His Sister’s Period Struggles Sparked This Startup. Now, 6 Lakh Women Have Used Its Product

A reusable period panty is underwear designed to collect and hold menstrual flow. It matters because it can reduce dependence on disposable products, frequent changes, and the risk of leaks during long days. GoPadFree was created for people who may not have convenient access to clean washrooms.

GoPadFree is worn as ordinary underwear, without a pad, tampon, or menstrual cup. Its absorbent design holds menstrual fluid inside the panty. HealthFab tested prototypes with friends and family and changed the absorbency, weight, and comfort. The team tried 60 permutations and combinations before choosing its final design.

One panty absorbs up to 30 ml and can be worn for up to 12 hours, according to the article. It is made from soft, breathable cotton and can be washed and reused up to 50 times. The product is BIS-certified and free from PFAS and more than 250 other harmful substances.

GoPadFree is designed to manage menstrual flow during extended periods without a change. Its capacity is important for people facing heavy flow, long workdays, or limited access to clean washrooms. The article compares it with a regular sanitary pad to show the difference in absorbency.

The panty absorbs up to 30 ml of menstrual fluid. A regular sanitary pad absorbs about 6 ml, so GoPadFree has five times that stated capacity. HealthFab says it can be worn for up to 12 hours. The product was developed through 60 prototype permutations, with testing focused on absorbency, weight, and comfort.

After use, GoPadFree can be washed and reused up to 50 times. HealthFab says this could replace hundreds of disposable pads over two years. The basic variant starts at Rs 549, while other styles cost more. Actual wear time may depend on an individual’s flow, but the article gives 12 hours as the product’s maximum.

Kiriti Acharjee discovered that his sister, a government school teacher in Assam, missed work for four to five days every month because of her periods. During her eight- to nine-hour school day, she lacked a hygienic place to change pads and needed a product that lasted longer. Her experience made a private menstrual challenge visible to her family.

Kiriti, an engineer in Bengaluru, discussed the problem with Sourav Chakrabarty and Satyajit Chakraborty. They had also seen women close to them face heavy flow, leaks, rashes, and frequent pad changes. Satyajit’s sister, who has schizophrenia, sometimes forgot to change her pad or remember that she was menstruating, leaving her family worried about leaks.

In January 2020, the three friends founded HealthFab in Bengaluru. They pooled Rs 15 lakh to develop a reusable, leak-proof period panty that could be worn for up to 12 hours. Testing with friends and family eventually produced GoPadFree after 60 design combinations.

HealthFab launched GoPadFree on Amazon in January 2020 after developing and testing its reusable period panty. By September that year, customers were reporting fewer rashes and no leaks on heavy-flow days. Some called the product life-changing, giving the young company early evidence that its solution addressed everyday menstrual challenges.

The company later expanded its reach beyond Amazon. GoPadFree is sold through HealthFab’s website and platforms including Flipkart and Blinkit. HealthFab has reached over four lakh customers, while more than six lakh women have used GoPadFree. These figures show use extending beyond the number of direct customers.

In February 2025, HealthFab appeared on Shark Tank India Season 4. All four sharks made offers totalling Rs 2 crore, but the deal fell through. HealthFab subsequently raised Rs 5 crore. Its continued sales and fundraising point to further growth, although the article does not give future targets.

Reusable period products can reduce the amount of menstrual waste sent to landfills. This matters because disposable pads contain plastic and are used repeatedly throughout a person’s menstruating years. A washable product shifts part of that demand from single-use items to one product used many times.

The article states that one disposable pad creates 2–3 grams of plastic waste and can take 600–700 years to decompose. GoPadFree can be washed and reused up to 50 times. HealthFab says one panty can replace hundreds of disposable pads over two years, while still absorbing up to 30 ml per use.

HealthFab estimates that GoPadFree has helped keep at least 1,000 tonnes of plastic sanitary waste from landfills. That figure is the company’s estimate, not an independently verified measurement in the article. The environmental benefit depends on repeated reuse, proper washing, and products lasting as claimed.

The main alternatives to reusable period panties are disposable pads, tampons, and menstrual cups. Each collects menstrual fluid in a different way. The best choice depends on flow, comfort, health needs, cost, washing access, and whether the user prefers an external or internal product.

Disposable pads sit outside the body and are easy to put on and remove, but they require frequent replacement and create waste. Tampons are inserted into the vagina and can help people stay active without an external pad, but they also need regular changing and careful use. Menstrual cups collect fluid inside the vagina, can be reused, and reduce waste, but they need insertion, removal, emptying, and cleaning.

GoPadFree is another external option. It aims to address long hours, leaks, rashes, and limited access to clean washrooms without using those alternatives. The article does not compare costs, medical risks, or user preferences across products. Those practical differences should be considered when choosing.

Menstruation happens when the uterus sheds its prepared lining, releasing blood, tissue, and fluid through the vagina. This usually occurs as part of the menstrual cycle when pregnancy has not occurred. Products do not stop menstruation; they collect the flow so people can work, study, and move through daily life.

Absorbency matters because insufficient capacity can cause leaks, especially with heavy flow. Changing frequency matters because wet products can become uncomfortable and may contribute to skin irritation; products should be used according to their instructions. Breathable, skin-safe materials also matter. The article links women’s experiences with rashes, leaks, and frequent changes to the need for better designs.

Clean washrooms matter because users need a private place to change, wash, or dispose of products. Kiriti’s sister had no hygienic place to change pads during her school day and missed work. GoPadFree was designed to last up to 12 hours, but individual flow and comfort still determine when changing is needed.