Bataglioli, Rogerio AparecidoKaur, HarsimranMuller, JohnGeddes, ElizabethChampine, CarrieHsu, Bryan B.2024-07-112024-07-112024-07-10https://hdl.handle.net/10919/120644Adequately managing menstruation is an important factor in the overall quality of life for women. With a growing discussion of the global need for its improvement, it is clear that better management of menstruation can positively influence social, educational, and professional outcomes. Herein, we describe a biopolymer-based formulation that gels blood in a mechanism alternative to coagulation. We first tested several biopolymer mixtures with blood and quantified increases in viscosity, finding that high-molecular-weight alginate in combination with glycerol could rapidly absorb and gel blood. We then demonstrated that this powder could be deployed both as a traditional menstrual pad filler and as an additive to menstrual cups to reduce leakage and spillage, respectively. Finally, we include an antimicrobial polymer to impair the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium associated with toxic shock syndrome. Collectively, our work describes a biodegradable formulation derived from renewable resources that can improve menstrual care.application/pdfenWomen's healthMensesPeriodMenstruationmenorrhagiaArticle - Refereedhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.matt.2024.06.028