I know we live in a time where nearly everything seems toxic. And you can’t eliminate every toxic item but you can opt for those things that you can easily change. And Tampons & Pads are ONE of those battles worth picking – because so many women use Pads and Tampons regularly.
What scares me is that many girls are starting to use them at such a young age, and combined with the dangers of these pads and tampons, that can be a very scary thing to think about.
Problems with Pads and Tampons
Most Pads use plastics – much like diapers, they contain special chemicals that permit them to absorb MANY times their weight in liquid – in addition to odor neutralizers and fragrances – they are essentially synthetic. Synthetic items prevent the body from breathing naturally (and leading to many other female problems).
Tampons, on the other hand, contain plastic chemicals – in addition to odor neutralizers and fragrances, and Phthalates, that make the finish on that plastic silky smooth.
“and many tampons contain the ingredient BPA while the bleached feminine products give up disinfection by products (DPB’s) that can create an abnormal cell growth through the body.” (Source)
Cotton is a Concern
Cotton is abundant in the United States – but what many may not realize is that cotton is one of the GMO (Genetically Modified) crops produced in the world, next to Soy, Canola and Corn.
Because of the pesticides, Cotton is one of the world’s dirtiest crops, with over 90% of the cotton crop being genetically modified (2010 Src).
“Eight of the 10 pesticides used on our U.S. conventionally produced cotton is classified as moderately to highly hazardous. Just as recent as Oct. 2015, a study found that 85% of all tampon samples tested positive for Glyphosate. In the case of cotton and gauze, that figure was 100%.” (Source)
That’s a shocker for those of you that use Tampons – considering that we use them in our most sensitive area, those chemicals are being absorbed into our bloodstream.
Toxic Shock Syndrome
On almost every tampon box you will see notes about Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS).
“When tampons first began to be sold, many women suffered from Toxic Shock Syndrome. TSS is a known risk from the use of tampons and is associated with an increased risk for exposure to Staphylococcus aureus (staph) or group A streptococcus (strep) bacteria.
TSS usually occurs when a tampon has been left in the vagina for too long, or when a tampon is used that is too thick for the current amount of flow. It is believed that the fibers from dry tampons can remain in the vaginal canal and trigger the growth of dangerous bacteria which causes TSS.” (Source)
Many of us see and hear friends talk about reproductive issues ~ some of my friends are unable to have children. Those who aren’t, have different reproductive problems that they face on a daily basis. Many of the problems we see in women’s reproductive issues may very well be tied to much of this.
Why the Lack of Regulation?
Manufacturers of tampons and sanitary pads are not required to disclose the ingredients used because feminine hygiene products are considered medical devices.
Manufacturers make large sums of money from selling items that may not be in our best interest, but instead reap them huge profits.
We are also part of a medical system that thrives on sickness/illness. An industry that profits from women isn’t always going to tell you the dangers of their products because it will, in turn, affect their profits. That’s where your own personal research comes into play.
Healthier Alternatives
Thankfully there are healthier alternatives – from sea sponge tampons to organic pads and tampons, you’ll want to familiarize yourself to find something that works best for you.
- Sea Sponge Tampons
- Organic Pads & Tampons on Amazon
- Diva Cup Menstrual Cup (they have Pre & Post Childbirth)
- Lena Menstrual Cup
- Blossom Reusable Cloth Menstrual Pads
Have you ever thought about the chemicals in your tampons or pads?
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