What’s REALLY in your Tampons & Pads?

With the abundance of inexpensive pads and tampons this week, I’m almost certain everyone is out using those recent newspaper insert coupons to stock up on Kotex.

Tampons and Pads aren’t really a subject anyone wants to talk about – right? And hopefully this post doesn’t annoy or disturb you…  if it does, then move on.

I am and have been simply struggling this week to tell you “Hey! Buy Kotex, they are cheap!” (I’m being HONEST here… in a time when it might not be the popular route to take!)  

It is such a frustrating thing when you are so used to something and someone tells you not to use them anymore.  I’m thankful that I have been having babies the last 9 years, and breastfed in between where I have kind of avoided having to buy these items — although I have gotten a few boxes here and there for Christmas baskets, I can’t say that my concern is shared with family or [most] friends.  

I know we live in a time where everything seems toxic – and we should be afraid of nearly everything.  Obviously you can’t … you can’t stop eating, you can’t stop LIVING, but you can pick your battles.

And Tampons & Pads are ONE of those battles WORTH picking – at least to ME it is, and it hopefully should be for others. This is just ONE area that really hits home 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 fact that these items are just very unhealthy, it’s a really bad combination.  I worry about my own daughter, who is 9 – and although she’s not at that point yet, MANY of her friends in school are (I don’t even want to think about that yet… so let’s not even go there!)

I still can’t get over the fact that there are girls that are going through these changes at such a young age (that’s an entirely different subject) but the fact so many chemicals are used NOW versus 20-25  years ago when I was in school does give me reason for concern.

Problems with Pads and Tampons

Although they are VERY convenient (and almost necessary for most of us), they are not only very toxic items but also contain many chemicals. Considering how close you put them on or near (or in..) your body, that’s cause for concern.

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…. I don’t thin we need to be too descriptive!)

Tampons, on the other hand, contain plastic chemicals – while they also (in some cases) contain odor neutralizers and fragrances, they contain 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 HUGE Problem

Cotton is abundant in the United States – unfortunately what many may not realize that Cotton (83%) is one of the four GMO Crops produced in the world – next to Soy, Canola and Corn.

“Eight of the 10 pesticides used on our U.S. conventionally produced cotton is classified as moderately to highly hazardous. 

Cotton is one of the world’s dirtiest crops because of those pesticides – and in 2010 (just 6 years ago, 90% of cotton was genetically engineered Now, that number probably tops 95%… do those numbers surprise you? Affect you? (Source)

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 (where our skin is very delicate), those chemicals are being absorbed into our bloodstream.

Then there’s TSS:

You have probably read it on the box – right? I know I have… I am friends with 2 very wonderful women at church – both of them with daughters that suffered from 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)

Why is this scary to me? It is because the more time goes on, the more I see and hear friends talk about reproductive issues ~ many of the problems we see in women’s reproductive issues may very well be tied to much of this. 

And if they are SO bad for you, why are they still on the shelf?

Manufacturers of tampons and sanitary pads are not required to disclose the ingredients used because feminine hygiene products are considered ‘medical devices’.

We live in a country where cheap and inexpensive items are desired; where manufacturers (both food and personal care) make large sums of money from selling items that may not be in our best interest, and a medical system that thrives on sickness/illness.  Though inexpensive is not always the best route, it takes your own willingness to set that aside and do what YOU feel is best for yourself. 

So What are the Alternatives?

I’m thankful I have been on and off kids and breastfeeding for the last 9 years – but other women who are not as fortunate may use quite a lot more Tampons/Pads than others.

Women can use over 16,000 Tampons/Pads in their lifetime – that’s an incredible number…. thankfully there are alternatives. Obviously they are not going to be quite as cheap as your box of Kotex after coupons.. 

Here are a few alternatives:

• 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? And have you tried any alternatives?