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Four entrepreneurs driving innovation in the menstrual health space.

They're championing sustainability and tackling stigma.

Menstrual Hygiene Day was created to drive awareness, tackle stigma, and highlight the importance of good menstrual hygiene management at a global level. It’s celebrated every year on May 28 — the 28th day of the fifth month, because most cycles are 28 days with 5 days of menstruation. We’re celebrating by highlighting entrepreneurs doing their part to change the conversation around menstrual health. 

Rachael Newton is the founder of nixit, a suction-free, made-in-Canada menstrual cup that is revolutionizing menstruation. Rachael started her career working as a lawyer for an investment bank for nine years before branching out on her own and starting nixit. As a progressive period care brand, nixit is helping to make using menstrual cups mainstream, and is also invested in changing and leading the conversation around menstruation.

LEARN MORE ABOUT RACHAEL >

Nadia Ladak is the founder of Marlow, a FemTech start-up that has developed the first-ever tampon and lubricant designed to be used together for a smoother, less painful insertion experience. She is passionate about empowering a generation of menstruators to prioritize their menstrual and sexual health by sparking conversations around these topics that are often awkward — although they shouldn’t be.

LEARN MORE ABOUT NADIA >

Kathryn Plouffe is the Co-Founder and CEO of Only, an online eco-retailer that provides affordable, organic, and eco-friendly period care products. Only is a company that offers consumers sustainable goods, offsets all carbon emissions, and shares a portion of its profits with local organizations that are dedicated to ending period poverty in Canada. Alongside their biodegradable organic cotton pads, liners, tampons, and medical-grade menstrual cup, Only also provides consumers with Canada’s first reusable tampon applicator, which is good for up to 10 years.

LEARN MORE ABOUT KATHRYN >

In 2003, fresh out of business school, 24-year-old Carinne Chambers-Saini set out to revolutionize the menstrual care industry. She teamed up with her mother, Francine Chambers, to create the DivaCup, a reusable silicone menstrual cup that collects rather than absorbs menstrual flow. Alternative period care was far from the mainstream at that time, but the duo never gave up — today, DivaCup is sold in 60,000 stores in more than 30 countries.   

LEARN MORE ABOUT CARINNE >