Somewhere along the way, we started believing that irritation was just part of the deal. That the itching, the rashes, the sticky discomfort, they’re all just minor trade-offs for wearing sanitary pads.
But here’s the truth: irritation isn’t normal. It’s a compromise in disguise. One that we’ve silently accepted for way too long.
Most of us never got the memo that pads could feel different…softer, safer, actually comfortable. Because period pad comfort should be a guarantee. That’s why, at Nua, we’re not just promising Zero Irritation, we’re rewriting what “normal” should feel like.
Wait… So Sanitary Pads Aren’t Supposed to Be Irritating?
Nope. Not even a little bit. But most of us don’t grow up knowing this. We use whatever sanitary pads are handed to us. We’re told to love pads that come in pretty coloured packaging and smell fabulous. We believe the rashes are because our skin is “sensitive.” We think sweating down there is just part of the process. That sticky, plasticky discomfort that makes you sit weird in your seat? We call it normal.
It didn’t seem worth questioning, especially when every brand felt the same and no one around us seemed to complain out loud.
In short, we blame our bodies. We rarely question the pad itself. But irritation isn’t some natural side effect of menstruation. According to research, it’s the result of poor pad design: harsh top sheets, chemical-laced fragrances, zero breathability, and bulky layers that trap heat and rub against your skin.
And the worst part? We got so used to it, we didn’t even think it could be different.
But How Did Irritating Sanitary Pads Become the Norm?
Because they’re packaged to look like progress. Slick branding, soft colours, floral scents, all carefully designed to make period products seem less “embarrassing” and more socially acceptable. And to be fair, that intention wasn’t entirely misplaced. In a society where pads are still sold wrapped in newspaper or slipped into black plastic bags, trying to make periods feel “normal” through softer, cleaner-looking products did feel like a step forward.
But did it really achieve what it set out to? The truth is, while the packaging evolved, what was inside didn’t keep pace. Behind the glossy wrappers are pads made with materials our skin doesn’t actually agree with.
A study found that 72.8% of pad users reported skin irritation and that some pad materials caused so much chafing that people found it hard to walk, especially when pads stayed damp. That’s not just uncomfortable, it’s unacceptable.
But why are pads made this way? Well, it is to make them cheaper and more appealing. Many companies rely on synthetic top layers made from plastics like polypropylene or polyethylene (the same materials used in packaging and bottle caps). These layers don’t allow airflow. Instead, they trap sweat and heat against your skin, leading to discomfort, rashes, and itching.
Then comes the chemical extras: artificial fragrances, harsh adhesives, bleached pulp and dyes. What we don’t see is what these things do to our bodies. They cause contact dermatitis, yeast infections, and even contribute to long-term hormone disruption.
None of this is openly talked about. So we keep using them. And irritation quietly becomes part of the deal.
Why Do We Just Accept Irritating Sanitary Pads?
Blame the silence around menstruation.
Most of us are raised to keep pads hidden. Slide them up our sleeves. Mute the sound of the wrapper in public bathrooms. This hush-hush attitude translated into how we treat discomfort, too.
That silence doesn’t just cover the existence of periods. It covers the experience, too.
When something itches or burns, we don’t ask why. We think, “Maybe this is just how it’s supposed to feel.” When a rash shows up, we power through. When we shift uncomfortably in our seats, we chalk it up to normal period discomfort.
It becomes second nature to downplay pain and push through irritation because periods are always framed as something inconvenient, even embarrassing. We’re told to just “deal with it.”
And brands? They don’t help either. Most focus on hiding periods: leak-proof, stain-free, ultra-thin, super-absorbent features that say, “Let’s make sure no one sees you have your period.” But very few stop to ask how you feel while wearing a pad. No one tells you discomfort isn’t normal. Rashes aren’t listed as side effects.
So we live with it. We itch, we chafe and we adjust. Quietly. We accepted irritation because we thought we had to.
But we don’t need to…not anymore. When you know better, you can demand better. That’s what gave birth to Nua’s Zero Irritation promise.
Nua’s Zero Irritation Promise: What it Means and What Makes it Possible?
At Nua, Zero Irritation is not just about removing discomfort. It’s about removing the idea that it was ever supposed to be there in the first place. Basically? No compromise.
And we made it possible by designing our Complete Comfort Sanitary Pads. From ultra-soft, cotton-like top sheets to breathable, chemical-free materials, every Nua pad is made to feel like it was designed with your skin in the room.
In fact, the shape of Nua pads was specially designed keeping Indian bodies in mind. We didn’t just use standard pre-existing pad machines. Instead, we spent months researching, testing, and refining, with real feedback from dermatologists and users, to create tools that would make the pad truly suited to Indian women. This thoughtful design helped us get the fit just right and significantly reduce the chances of chafing or rashes.
Because that’s what comfort is. Not a bonus. Not a luxury. But a non-negotiable right.
Why Do We Believe that the Zero Irritation Promise is Non-negotiable?
Think about it. This is a product that sits snug against the most sensitive part of your body for hours at a time, for several days, every month. Would you accept burning, itching, sweating, or synthetic friction anywhere else on your body? Then why during your period?
Discomfort isn’t just a nuisance. It chips away at your confidence, your ability to move freely, sleep well, focus at work, and even feel okay in your body. It adds a mental load and becomes a quiet stressor.
That’s why zero irritation isn’t a nice-to-have feature. It’s the absolute bare minimum we should expect from sanitary pads. Therefore, at Nua, every pad we make is rooted in one question: how can we make periods feel less like a burden?
The result? Pads that feel like your skin were part of the design brief from the start. No rashes, itching, or a constant feeling of discomfort down there.
So, are you someone who’s ready to unlearn pad irritation? Are you ready to change the story? Comment and let us know!
