What Women Should Know About Period Care Products | Blush & Bloom Podcast | Ep. 5

Gigi
Jul 26
4 min read

What do you actually know about your period products?

If you’re like most women, you’ve used the same pads or tampons for years, without ever questioning what they’re made of, how they affect your health, or what alternatives might exist.

In this episode of Blush and Bloom, I sat down with Faith Chuby Labija, the founder and CEO of ChuChu Softies, to talk about exactly that.

Faith started her menstrual care company in university, sewing cloth pads by hand in her dorm room.

Today, she runs an award-winning FemHealth brand in West Africa that’s changing how we think about comfort, dignity, and safety in period care.

This conversation explores the ingredients in our products, the shame many girls still carry, and why it’s time for younger African women to shape the future of health, not just be passive users in it.

In This Episode, We Cover:

✨ Why Faith started ChuChu Softies and how it began with scraps of cloth sewn in her dorm room

✨ The hidden chemicals in many mainstream pads and why women deserve safer options

✨ The difference between charcoal-infused pads, cotton reusable pads, and highly absorbent disposables

✨ How stigma and shame shape how periods are discussed in Africa and what needs to change

✨ The role of AI in women’s health education and what tools Faith sees helping the most

✨ Learning to rest as a founder and recovering from burnout

✨ Why menstrual education should include boys too

✨ The importance of building with your users, not just for them

From Dorm Room to Impact

ChuChu Softies started in a university dorm room with a basic prototype made from cloth. Faith didn’t know how to thread a sewing machine, but she knew the problem: girls around her were using unsafe alternatives during their periods because they couldn’t afford quality products.

Over time, with the support of mentors and collaborative partnerships, ChuChu Softies evolved into a company that now offers both reusable and disposable sanitary pads, designed with user feedback, cultural context, and health in mind.

What’s in Your Pads?

Faith explained that many women still don’t know what’s in their sanitary products. Chemical irritants, poor absorbency, and synthetic materials can lead to infections and long-term health problems.

That’s why ChuChu Softies pads are either:

Charcoal-infused reusable pads that reduce odor and protect against infection
Cotton-based reusable pads that are soft, natural, and breathable
Highly absorbent disposable pads that offer comfort and convenience without compromising on quality

Each product comes with simple usage instructions—because

health education is just as important as the product itself.

Talking About Periods—Without Shame

One of the most powerful moments in this episode was when Faith said:

"A girl stained with period blood will be treated with more disgust than someone with pus leaking from a wound."

This speaks volumes about how deeply embedded stigma still is. Faith argues that menstruation should be treated like any other biological function.

That means educating boys and men, rethinking school curricula, and giving women the freedom to speak openly about what their bodies are going through, without shame.

Using AI to Support Women's Health

Though ChuChu Softies currently operates as a fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) company, Faith is also passionate about tech.

She sees huge potential for AI tools to improve health education and accessibility. Tools like Lola AI, she said, make it easier for women to get fast, nonjudgmental answers about their symptoms.

She envisions a future where more women can use their phones to ask questions like, “Why is my period dark brown this month?” and get instant, trustworthy answers, especially in places where talking to a doctor isn’t always an option.

Rest Isn’t Quitting

Like many early-stage founders, Faith faced burnout. At one point, she thought she wanted to quit, until her coach recognized it for what it was: exhaustion. Taking three to four months off was one of the hardest but most healing decisions she made. It reminded her (and all of us) that rest is essential to sustainability.

"If you don’t take small breaks, your body will eventually force you to take a big one."

Lessons from the Field: Listen to the People You Serve

One of the most powerful lessons Faith learned was the value of listening. Feedback from women helped ChuChu Softies develop two core versions of their reusable pads.

Some women preferred charcoal; others preferred plain cotton. Instead of deciding for them, the company offered both.

The product didn’t need to be perfect from the start—it needed to be responsive.

Advice for Future FemHealth Builders

To other young African women looking to solve real problems, Faith says:

"Believe in your idea enough to turn naysayers into supporters. And build directly with the people you want to serve. They’ll guide you to the right solution."

And if you’re met with skepticism? Don’t be afraid to educate. Many people give feedback from their own limited understanding. Help them see your perspective.

About Our Guest: Faith Chuby Labija

Faith Chuby Labija is the founder and CEO of ChuChu Softies, a FemHealth startup that has won over five international awards in 2023. With a passion for technology and artificial intelligence, she has participated and excelled in various AI-inspired competitions, earning multiple accolades.

Her goal is to empower women and girls to achieve their full potential and well-being. When not working on her startup or studies, she enjoys daydreaming about her dream trip to Qatar.

Connect with Faith: LinkedIn

Resources & Links

Follow ChuChu Softies on Instagram
Find them on LinkedIn
Check out the ChuChu Softies website
Explore menstrual health education tools and resources (on the Asele website! :) )