natural alternatives to pads and tampons
TRANSCRIPT
Natural Alternatives to Pads and Tampons
Modern sanitary napkins or “pads” and tampons have definitely made feminine hygiene easier and more convenient, but everything comes with a price…
The problem with pads
• From an environmental perspective, a tremendous amount of feminine products end up in landfills and water treatment facilities.
• An average woman will use over 16,000 tampons or pads (up to 300 pounds!) in the course of her lifetime, sometimes more.
• The labia and vaginal area is highly vascular, meaning that a lot of small blood vessels run to this area.
• The skin is also especially thin, making it easier for plastic chemicals to enter the body that way.
• Many pads and some tampons contain plastic chemicals and can even contain BPA and other plastic chemicals.
• From watching commercials, you’d think that all tampons and pads are made up of entirely soft pillowy cotton from pristine white fields. Unfortunately, this is not usually the case.
• Some tampons and pads do contain cotton, but most contain rayon, a synthetic material. These fibers can pull too much moisture from the vaginal walls and stick to the soft skin there, leaving tiny synthetic fibers that may increase the risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome.
• The tampons and pads that are actually made of cotton are usually bleached with chlorine or other chemicals.
• Additionally, cotton is one of the world’s dirtiest crops and is often sprayed with a variety of pesticides.
• On top of that, a recent study found that 85% of tampons were contaminated with glyphosate (an herbicide linked to cancer).
Current theories suggest that staph or strep bacteria cause the TSS infection and that wearing a tampon (with its rough surface) in the dark, warm and moist environment of the vagina can increase the chances of this infection.
Natural Alternatives
If you want to stick with the convenience of traditional tampons and pads, at least opt for natural and/or organic ones.
Click here to see my recommendations.
Organic/Natural Pads and Tampons
A menstrual cup is exactly what it sounds like - a reusable soft sided cup
that fits inside the vagina to collect menstrual flow.
It is reusable, leak proof and much more comfortable than regular
tampons.
Click here to see my recommendations.
Menstrual Cups
Many work even better than disposable options. The only downside is that you do have to wash them.
Click here to see my recommendations.
Cloth Pads
If the menstrual cup is uncomfortable for you, they might be worth a shot.
Click here to see my recommendations.
Sea Sponges
TO Learn more, Click Here.
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