A scientific discovery could lead to leak-free period products
Polymers from algae can turn menstrual blood into a gel
![Illustration of a woman sunbathing on a towel that is in the shape of a menstrual pad](https://www.economist.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1424,quality=80,format=auto/content-assets/images/20240713_STD002.jpg)
BLEEDING THROUGH a tampon or pad never makes for a good time. The risk of leaks is annoying and stressful for all women who bleed, and especially for the 20% to 30% whose menstrual flow is so heavy that they sometimes must change their tampons or pads every hour. Some dread leaving their homes for fear of getting caught out.
This article appeared in the Science & technology section of the print edition under the headline “Against the flow”
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