Sanitary products in a UK supermarket

If you aren’t yet aware of the dangers of tampons and pads, this is a good place to start.

One third of the world’s population across the world experience periods once a month, and these (I can vouch for this) are definitely not our most favourite times. Periods certainly have a way of showing up unexpectedly, and changing from light to heavy irrationally, and these surprises are very frustrating — and at times, embarrassing. But when we reach for our go-to pads or tampons, do we really know what’s in them?

Disposable tampons and pads became available in much of the developed world in the first half of the 20th century. Today, tampons are used by over 100 million women worldwide, while pads (which are much more widespread on a global scale due to a cultural aversion to tampons in many regions) comprise a multi-billion industry.

Studies have shown that chemicals on your skin may be worse than eating them. At least enzymes in your saliva and stomach help break down and flush chemicals from your body. But when they touch your skin, they’re absorbed straight into your bloodstream, going directly to your delicate organs. Once in your body, they can accumulate because you typically lack the necessary enzymes to break them down.

So just what are we putting into our bodies?

Almost all sanitary napkins and tampons are made with bleached rayon, cotton and plastics. Just how safe do you think that material is to be inside or pressing against your vagina? Not to mention these products leave behind fibers in your vagina that can cause bladder and vaginal infections.

Menstrual cramps, also known as dysmenorrhea or period pains, are painful sensations felt in the lower abdomen that can occur both before and during a woman’s menstrual period.

Ever wondered why you are experiencing such bad cramps? Tampons and pads are also known to absorb the natural fluids and bacteria that the vagina produces to stay clean and healthy, increasing your chances of severe pain and infections — especially if you are wearing one for hours, all day, all week.

Furthermore, to give tampons and pads that pristine, “clean” white look, the fibers used must be bleached. Chlorine is commonly used for this, which can create toxic dioxin and other disinfection-by-products (DBPs) such as trihalomethane. Studies show that dioxin collects in your fatty tissues, and according to a draft report by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), dioxin a serious public health threat that has no “safe” level of exposure! Published reports show that even low or trace levels of dioxins may be linked to:

Abnormal tissue growth in the abdomen and reproductive organs

Abnormal cell growth throughout the body

Immune system suppression

Hormonal and endocrine system disruption

One recognized risk from tampon use is Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS). TSS is a life-threatening condition, caused from bacteria growth. It’s important to remember that tampons can create a favorable environment for bacteria growth and micro tears in the vaginal wall from tampons allow bacteria to enter and accumulate.

Ignoring the health issues for a second, disposable pads and tampons are also annihilating our environment. It’s estimated that over 20 billion pads and tampons are discarded each year. These take over 500 hundreds years to decompose and the process of manufacturing these disposables also pollutes our waterways, air and animal habitats.

With all of these health and environmental concerns around pads and tampons, why is the issue of safe feminine hygiene products rarely discussed? Well, that multi billion dollar industry has to get its money from somewhere!

So what are your alternatives?

Fortunately, there are some safer alternatives, choices which make a big impact, considering that on average, a woman will use up to 16,800 disposable pads and tampons during her lifetime. There are so many reasons not to support the disposable menstrual product industry, which is based on unneeded waste and profit at the expense of women’s health and the environment.

Menstrual cups, 100% cotton tampons, reusable cloth pads, and reusable period proof pants are a good place to start.

FLUX period proof pants are a safer and eco friendly alternative to disposable pads and tampons

Reusable period proof pants are designed to create a more healthy product for both your body and the environment, and eliminate chlorine and bleach, plastics, pesticides and other chemicals or dangerous materials from contacting your skin. These alternative options result in over 1 million disposable pads and tampons from being diverted from landfills every month. Over time, they also save you money.

You know where your tampon goes. Now you know what goes into it, too.