Smart Feminine Hygiene Products: Herbal & Sustainable Innovations
Corresponding author: [email protected]
Abstract
The growing emphasis on women's health, environmental sustainability, and technological advancement has transformed the field of feminine hygiene. Traditional menstrual hygiene products, while effective, often raise concerns regarding skin compatibility, environmental pollution, and long-term sustainability. This chapter explores the evolution of feminine hygiene products by integrating herbal therapeutics, biodegradable biomaterials, and smart digital technologies to create safer, eco-friendly, and personalized healthcare solutions. It highlights the physiological and microbiological aspects of female reproductive health and discusses the role of appropriate hygiene practices throughout different stages of life. Particular attention is given to medicinal plant-derived ingredients such as neem, aloe vera, turmeric, chamomile, and tea tree, which possess antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and soothing properties that improve product safety and user comfort. The chapter also examines sustainable natural fibers and biodegradable polymers that reduce environmental burden while maintaining product performance. Emerging innovations, including biosensor-enabled sanitary products, wearable health monitoring systems, artificial intelligence-based menstrual tracking, and smartphone-assisted healthcare platforms, are reviewed for their potential to revolutionize menstrual health management, alongside considerations related to formulation, quality control, regulatory compliance, consumer acceptance, and environmental impact.
Author Affiliations
- 1 Students, Department of Pharmaceutics, Sandip Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (SIPS), Nashik, Maharashtra, India.