“It’s something that people don’t feel comfortable talking about, and that’s maybe an indication of why it hasn’t gotten enough attention,” said Hsu, assistant professor of biological sciences.

Matter, Hsu and his team, which includes postdoctoral associates Rogerio Bataglioli and Harsimran Kaur that led the project, have created an eco-friendly, blood absorbent biomaterial that improves the performance of menstrual products by minimizing blood leakage and spilling, while also helping prevent infection. Their work was published in the journal Matter.

Menstrual products have evolved little during the last century. The primary products available today were developed nearly 100 years ago: the disposable menstrual pad in 1888, the tampon in 1933, and the menstrual cup in 1937.