A recent study from the University of the Free State has sparked fresh conversation around menstrual health products in South Africa. The research detected endocrine-disrupting chemicals in sanitary pads and pantyliners sold locally, raising questions about long-term exposure and product safety.
Around the same time, media personality Lerato Kganyago promoted her own sanitary pad brand on social media, encouraging South African women to support the locally produced product. The timing quickly drew attention online, with some users discussing both developments in the same breath.
What the UFS study found
According to the university, researchers tested a range of sanitary pads and pantyliners available in South Africa. The study identified the presence of endocrine-disrupting chemicals, including certain phthalates, bisphenols, and parabens.
The researchers noted that while the levels detected varied, repeated and prolonged exposure to such chemicals through intimate products warrants further attention and regulation. The findings have contributed to a broader national conversation about transparency in menstrual health manufacturing.
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Lerato’s brand and the online reaction
Kganyago has expanded her portfolio in recent years to include lifestyle and beauty ventures, and her menstrual pad brand forms part of that entrepreneurial journey. In promoting the product, she positioned it as a proudly South African option aimed at serving local women.
As news of the UFS findings circulated, some social media users began referencing the study while discussing her brand. Others focused on supporting local female-owned businesses. The online discussion reflects how closely South Africans follow both celebrity ventures and issues affecting women’s health.
@privatechef_cyclistmello @leratokganyago ♬ original sound – privatechef_cyclistmello
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A growing spotlight on menstrual health
The overlap of a university study and a celebrity product launch has brought menstrual health into sharper public focus. In South Africa, access to safe and affordable sanitary products remains an important issue, particularly for young girls and women in under-resourced communities.
While the UFS research centres on chemical exposure in products sold nationally, Kganyago’s promotion highlights the increasing number of local brands entering the market. Together, these developments have encouraged more South Africans to ask questions about what goes into the products they use every month.
For many, the conversation is less about personalities and more about standards, safety, and informed choice. As awareness grows, so too does the demand for clarity in an industry that touches millions of women across the country.
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Source: Briefly News
Featured Image: News24
