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The Scary Truth About What’s in Your Maxi-Pads and Tampons (and alternative options)

by Dawn Lorenz 23 Comments

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Like most women, you have probably been wearing disposable maxi pads and/or tampons every month for many years, AND, like most women, you probably aren’t aware of what they are made of and how they can affect your health and the environment.

Screen shot 2015-04-07 at 9.07.09 AM

I too, used to be one of those women. When I was a teenager and first started menstruating, I remember my mom running to the store to get some disposable maxi pads, and later, after my friends said how great they were, tampons. I remember being scared to use the tampons, always seeing the warning about toxic shock syndrome. I used them anyway, for many years, not knowing about the other scary health risks, and the impact that these items have on the environment. I don’t think it’s any coincidence that the only times I suffered from vaginal yeast infections was during the ones I wore tampons.

The good news is that there are safe alternatives, including one that makes it so you almost forget you have your period. ***I’ll get to that after I explain about the dangers of disposables.

Material/Ingredients of Disposable Maxi Pads:

Sanitary napkins are made of bleached rayon, cotton and plastics. They then have added fragrances, along with chemicals used to absorb the menstrual flow. Most contain “hazardous ingredients including dioxins and furans, pesticide residues, unknown fragrance chemicals, and adhesive chemicals such as methyldibromo glutaronitrile. Exposure concerns include cancer, reproductive harm, and endocrine disruption. Studies link pad use to allergic rash” (Chem Fatale). Yes, you read pesticide residues right – the cotton used is not organic, unless it states so (I have never seen this on any mainstream brands), and almost 85 percent of the world’s cotton is heavily doused with pesticides. In fact, the cotton industry uses more pesticides than almost any other industry. So, when wearing pads, you are cozying up to pesticides in your vaginal area (nice, right?). Then, once used, these pads, along with the chemicals they are made of, end up in landfills.

An Alternative to Disposable Pads:

I never really liked disposable pads, but was also naïve and didn’t realize that there were alternatives. I can say that I tried many different brands of disposables over the years, trying to find ones not only comfortable, but that didn’t end up smelling. I found that no matter what, after about an hour of wear, there would be a stench. It wasn’t until I became aware that there are cloth options that I realized the stench was solely from the ingredients in the disposables mixing with the blood and not allowing proper airflow (thanks to the plastic). Once I found a great organic cloth pad, I never went back to disposable ones. The cloth pads are comfortable, don’t smell, and don’t end up in landfills. The cloth pads are free of man made materials, and getting organic ones insures that they are also free of pesticides.

Screen shot 2015-04-07 at 8.39.11 AM

Material/Ingredients of Tampons:

Tampons are made from the same materials that disposable pads are made from. When inserting these fibers inside of your vagina, you are exposing yourself to the chemicals they are made of and the side effects they case – so essentially, you are inserting bleach, pesticides, and any number of chemicals used to make plastic malleable, and that’s not all “Tampons are also known to absorb the natural fluids and bacteria’s that the vagina produces to stay clean and healthy. Let’s look at the #1 ingredient in generic tampons and sanitary napkins: Rayon. Rayon is a fiber that is made from cellulose fibers, cellulose is a natural fiber, but to produce Rayon chemical procedures are needed that include: carbon disulphide, sulfuric acid, chlorine and caustic soda. Side effects from exposure to too much Rayon can include: nausea, vomiting, chest pain, headaches and many others” (Collective Evolution). In addition, tampons have been found to contain mold and even cocaine  – My point in highlighting these is to show you that unless you are cutting them open, you really don’t know what’s inside… wait a minute… as I illustrated above, even if you do cut it open you still don’t know what’s inside!

An Alternative to Tampons and all other Menstrual “catching” products:

I still can’t believe it too me 35 years to learn that there is a safe alternative to tampons and pads that is so simple to use that you can literally forget that it’s there and not have to worry about it. I’m talking about a menstrual cup. It’s so simple in design and so easy to use I can’t figure out why more women don’t know about them.

Screen shot 2015-04-07 at 8.41.29 AM

What is a menstrual cup?

A menstrual cup is a small ‘V’ shaped cup that is made out of medical-grade silicone and literally sits right inside of the vaginal canal catching the menstrual flow. My personal favorite menstrual cup is the SckoonCup. It is easy to insert (okay the first time there is a learning curve, but each time after that is a breeze), it’s easy to clean, it’s cheap in that you only need one, as opposed to going through a box of pads or tampons each month, it’s non-toxic, and it only needs to be changed every 12 hours. You will have less cramps than when using a tampon, due to tampons only absorbing the liquid and not the tissue. In addition, the SckoonCup doesn’t leak and you will not have any odors coming from your vaginal region. Really, It’s a Godsend.

***At this point, I should mention that I was sent the SckoonCup to try in return for a written review of the product. Everything I think and write about it are my own thoughts. And, as is required of me by law, “This post was created as part of the SckoonCup Review Campaign in which I am a financially compensated blogger. The opinions are my own and based on my own experience.” Please note, I would have pulled out and not have written this review had I not loved and wouldn’t have used it myself. As always, I only recommend products that I would use in my own hoe and with my own family. ***

Now, over the past year I have tried a variety of brands of menstrual cups, including the Diva Cup. I find SckoonCup to be most comfortable and easiest to insert. This is because SckoonCup is designed with a better grip that allows you to fully turn the cup the 360 degrees that it needs to be turned and has it’s suction holes pointed up in order to get the suction needed for it not to leak. This also insures no pain in that when I didn’t have the Diva suctioned quite right, due to not being able to turn it so well, I would experience pain, especially before a bowel movement. The pain was caused by stuck air and was extreme. In addition, because it is made from a softer silicone, I found it easier to insert than other cups.

sckoon cup comparission

The SckoonCup is made in the U.S.A., which, if you have been following me for a while, is important. All too often heavy medicals and dangerous chemicals are found in the packaging and products coming from countries like China and that is NOT okay for anything entering my home, much less my private area! It comes in two sizes – one for pre-birthing women and one for post birthing women. These are the only sizes needed and there is no guessing to do. Either you gave birth or you didn’t, so choose accordingly.

 

**Raising Natural Kids serves as an affiliate for Amazon, and links any products we use in our own homes and with our own families to Amazon when applicable. Any monies earned help us to run and maintain this blog. 

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Filed Under: Natural Menstrual Alternatives Tagged With: Maxi Pads, Menstural Cup, Natural Period Alternatives, Tampons

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Comments

  1. Jackie @ Reusable Menstrual Cups says

    January 11, 2018 at 9:56 pm

    I switched to a Diva Cup from tampons years ago, but mostly for environmental reasons. In the last couple of years, I’ve been hearing more about all the chemicals in these things. Now that’s truly some scary stuff.

    Reply
  2. Sarah Adewunmi says

    April 30, 2017 at 9:55 pm

    Hi Dawn !
    Thank you so much for writing this article. while I was researching the material used for pads I came across this write up! it solidified some of the informatIon I’ve recently been introduced too! Which I think you will truly Enjoy because of your natural approach.

    I am on a team that is heading this women’s campaign!!
    Please watch this short video:

    https://youtu.be/i_QTNaaYNvg

    Please help me save women’s lives . This is an awareness for women!

    You can contact me , I will love to hear what you think about it!!!!

    -Sarah Adewunmi

    Reply
    • Dawn Lorenz says

      May 1, 2017 at 2:19 pm

      Looks great! Thank you for spreading the word!

      Reply
  3. Amy says

    June 8, 2016 at 1:39 pm

    How do you wash/clean it?

    Reply
    • Dawn Lorenz says

      June 8, 2016 at 3:08 pm

      rinse with a mild natural soap – I use this organic hand soap – It comes concentrated so it makes 16 bottles of hand soap –

      Reply
  4. Kim says

    June 25, 2015 at 5:01 pm

    Great article. My daughter recently started her period and developed a horrible red, itchy rash the day before her period ended. She was miserable! That got me thinking that maybe the horrible rash I experience monthly could be related to the maxi pads I use, too. For those interested in continuing to use a disposable pad, there is a great option available called Natracare. It uses organic cotton and is chlorine free as well; they even list the ingredients on their box. It did the trick for me! No more itching or discomfort.

    Reply
  5. Michael Mathieu says

    June 23, 2015 at 5:45 pm

    Hi there,

    Just wondering what kind of information you’ve been able to find on the safety of silicone.

    I found another website that I can’t remember the name of at the moment but it’s a blog put together by moms who are interested in using safe products. They did extensive research on silicone and could not find much available literature.

    Reply
  6. Skye says

    May 6, 2015 at 10:21 pm

    Hi! Thank you for this information I have never heard of this before. I just purchased one on the Internet unfortunately I could not find the area to enter your referral code to get the 10% off via PayPal. 🙁

    Reply
  7. Penny Britza says

    April 10, 2015 at 1:01 am

    it’s accepting the code as a referral code (giving no discount at all), but not being recognized as a discount code.

    Reply
  8. Megan says

    April 9, 2015 at 9:47 pm

    I’m trying to order one, I’m sold! But the coupon code isn’t working, its saying its INVALID. ??

    Reply
    • Raising Natural Kids says

      April 9, 2015 at 11:02 pm

      This code here: QS3U29

      Reply
    • Raising Natural Kids says

      April 9, 2015 at 11:03 pm

      see what happens if you use this link – does it come off automatically? http://www.sckooncup.com/?mw_aref=3878b20a41106a011a690cd6b802347b

      Reply
  9. Jst says

    April 9, 2015 at 6:28 pm

    Just wondering if you can use the skoon if you have an IUD as birth control.

    Reply
    • Lara says

      April 10, 2015 at 4:48 am

      Yes! I do!

      Reply
    • Emily says

      April 15, 2015 at 12:04 am

      I do! And I’ve had no issues at all. I love my skooncup

      Reply
  10. Sara says

    April 9, 2015 at 1:42 am

    But what if you’ve given birth, but only by c-section?

    Reply
    • Raising Natural Kids says

      April 9, 2015 at 8:02 pm

      I would think the smaller size then, but you can always message Sckoon themselves for a more definitive answer 🙂

      Reply
  11. GMK says

    April 8, 2015 at 5:27 pm

    Ok but I had a c-section with both of my babies…so does that make me a pre-baby or post-baby size since my birth canal…ahem, hasn’t been widened 🙂

    Reply
    • Raising Natural Kids says

      April 9, 2015 at 8:03 pm

      I would think the smaller one, but you can message Sckoon to find out for sure!

      Reply
  12. How We Flourish says

    April 8, 2015 at 3:49 pm

    Great post! This information is so important for people to know. I’ve been using menstrual cups for 4 years (love the SckoonCup!) and cloth pads for over two years.

    Reply
  13. Jessica says

    April 7, 2015 at 11:25 pm

    I am so happy there alternatives and that you are sharing about them!

    Reply
  14. Alicia Land Voorhies says

    April 7, 2015 at 3:40 pm

    I’ve been using a SckoonCup for quite a while along with Lunapads and will never go back to the icky old standby products! The thought of putting all those toxic chemicals on my most sensitive southern parts!

    Reply

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