Are Regular Tampons and Pads Actually Safe for Your Body?

 

I think the majority of people don't ask. You pick up a box at the store, put it in your shopping cart and move on. I used to do this for years. A pad or tampon, though, is placed against some of the most absorbent skin in the body—hours each month, for decades. Well, it's good to take a peek inside. You don't have to be a trendy person to want to change to non toxic period products, it's just curiosity about what you are using on your body. But a shock to me, really what I found.

The Stuff Nobody Prints in Big Letters

Regular sanitary napkins and tampons contain synthetic fibers, plastics, adhesives, fragrance and any type of bleach the factory has used. Fabrics: rayon/polyester top sheets, polyethylene backing. Not a salad, per se. Fragrance is the elusive one because a single word on the label will encompass a complete perfume mix of chemicals that the brand doesn't have to identify. Disclosure of ingredients in menstrual products has been fairly inconsistently done in many places - not as rigorously as you would expect for a bag of chips. That's the problem: the emptiness of the space in between. When you don't know what something contains, it's a guess.

Dioxins, Pesticides and Other Words that Sound Scary

So let's be honest about this, panic doesn't help anybody. Most large brands now use elemental chlorine free bleaching methods, which is better, although older methods of bleaching using chlorine may leave traces of dioxins. Traces are tiny. But 12 months times decades equals a wonderful length of time, and no one really knows that long game. Then there's cotton. Conventional cotton is one of the most heavily sprayed crops and some small studies have shown that pesticides have been detected in tampons. Small studies, remember. Limited research and I'm not lying. Nevertheless, there isn't a lot of evidence, and that is a distinction between actually safe and just limited research.

Why Your Skin Down There Isn't Like Your Arm

Vulva and vagina skin is thinner and more permeable than most skin. There, things absorb differently and some of the filtering your body does when you swallow is bypassed. But not all pads are poison, don't spin out of control. If irritation, itching, rashes and that weird feeling occur every cycle, pay attention to it. Common triggers include fragrance and materials made of plastic. Note about tampons – the issue of toxic shock syndrome is mostly with the absorbency and length of time the product remains in place rather than with the materials. Replace them or as time passes. Make sure to use the lowest absorbency you can.

Reading Labels Without a Chemistry Degree

Go with "organic" but remember, brands also enjoy using words such as natural or pure without any real value. Search for certifications such as GOTS, which is the cotton, or OEKO-TEX, which is a tested material. Look for chlorine-free, fragrance-free and an applicator made from. If you don't have a full list of ingredients on the box or website, then there's a message there. Honestly a short list is a good sign. Cotton, perhaps a plant based backing, done. If it sounds like a paint can, return it.

In addition to Pads: Cups, Discs and Period Underwear.

There are alternatives which aren't something you dispose of. Typically fashioned of medical-grade silicone, these menstrual cups and discs can endure for years and reduce the waste and consistent chemical contact. Another option is period underwear, which is adored by individuals for light days or an emergency. There is one word of caution, though; some period underwear brands are known to be using PFAS or forever chemicals, so inquire directly with the company before purchasing. Not all options are for everyone, not all options are for every lifestyle and that's okay. Cups take practice. At first, discs might feel a little different. Wait a couple of cycles before making a decision.

Will Cleaner Be An Expensive Process?

In short, some effort up front, much less in the future. You can't beat the price of organic cotton pads. However, one cup can cost double that of a box, and last for years. The price can also be reduced with subscriptions. That's how people give up - they don't have to empty the bathroom cabinet and repurchase all of it in one weekend. Buy one small box. Try it. Find out how your body reacts and then make a decision on what money is better spent on.

The Switch Without The Stress

Choose one thing and modify it this cycle. Perhaps only pads or perhaps simply tampons. Just have backups of old things because when it's a really busy day, people quit. Take note if you feel any better (less itching, less irritation, or no change at all), this is helpful information. If your periods are really heavy, very painful or just out of sync, consult with a doctor and don't be brushed off if you are. Females are fired prematurely. The reason we do what we do at MissDiagnosed, is because we'll provide you information that doesn't tell you that your questions are silly.

Conclusion

It doesn't have to be a perfect thing. All you need to know is what is happening in your body and you have a voice in it. One box is a simple and manageable change that makes a difference over a lifetime of cycles, and you can begin by doing one box at a time. When it comes to shopping for organic toxic free feminine products, pay attention to labels, ask tough questions of brands and use your body to guide you. It's generally straightforward with you.

Find out more at www.missdiagnosed.co or email tamara@missdiagnosed.co.

FAQs

Are organic pads and tampons safer for you?

They skip the synthetic scents and pesticides filled cotton used by many that are considered to be gentler. The research is still not extensive, but there is not as much unknown? A reasonable trade, is there?

How do I choose the best chemical-free tampons?

Organic cotton, GOTS or OEKO-TEX certification, no fragrance, no chlorine bleaching, and a complete list of ingredients that you can read!

Are menstrual cups safer than tampons?

They're easy to use and washable, which is why many people choose to use them. They still need to be properly cleaned and good fit.

Do fragrance in pads cause irritation?

It is a common cause of itching and rashes. The quickest switch is fragrance-free.

Is period underwear toxin-free?

Not always. There are some brands that have concerns with PFAS; please request testing information before you purchase.