Nguvu Collective has conducted a comprehensive survey involving over 9,500 respondents to assess the performance of 19 popular sanitary pad brands in Kenya.
For far too long, discussions around menstrual health have been dominated by institutions and manufacturers, often without truly considering the voices of the people who experience menstruation firsthand.
Therefore, the 2025 survey changes that narrative by placing the experiences and opinions of women and girls at the center of the conversation.
Participants rated the brands based on six crucial quality dimensions: adhesive strength, material composition, skin irritation, absorbency, odor control, and overall user experience.
Moreover, the report highlights the top-performing brands and identifies those that fall short, offering essential insights into the products that truly meet the needs of Kenyan women and those that need improvement.
According to Nguvu Collective, the report ensures that the views of women help define what quality, sufficiency, and affordability truly mean in the context of menstrual hygiene products.
Also Read: Breaking Barriers: How Rebecca Mwenje is Changing Menstrual Hygiene in Kenya
Nguvu Collective Report Ranks Sanitary Pads
1. Adhesive Quality
Adhesive strength determines how well a pad stays in place during use.
Brands like Always (76.4%), Kotex (70.8%), and Flora (68.5%) emerged as top performers with the highest “Good” ratings. On the other hand, Wings (24.4%), Sunny Girl (20.1%), and Femi Style (24.4%) were rated poorly for adhesive strength.
2. Nature of Material
Under this category, Dada Care (96.7%), My Girl (96.2%), Molped (92.2%), and Kotex (92.8%) were rated as having soft material by over 90% of respondents.
In contrast, Marvel (36.2%) and Kottonie (29.7%) had a significant percentage of users describing them as rough.
3. Skin Irritation
On the other hand, Flora (73.3%), Nia (70.9%), Kotex (70.3%), and Molped (69%) had the highest percentage of users reporting no irritation.
However, brands like Kottonie (22.4%), Poise (23.4%), and Wings (32.9%) had more users experiencing significant irritation.
4. Absorbency
Kotex (65.8%), Always (65.1%), and Flora (64.2%) topped the charts for high absorbency.
Brands like Marvel (24.5%), Sunny Girl (24.1%), and Wings (28.8%) were rated as having low absorbency.
5. Odour Control
Odour control is another factor influencing comfort. Flora (79.2%), Kotex (77.5%), and Always (67.8%) received the highest ratings for good odour control.
Sunny Girl (16%) and Wings (17.1%) stood out as brands with more users reporting poor odour control.
Also Read: Taxation on Sanitary Pads Is a Gamble With Menstruation
Overall Best and Poorly Rated Pads
Top overall performing brands included Kotex, Always, and Flora, which were consistently ranked among the best across nearly all categories.
On the other hand, emerging brands to watch according to the respondents include Dada Care and Molped, which showed promising results, especially in comfort and skin safety.
However, Sunny Girl, Wings, and Femi Style had lower satisfaction scores across several indicators, especially with irritation, absorbency, and adhesive quality.
According to the Nguvu collective, women possess an intimate understanding of their bodies and menstrual cycles, making their perspectives essential in determining the quality of sanitary products.
The survey revealed that 53% of respondents consider absorbency to be the most important factor when choosing sanitary pads, followed by 48% who prioritize comfort, and 44% who focus on skin sensitivity.
However, the survey also pointed out a disparity in product quality across regions, especially in African markets, where compliance with health standards often falls short compared to Western countries.
In addition, 32% of respondents highlighted the importance of leak protection, underscoring the need for more effective and secure products.
Despite the importance of product quality, the survey also reveals a gap in the availability and sufficiency of sanitary products. For example, 41% of those receiving pads through the government’s Sanitary Towels Program felt the supply was insufficient.
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