Bladder Control 

Plastic and Toxins

Incontinence and other absorbent hygiene products are some of the worst offenders for causing intimate irritation and soreness. Research shows that up to a 1/3 of women and people with vulvas suffer from itching and irritation because of contact with synthetic materials, including those used to make incontinence pads.

The average product is loaded with plastic. With over 45 billion menstrual products used every year. Did you know that a pack of conventional pads contains up to five plastic bags worth of plastic? ​Plastic wet wipes are frequently flushed as well as tampons and even pads! Period products are the fifth most common item found washed up on Europe’s beaches, with 3.9 million flushed down the loo every single day in the UK alone. Incorrectly flushed or thrown away items are found polluting the coastlines across the world.

 

Choosing plastic-free and non-toxic bladder control products lets intimate skin breathe and cuts out plastic pollution, plus avoid plastics, perfumes, chlorine, dyes, and pesticides in feminine and incontinence products.

 

The average feminine product is loaded with plastic. With over 45 billion feminine products used every year. Did you know that a pack of conventional pads contains up to five plastic bags worth of plastic? Plus perfumes, chlorine, dyes, pesticides, and feminine products!

 

Plastic wet wipes are frequently flushed as well as tampons and even pads! Period products are the fifth most common item found washed up on Europe’s beaches, with 3.9 million flushed down the loo every single day in the UK alone. Incorrectly flushed or thrown away items are found polluting the coastlines across the world.

The Law

There is a significant lack of consumer protection laws regarding feminine hygiene products. Only two states have such laws, and they’re not even in effect yet.

  • California has enacted new laws that require expanded ingredient disclosure for feminine hygiene products, including period underwear. As of Jan 1st, 2023, The Menstrual Products Right to Know Act of 2020. (AB 1989) mandates that menstrual products sold in California must clearly and conspicuously list all ingredients used. However, this law only focuses on “intentionally added” ingredients and does not cover contaminants.

  • New York has a similar law as of 2021, focusing on “intentionally added” ingredients. The Menstrual Products Right To Know Act (S2387B), championed by New York State Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal and signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo, forces brands to print a simple list of ingredients on all menstrual products.

  • Federally, in September 2022, the Menstrual Products Right To Know Act of 2022 (H.R.8829) was introduced to the house, but as of the current date of writing (March 2023), there has been no progress on the bill.

Conventional Bladder Control Products

❌ Conventional Bladder control pads contain perfumes, chlorine, dyes, pesticides, resorcinol, plastic materials like polypropylene, and super absorbent polymers (SAPs). These materials are cheap and they are polluting the planet and are harmful to your health.

  • Super-absorbent polymers (SAPs): Super-absorbent material (made from petroleum) is used to prevent leakages and absorb moisture.  

  • Resorcinol: is an ingredient found in some adhesives. Linked to thyroid disruption and is a chemical of concern. 

  • Plastic: The average period product is loaded with plastic. With over 45 billion menstrual products used every year. Did you know that a pack of conventional pads contains up to five plastic bags worth of plastic? Plastic wet wipes are frequently flushed as well as tampons and even pads! Period products are the fifth most common item found washed up on Europe’s beaches, with 3.9 million flushed down the loo every single day in the UK alone. Incorrectly flushed or thrown away items are found polluting the coastlines across the world.

❌ Chlorine-bleached: Conventional Pads are made with chlorine-bleached materials, latex, plastic, and super absorbents made from petrochemicals. Typically contain the following ingredients and materials:

​​

❌ Fragrance in conventional period products: Fun fact, menstrual blood does not have an odor, let alone a foul one. The strong smell in conventional disposable pads is when the blood touches the chemicals inside the disposable pad and creates a chemical reaction. This is why disposable pads are full of fragrances, it’s by design to try and mask the offensive odor.

 

❌ Synthetic material: Many rayon-blend tampons have a plastic veil to prevent fiber loss, and they can also have added perfume or dyes which is unnecessary for managing your period.

Conventional Pads typically contain the following ingredients and materials:​

  • ❌ Wood pulp (contributing to deforestation if uncertified and chlorine-bleached)

  • ❌ Super absorbent polymers SAPs (made from crude oil and can lead to skin irritation)

  • ❌ Latex (to make the wings on a pad flexible)

  • ❌ Chlorine Bleaching process: used in pads, tampons, and baby diapers, and also for things like toilet paper.

  • ❌ Plastic packaging and plastic-based cover

  • ❌ Herbicides or Pesticide sprayed GMOs-cotton. 

  • ❌ Rayon or Viscose

  • ❌ Perfume and dyes

  • ❌ Hidden wadding

  • ❌ Glue 

  • ❌ Dioxin

Greenwashing Bladder Control Products

Greenwashing is a brand that pretends to be organic, natural, eco-friendly, and green when it is not. They will use misleading marketing tactics to convince you to buy their products!

 

❌ Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891): Banned in the EU  for food application due to its potential carcinogenic effects. Titanium dioxide E 171 contains at most 50% of particles in the nano range (i.e. less than 100 nanometres) to which consumers may be exposed. 

According to The Guardian: “The EU’s decision to phase out titanium dioxide came after a re-evaluation of the safety of the food additive conducted by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), an agency that delivers independent scientific advice to the EU about food-related risks.

EFSA scientists screened nearly 12,000 scientific publications. They were particularly interested in recent research on the “genotoxicity” of titanium dioxide nanoparticles – their ability to damage DNA and lead to cell mutations, potentially causing cancer. In animal studies, nanoparticles have been found to affect microorganisms in the gut, which could trigger diseases like intestinal and bowel inflammation and colorectal cancer.

❌ Synthetic material: such as Polyethylene, polyester, or fiber finish (Security veil), to their organic cotton. You want to pick only 100% organic cotton.

❌ Elemental Chlorine-Free (ECF): This bleaching method still uses chlorine. You can learn more here.

There are 2 methods to whiten pads, tampons, and baby diapers, and also for things like toilet paper.

Elemental Chlorine Free uses a compound called chlorine dioxide to achieve bleaching and produces only trace amounts of the toxic pollutant. It is still unclear whether those trace amounts are harmful to the environment or not. 

❌ Super-absorbent polymers (SAPs): Super-absorbent material (made from petroleum) is used to prevent leakages and absorb moisture. These materials are effective and cheap but they are harmful to the planet and our health. 

Organic and Approved Bladder Control Products

🍃Have you ever had vaginal irritation, such as candida or other skin rashes? Many times they could be caused by toxic products such as conventional lubricants, pads or tampons, and even toilet paper. Elevated levels of toxic chemicals are found in menstrual pads. Choose products that are Certified Organic and toilette paper that are unbleached and fragrance-free to avoid skin reactions.

 

​🍃Most cotton period products—at least 85%, certainly any cotton that is not organic—contain glyphosate, which is problematic because it is a known cancer-causing agent. The World Health Organization recently ruled it as “probably carcinogenic.” The vagina is a highly permeable space: Anything we put inside can easily be absorbed through the mucous membrane and then into our bloodstream where it presents a toxic burden to the body.”

 

🌸 We need to take care of our vulva and vagina like we do our face, using special cleaning I highly recommend the daily use of a bidet combined with an approved feminine wash (my favorites here) which is designed with unique pH specific for the vagina, not just a body wash, or bar soap which can contribute to imbalance and irritation. Wear only GOTS Certified organic cotton underwear and organic cotton panties.

 

 

  • Safe & effective: All their products are clinically tested to be hypoallergenic and non-toxic. If you have allergies to traditional menstrual products,  these are great options for you! 
  • Stylish & comfy: products made for the comfort of the skin and movement 
  • Sustainable: eco-friendly, biodegradable in addition to prioritizing your own health, you’re also prioritizing the health of the planet ♡

 

 

✅ On this page, you will find the Best Organic Bladder control underwear. Safer and eco-friendly incontinence panties are also more comfortable than conventional ones made with synthetic material.

The Best Organic Bladder Control Brands

I listed below all the Best and Approved Organic Bladder Control Product brands on the market!

My number one organic bladder control brand recommendation is:

 

  • 🌿 Lilova 15% off code: PRETTYORGANICGIRL

 

Shop with my links to support my research!💖

pads lubricant care wash maternity panties
Lilova Organic Period Underwear Logo

15% off code: PRETTYORGANICGIRL