Title: Why are menstrual pads scented like lavender fields? Genuine question.

Okay I have to ask this because every time I walk down the feminine care aisle I feel like I’m in the candle section of Target.

Why are pads scented.

Like… who decided the vulva needed to smell like “summer breeze meadow” during a biological process?

As a physician, this one always makes me pause.

Here’s the wild part:

• The global feminine hygiene market is over $40 BILLION
• For decades, companies added fragrance to pads mainly to mask normal menstrual odor
• Meanwhile, studies show up to 75% of women will experience vulvovaginal irritation at some point in their life

And fragranced products are a very common trigger.

The vulva is actually thin, highly absorbent skin. When companies list “fragrance” or “parfum,” that can represent dozens of undisclosed chemicals.

Translation: your pad might contain more mystery ingredients than your face moisturizer.

One patient of mine had what she thought were “recurrent infections.” She’d tried everything. Turns out she had recently switched to extra-fresh scented pads because she was worried about odor during long shifts.

We removed the fragranced products. Her symptoms disappeared. No meds. Just biology being allowed to do its thing.

Here’s the reality:

Your body is not supposed to smell like lavender Febreze during menstruation.

Menstrual blood has a mild scent because it’s… well… blood and tissue. Totally normal.

If anything, the better move is:

• fragrance-free pads
• breathable materials
• fewer ingredients touching sensitive skin

Your vagina already runs a very sophisticated self-cleaning system.

It does not need perfume.

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— Dr. Joan A., Physician & Founder