Feminine Hygiene Products Market

The Global Feminine Hygiene Products Market had a value of USD 20.9 billion in 2023 and is estimated to reach USD 27.7 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.8% from 2023 to 2030. The market's growth is expected to be fueled by increased awareness among women about menstrual health and hygiene, higher disposable income among females, and the empowerment of women, all of which will contribute to its expansion worldwide.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the global feminine hygiene products market. COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. Its rapid spread has affected economies worldwide. The disease originated in Wuhan, China, in December 2021, and since then, it has had secondary effects on various industries, including the feminine hygiene products market.
A survey conducted by the Menstrual Health Alliance India revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic has severely disrupted access to feminine hygiene products. In India, over 82% of feminine hygiene product manufacturers had to halt operations due to social distancing measures and lockdowns. Conversely, a different trend was observed in the US, where the pandemic led to hoarding and disrupted the supply of feminine hygiene products. Women who relied on free feminine hygiene products from schools, social service centers, government health centers, and medical facilities also faced shortages due to the pandemic's impact.

Market Dynamics
Driver: Rising female literacy and awareness of menstrual health & hygiene

The correlation between literacy and health has been extensively studied and discussed in research and policy circles. It has been observed that as literacy rates increase, there is an improvement in feminine health and hygiene. Nowadays, women are paying more attention to hygiene and menstrual health due to their growing literacy levels. Many governmental organizations are actively working to enhance the literacy rates of women in underdeveloped and developing countries. The rise in female literacy is expected to have a positive impact on overall feminine health management and is directly linked to the adoption of feminine hygiene products. Consequently, the increasing female literacy rates are projected to drive the feminine hygiene products market.

Constraint: Social stigma surrounding menstruation and feminine hygiene products

The societal perception and stigma associated with menstruation pose a significant disadvantage for many women. Girls face stigma, harassment, and social exclusion during their menstrual cycle. As a result, some women resort to using traditional feminine hygiene products or completely avoid their usage. In rural areas, there are various misconceptions related to feminine hygiene products, such as the belief that they can cause diseases if disposed of with regular garbage. Women require access to feminine hygiene products and appropriate facilities to manage their menstruation. Unfortunately, these needs are often overlooked in rural areas, making menstruation a hindrance to community participation, education, and work life. Various social stigmas surrounding menstruation act as significant barriers to the growth of the feminine hygiene products market.

Opportunity: Development of eco-friendly feminine hygiene products

Several companies, such as Saathi, Carmesi, Heyday, Everteen, Purganic, and Aakar, are producing 100% biodegradable sanitary napkins. The market offers various alternatives, including fiber, jute fiber, banana fiber, and cellulose-based hydrogel, which can replace synthetic superabsorbent polymers. The utilization of natural absorbent materials can also help reduce the overall cost of sanitary napkins. Currently, the non-biodegradability of feminine hygiene products is a pressing environmental concern. However, the development of eco-friendly products, such as sanitary napkins made from natural fibers, presents a sustainable option for advancements in this market.

Challenge: Environmental impact of feminine hygiene products

Plastic disposable napkins have a detrimental impact on the environment, taking approximately 500-800 years to decompose completely. Thousands of tons of disposable sanitary napkin waste are generated globally each month, many of which end up in landfills or waterways, leading to soil infertility, groundwater pollution, and other severe problems. The environmental issues associated with feminine hygiene products pose a primary challenge to the growth of the market.

Based on nature, the disposable segment held the largest market share in 2021

In terms of nature, the disposable segment accounted for the largest market share in 2021. This segment includes feminine hygiene products such as sanitary napkins, tampons, and panty liners. These products are used for light menstrual flow, spotting, or vaginal discharge protection and maintaining cleanliness. Disposable feminine hygiene products are more easily accessible compared to reusable ones.

Based on type, the sanitary napkins segment held the largest market share in 2021

In terms of type, the sanitary napkins segment captured the largest share of the feminine hygiene products market in 2021. Sanitary napkins are worn externally and differ from tampons and menstrual cups, which are worn internally. The significant share of the sanitary napkins segment can be attributed to increased awareness compared to other feminine hygiene products, as well as their wide availability.

Asia Pacific dominated the feminine hygiene products market in 2021

Asia Pacific accounted for the largest share of the feminine hygiene products market in 2021. This dominance can be attributed to the high female population in countries such as India and China. The feminine hygiene products market in this region is driven by factors

Feminine Hygiene Products Market Players

Johnson & Johnson (US), Procter & Gamble (US), Kimberly-Clark (US), Essity Aktiebolag (publ) (Sweden), Kao Corporation (Japan), Daio Paper Corporation (Japan), Unicharm Corporation (Japan), Premier FMCG (South Africa), Ontex (Belgium), Hengan International Group Company Ltd. (China), Drylock Technologies (Belgium), Natracare LLC (US), First Quality Enterprises, Inc. (US), and Bingbing Paper Co., Ltd. (China) are some of the leading players operating in the feminine hygiene products market.

This research report categorizes the feminine hygiene products market based on nature, type and region and forecasts revenues as well as analyzes trends in each of these submarkets.
Based on the Nature:
• Disposable
• Reusable
Based on the Type
• Sanitary Napkins
• Tampons
• Panty Liners
• Menstrual Cups
Based on the Region
• Asia Pacific
• North America
• Europe
• Middle East & Africa
• South America

Recent Developments
• Ontex announced its plans for a new personal hygiene manufacturing plant in Rockingham County, North Carolina, USA, with production set to commence in mid-2019 (May 2021).
• Kimberly-Clark Corporation acquired Softex Indonesia in October 2020 to accelerate its growth in the personal care business segment throughout Southeast Asia.
• Procter & Gamble made an acquisition in February 2019 by purchasing this is L., a period care startup specializing in organic pads and tampons.
• Unicharm Corporation introduced the Sofy Chojukusui (ultra-sound sleep) Pant, a pant-type feminine napkin, in 2019.