For women, sanitary pads are a necessity and a necessary additional expense. Recently, the topic of "loose sanitary napkins" has firmly caught the public's attention and sparked widespread discussion, exposing the fact that women are not free to use sanitary napkins.

According to statistics, 40 million women worldwide are still experiencing menstrual poverty. Most of them come from poverty-stricken areas with backward concepts and economies, lacking knowledge of women's health. Faced with the monthly cost of tens of yuan for sanitary napkins, they hesitate and can only use rags, cotton socks, and even work paper as substitutes. This unhygienic practice is likely to breed gynecological diseases and even lead to death. For women who work hard in big cities, they have to pay rent, water and electricity, and also have to live. The cost of sanitary napkins is also a significant financial burden for them.

　　After the introduction of sanitary napkins to China in the 1980s, they have been developing rapidly for forty years, with more types and higher quality. Of course, the price has also been rising. The sanitary napkins produced by the initial paper factory cost 7 cents per pack, with 16 pieces per pack. Many women gave up buying them and chose to use paper and menstrual bands because the cost of paper per pack was only 1.7 cents, and the money for buying a pack of sanitary napkins could buy more than 4 packs of paper. At that time, most women would choose the latter for their livelihood. In the 21st century, there are still 40 million women worldwide who cannot afford sanitary napkins due to price issues.

   What is the price of sanitary napkins? According to reports, the cost of a high-quality 245mm daily sanitary napkin bare sheet is only 2.5 to 3 cents, and even with packaging fees, labor costs, and other factory prices added, it will not be too expensive, about 4 to 5 cents. After dealers increase prices layer by layer, the actual cost of sanitary napkins on the market is about one more piece, and even more expensive ones require 2-3 yuan per piece. The premium paid by distributors during the sales circulation stage is likely the main reason for the large price difference between the market price and the cost price. Especially for mid to high end brands that hire celebrities to endorse their hosts and advertise on television networks, product prices have also increased. However, due to the celebrity effect and brand image, sales volume has become even more substantial, and gross profit margins are also considerable. Low end brands with low prices will gradually disappear from the market due to their lack of competitiveness, and corresponding consumers can only choose alternative products, such as loose sanitary pads that are not guaranteed to be safe and hygienic.

    Currently, can women truly achieve "sanitary napkin freedom"? In reality, there is still a demand among some women for loose sanitary napkins, indicating that this road is still long. If sanitary pads can be added to the medical insurance team or included in poverty alleviation projects in the future, then women can truly achieve the freedom of sanitary pads on that day.