Period Products Through History

Periods have been part of human life for as long as humans have existed, yet for much of history, menstruation has been hidden, whispered about or treated as something to quietly “deal with”.

Thankfully, period products have come a very long way.

From reusable cloths and sanitary belts to tampons, adhesive pads, menstrual cups, period pants and discreet disposal bags, the way we manage periods has evolved alongside changes in design, culture, education, sustainability and body confidence.

But while the products have changed, one thing has remained surprisingly overlooked: what happens after a product has been used?

That is where modern period care needs to go next.

Today, we have more choice than ever. Pads, tampons, cups, discs, reusable pads, period pants and organic options all give people more control over what works for their body, lifestyle and values. But every period still comes with a practical question that rarely gets the attention it deserves:

How do we dispose of period products responsibly, hygienically and without embarrassment?

At The Fab Bag Company, we believe period care is not only about what you use. It is also about how confidently, comfortably and responsibly you can manage your period wherever life takes you.

Early period management: cloth, washing and silence

Before commercial period products existed, many people used what was available to them. This often meant cloth, linen, wool, moss, rags or other absorbent natural materials.

According to the V&A, woven fabric and flannel were commonly used in Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries to make homemade cloth pads. These could be washed and reused, which made them economical, but they were not always hygienic or easy to manage, especially away from home.

For thousands of years, period care was practical, private and often unsupported. There were no handy emergency pads in a school toilet. No discreet handbag pack. No workplace dispenser. No open conversations about what to do if your period arrived unexpectedly.

And, of course, there was no neat little bag to help you dispose of a used pad or tampon when there was no bin.

The arrival of commercial period products

By the late 19th century, the first commercially available disposable pads started to appear.

The V&A notes that Johnson & Johnson released Lister’s Towels in 1896, which are thought to be among the first disposable pads sold commercially. They were made from cotton and gauze and were designed to be attached to a sanitary belt.

This was a big shift. For the first time, period care was becoming something people could buy, rather than make or improvise at home.

But social attitudes had not caught up.

Menstruation was still surrounded by shame and euphemism. Products were often advertised in secretive, coded ways. Buying them could feel embarrassing. Using them could feel embarrassing. Talking about them was often out of the question.

It is easy to look back and think how far away that world feels. Yet many people still know the modern version of that same awkwardness: wrapping a used tampon in layers of toilet paper, searching for a bin, worrying about smell, or feeling forced to “handbag smuggle” a used product out of a toilet.

That is exactly the kind of everyday problem FabLittleBag was designed to solve.

Sanitary belts: the forgotten period product

For much of the 20th century, sanitary belts were a major part of period care.

These belts usually had clips at the front and back, allowing a pad or towel to be secured in place. They were widely used before adhesive pads became common.

To us now, that may sound uncomfortable and inconvenient, but for many people at the time, it was one of the few available options. It also reminds us that period innovation has always been about more than absorbency. It has been about movement, confidence, dignity and freedom.

Every improvement in period products has helped people do more of the things they wanted to do: go to school, go to work, travel, play sport, socialise, sleep better and feel less restricted.

That same thinking still matters today.

Whether someone is heading to work, school, the gym, a festival, a long walk, a friend’s house or a sports match, period care should not make them feel limited. A simple product like The Fab 45 with carry case can help make responsible disposal easier when you are away from home.

Tampons and the rise of discreet period care

Modern tampons, as we recognise them today, began to appear in the early 20th century. The V&A notes that Tampax was founded in 1934, shortly after Earle Haas patented the modern tampon.

Tampons changed period management because they gave people another option, especially for swimming, sport and movement. But they also came with a strong cultural message: periods should be invisible.

For decades, period product advertising often focused on secrecy. No leaks. No one knowing. No visible signs. No awkward conversations.

Of course, many people do want discretion. There is nothing wrong with wanting privacy. The problem is when discretion becomes shame.

At Fab, we believe there is a difference between privacy and embarrassment.

You should be able to change and dispose of a period product discreetly if that is what makes you comfortable. But you should not be made to feel ashamed for having a period in the first place.

That is why FabLittleBags are opaque, seal closed and are easy to use. They are not about hiding periods because periods are shameful. They are about giving people a clean, simple and confident way to dispose of period products in real life.

Adhesive pads and the end of the sanitary belt

In 1969, the first adhesive pads were introduced by Stayfree. This was another major turning point.

Pads no longer needed to be clipped to a belt. They could be attached directly to underwear, making them easier and more comfortable to use. By the 1970s and 1980s, disposable adhesive pads became a familiar part of period care for many people.

This changed everyday period management. It made period products easier to use at school, at work and while out and about.

But it also created another growing issue: waste.

Disposable pads and tampons are convenient, but they need to be disposed of properly. Flushing them can contribute to blocked pipes, polluted waterways and environmental harm. Even products that feel small can cause problems when they enter systems they were never designed for.

The solution is simple: bin, do not flush.

Our Fab 125 with carry case is designed for anyone who wants to stay stocked up at home, at work, in a shared bathroom or while travelling, making responsible disposal easier to build into everyday life.

Menstrual cups, period pants and reusable options

More recently, reusable period care has become more mainstream.

Menstrual cups have a longer history than many people realise. The Science Museum notes that the first menstrual cup was patented in 1937 by Leona Chalmers and made from rubber. Modern cups are usually made from medical grade silicone and collect, rather than absorb, menstrual blood.

Period pants and reusable pads have also become more popular, especially for people looking to reduce waste or find an option that feels more comfortable for them.

This is an important part of period product evolution because it gives people more choice. Some people prefer pads. Some prefer tampons. Some use cups. Some use period pants. Some mix and match depending on their flow, plans, body, age, budget or access to facilities.

There is no single “right” period product for everyone.

What matters is that people can choose what suits them and manage their period without stress, shame or practical barriers.

And even with reusable products, disposal still matters. You may still need to dispose of wipes, liners, wrappers, tissues or emergency disposable products. You may need to carry something home. You may be in a toilet with no bin. You may be outdoors, travelling, at school or using shared facilities.

That is why modern period care is not just about what product you use. It is about being prepared for the whole experience.

For anyone who wants a ready-to-go option, the Fab Period Bag Essential includes FabLittleBags, a reusable carry case and period products, making it a practical kit for life on the move.

Period care outside the home

One of the biggest changes in period product history is not just the product itself. It is where people are expected to use it.

Today, people manage periods at school, work, sports clubs, hotels, festivals, campsites, planes, trains, gyms and public toilets. That means period care cannot be designed only for a private bathroom at home.

It needs to work in the real world.

That might mean:

• a pad in a school blazer pocket
• a tampon in a gym bag
• a menstrual cup in a public toilet
• a spare pair of period pants in an overnight bag
• a disposal bag in a handbag, changing room or workplace cubicle

The more we talk about periods as normal, the easier it becomes to design spaces that actually support people.

That is also why workplaces, schools, hotels, gyms and sports clubs have such an important role to play. Providing period products is a brilliant step. But providing a way to dispose of them responsibly is just as important.

A FabLittleBag Dispenser or Dispenser Starter Kit can help make toilets feel more thoughtful, practical and period supportive.

From hiding periods to supporting people

The history of period products tells us a lot about how society has viewed menstruation.

For a long time, the focus was secrecy. Products were marketed around hiding evidence, avoiding embarrassment and keeping periods invisible.

Now, the conversation is changing.

People are asking better questions:

• Are products comfortable?
• Are they accessible?
• Are they affordable?
• Are they sustainable?
• Are they suitable for sport, school and work?
• Are toilets properly equipped?
• Are we teaching responsible disposal?
• Are we helping people feel confident rather than ashamed?

That shift matters.

At The Fab Bag Company, our mission is to help turn flushers into binners, protect rivers and oceans, and give people a cleaner, calmer way to dispose of period products.

We believe small details can make a big difference. A bin that is easy to use. A product that seals closed. A bag that is opaque. A dispenser in the right place. A coach who says, “This is here if you need it.” A school toilet that feels prepared. A workplace that has thought about real bodies and real needs.

These are the small things that help people feel considered.

The next chapter of period products

So, where does period care go next?

The future is likely to be about more choice, better materials, improved education, more inclusive design and stronger sustainability.

But it should also be about something very simple: confidence.

Confidence to carry on with your day.
Confidence to change wherever you are.
Confidence to bin, not flush.
Confidence to talk about periods without shame.
Confidence to know that schools, clubs, venues and workplaces have thought about your needs.

Period products have evolved enormously, from cloth pads and sanitary belts to tampons, adhesive pads, cups, period pants and discreet disposal solutions.

Now, the next step is making responsible disposal part of the conversation.

Because period care does not end when you choose a product. It ends when you can dispose of it easily, hygienically and responsibly.

Explore our period disposal products, find a handy Personal Period Bag, or learn more about becoming part of the Period Supportive Movement.

No stress. No mess. Just better period care for real life.

Sources

Victoria and Albert Museum: Sanitary suspenders to Mooncups: a brief history of menstrual products
Science Museum: Menstruation and modern materials
Smithsonian National Museum of American History: Introducing the MUM Menstrual History Collection
The Fab Bag Company: Our Mission