If you’ve ever scanned a pack of pads and noticed the phrase “odour control technology,” you’re not alone. It sounds reassuring, even clever - like someone’s thought about how to keep you feeling fresh.
But here’s the thing: that phrase doesn’t actually tell you what’s going on under the surface.
In this blog, we explain what odour control technology in pads often refers to, what it might involve, and why that matters when you’re choosing period care.
What “odour control technology” is supposed to do.
Pads don’t automatically smell. Menstrual blood itself isn’t strongly odorous. Any odour usually comes from the interaction of fluid with bacteria, air, and the materials a pad is made from.
So when a pad claims to have odour control technology, it’s generally referring to one (or more) of the following approaches:
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Added fragrances designed to mask odour.
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Antimicrobial agents intended to reduce or control bacteria.
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Absorbent substances that trap odorous compounds.
The phrase sounds scientific. But it doesn’t tell you which approach is being used. or what materials are involved.
And that lack of clarity is the Bloody Fine Print.
What might sit behind the words.
Here are the ingredients and technologies that can be hidden behind “odour control technology”:
Fragrances
Fragrances are among the most common ways brands try to mask odour. They don’t remove odour at the source - they simply try to cover it up.
But fragrance chemicals are some of the most common causes of allergic contact dermatitis in cosmetic and hygiene products. A 2021 clinical review found that fragrance exposure is a leading trigger for skin irritation and allergic reactions, especially for sensitive skin.
In the context of menstrual pads - which sit against some of the most delicate tissue on the body - that’s a material consumers arguably deserve to know about.
Silver (Antimicrobial Actions)
Some period products use silver-based antimicrobial treatments as part of “odour control technology”. Silver works by killing bacteria, which is why it’s used in medical settings like wound dressings. But periods aren’t infections, and vulvas aren’t wounds. Using antimicrobial agents on healthy, intimate tissue - often for hours at a time and on repeat - raises questions about necessity, especially when there’s no clear evidence that menstrual blood needs antibacterial intervention in the first place.
Silver is also non-selective. It doesn’t just target odour-causing bacteria; it can disrupt normal microbial balance and persist in the environment once washed away. Despite this, the use of silver is often hidden behind vague language rather than clearly disclosed on packaging.
We don’t believe antimicrobial technology should be used by default, or without consent. If a product relies on silver to work, people deserve to be told and to decide for themselves whether that’s something they want near their vulva.
Charcoal (Absorption of odour)
Activated charcoal is another ingredient sometimes used to help control odour because it can trap odorous compounds on its surface. It’s widely used in medical dressings and filters for its odour-absorbing properties.
But like fragrances and silver, charcoal might be referenced only as part of a catchy marketing phrase like “odour control technology,” with no clear disclosure of what it is unless you dig.
Why this matters.
There are three reasons this kind of language deserves scrutiny:
1. It doesn’t tell you what’s in the product
Marketing phrases like “odour control technology” describe function - not composition.
They don’t tell you whether odour control is achieved with fragrances, silver compounds, charcoal, or something else entirely.
If a product’s performance claim isn’t backed up by transparent listing of materials, how can you compare one product to another?
2. Some components can irritate sensitive skin
As referenced above, scientific reviews show that:
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Fragrance chemicals are a leading cause of contact allergy and irritation.
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Vulvar and vaginal tissues are more susceptible to allergens and irritation than other body areas.
Without clear ingredient disclosure, people are left guessing what they’re exposing themselves to and whether it’s something that might trigger irritation.
3. This level of ambiguity wouldn’t be acceptable elsewhere
Imagine picking up a bottle of shampoo that said:
“Hair comfort technology.”
No ingredients list.
No explanation of what’s inside.
Just reassurance.
You’d expect more detail because it goes on your body.
Pads sit against some of the most absorbent, sensitive tissue on the body for hours. Yet the regulatory environment allows these products to avoid full ingredient disclosure.
That difference is exactly the kind of double standard the Bloody Fine Print campaign exists to highlight.
What transparency should look like.
At Mooncup, we don’t stop at phrases like “odour control technology.”
We tell you exactly what our pads are made from - not just how they function.
For example:
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We don’t use added fragrances — because your vulva doesn’t need masking agents.
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Instead, we prioritise breathable materials and design choices that reduce odour without unnecessary additives.
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Every ingredient is clearly listed, with no umbrella terms.
This isn’t because we’re legally required to do it. It’s because we think consumers deserve the information that most products deny them.
This isn’t about fear.
We’re not saying that odour control ingredients are universally unsafe. We’re not declaring all pads problematic.
We’re simply saying this: you can’t make an informed choice if you don’t know what’s in a product.
“Odour control technology” sounds like an answer. It isn’t.
It’s a marketing phrase and often one that obscures more than it clarifies.
Blog disclaimer
Our blog is intended to share information and ideas around periods, health, and sustainability. While we do our best to keep content accurate and up to date, things can change over time. The information here is not intended as medical advice — for any health-related concerns, please consult a qualified healthcare professional. For more information on our claims, please see our Claims Page, and for the most up-to-date product information, please visit our Product Pages.
