his Healthy Change goes out to all the ladies. Sorry gents’, you’ll only have 51 Healthy Changes this year, but you can certainly pass this information on to the ladies in your life. For now, you may want to head on over to another post…how ’bout this one with pictures of meat!
Gals, it’s time we discuss some very important information regarding the health of our cycles. I won’t be delving into the hormonal balance of it all, but rather the products used, every month, for 4-7 days, 24 hours a day…that’s a lot of contact with a foreign object in a very delicate area of the body! In fact, the average woman will have 1,152-2,016 hours of contact with tampons, pads or other feminine hygiene products each year (nearly 7 years of contact over the span of our cycle).
Alternative Options
Did ya’ll know there were alternatives to Tampax and Playtex? These brands have become commonplace in most households across the globe, and I get it’s hard to stray from something that’s so familiar, but there are many healthier options that work just as well (even better, in my experience), cost less money and are MUCH healthier for our bodies. As my own daughter is nearing puberty, I’ve had to consider options that will work for her once her cycle begins. And now, with the knowledge I have about mainstream tampons and pads, you can guarantee we’ll be taking an alternative approach.
Unknown Ingredients
What are these feminine products made of anyway? Who knows!? These products aren’t required to label their ingredients because they’re categorized as “medical devices”…say what? Tampons and pads are considered medical devices? YES. And medical devices are not required to label ingredients on the packaging, so most of us are unaware of the chemicals we’re exposing our bodies to on a regular basis.
Sadly, the ingredients and methods used when making these products are linked to a whole host of issues. “For example, plasticizing chemicals like BPA and BPS disrupt embryonic development and are linked to heart disease and cancer. Phthalates — which give paper tampon applicators that smooth feel and finish — are known to dysregulate gene expression, and DEHP (diethyhexyl) may lead to multiple organ damage. Besides crude oil plastics, conventional sanitary pads can also contain a myriad of other potentially hazardous ingredients, such as odor neutralizers and fragrances. Synthetics and plastic also restrict the free flow of air and can trap heat and dampness, potentially promoting the growth of yeast and bacteria in your vaginal area.” (Dr. Mercola)
Dangers of these Chemicals
Most of us wouldn’t consume potentially harmful ingredients, let alone ones we know to be dangerous, but absorbing these ingredients and chemicals through contact with skin can actually cause worse damage over time. When chemicals are absorbed through the skin (opposed to the digestive tract), they go directly into our bloodstream. There’s no filtering of any kind and they can head straight to our organs. Because they don’t get filtered, once these chemicals are in the body, they can build up and accumulate over time since we lack the necessary enzymes to break them down. (Source)
When using these products, namely tampons, tiny fibers can get “left behind”. In order for tampons to be clean and white, the fibers need to be bleached. Traditionally, chlorine was used which can create “toxic dioxin and other disinfection-by-products (DBPs) such as trihalomethane.” As of 1990, the FDA no longer allows the use of chlorine for bleaching, however studies have shown the newer “safer” methods still result in the production of dioxins. These toxins collect in fatty tissues and, according to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) have no safe level of exposure. Reports show that even minimal exposure to dioxins can result in abnormal tissue growth in the abdomen and reproductive organs, abnormal cell growth throughout the body, immune system suppression and hormonal and endocrine system disruption. In fact, in a study done on monkeys, endometriosis was directly correlated with the exposure to dioxin (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin) for a period of four years. “Ten years after the termination of dioxin treatment, the presence of endometriosis was documented by surgical laparoscopy.” (Source)
Toxic Shock Syndrome
Although not a risk when using pads, Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) is a true concern with tampons. The rough nature of the tampon or applicator can cause tiny tears in our delicate skin, allowing bacteria to enter and accumulate. If poisonous toxins (commonly from staph or strep bacteria) are present, these bacteria can grow due to the favorable environment tampons create. TSS is very serious and can be a life-threatening condition. If you show signs of sudden high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, low blood-pressure, seizures, muscle aches, redness of eyes, mouth or throat or a rash on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet while using tampons, immediately remove the tampon and seek medical help. (Source)
Organic Tampons and Pads
If switching to using anything other than tampons just isn’t an option for you, then be sure to look for brands that use only 100% organic cotton, are chlorine-free, aren’t made with synthetic ingredients (such as plastics), free from wood fluff and wood pulp and are hypoallergenic.
Feeling like those options aren’t out there? They are! A few quality brands that are much safer and healthier are NatraCare, Seventh Generation, The Honest Company, Organyc, Jolie Organic and Veeda. Most of these companies offer both tampons and pads, so there’s really no more excuses to exposing ourselves to the harmful chemicals found in the most common name-brands.
Alternative Options that are Safe and Economically/Environmentally Friendly
If you’re willing to stray outside your “comfort zone” and seek out healthier alternatives that are both economically and environmentally friendly, then I suggest trying out a Lily Cup or a Diva Cup. These are small, flexible, 100% silicone, reusable cups that are designed to collect instead of absorb your menstrual flow. They are worn internally, much like a tampon, and are virtually unnoticeable once in place. Definitely not new to the scene, menstrual cups have been around since the 1930’s, but are recently becoming more popular as the awareness to the dangers of more conventional methods rises.
These cups can be worn up to 12 hours at a time (which make them a great option for girls still in school), are virtually leak proof, and can be used indefinitely (buy one and done). Be sure to choose the right size for your body. Generally speaking, if you have not had children, you should choose size A/1. Once you’ve had children, move up to a size B/2 (see links below).
What are your thoughts?
Due to the relatively short time pads and tampons have been around, the unknown health risks just aren’t worth it to me or for my daughter. I’ve been using, quite successfully, a Diva Cup for nearly a year, and prior to that, have used many of the aforementioned organic tampons and pads. What actions will you be taking with your feminine healthcare options? Do you use a product not listed here? Share with us in the comments below!
Is the Diva Cup different than the Soft Cup?
Great question, Tracey! Yes, they’re slightly different in that the Diva Cup is reusable indefinitely, where as the soft cup is a one-time, 12 hour (or one cycle) use. Once you buy the Diva Cup, if you care for it properly, you can use it indefinitely! So, it’s more expensive initially, but ends up saving a lot of money in the long run.
So the companies that use 100% organic cotton and come with the applicator, are those applicators a danger too?
They would be less “dangerous”, however they could still cause damage and the fibers, although organic, could still remain and potentially harbor bacteria. So non-applicator tampons will be safer, but they’re also less expensive!