Menstrual Cup

Plastic and Toxins

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? Plus perfumes, chlorine, dyes, pesticides feminine products!

Plastic wet wipes are frequently flushed as well as tampons and even pads! In fact, 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

Do you know that feminine hygiene products brands aren’t required by law to disclose materials in their pads? 

Tampons, pads, menstrual cups, and discs are considered medical devices by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are not subject to ingredient labeling under federal 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. New York State is the first state currently working on a law to require disclosure of the material. 

  • ✅ 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.  (AB 2515) second bill, Take All Menstrual Product-PFAS Out Now (TAMPON) Act, forbids manufacturers from manufacturing, selling, or distributing menstrual products that contain regulated PFAS.  Starting January 1, 2025, regulated PFAS will include substances that are intentionally added to the product. On January 1, 2027, the definition of regulated PFAS will expand to include the presence of PFAS in a product or product component at or above a limit to be determined by the Department of Toxic Substances Control.

  • ✅ 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.

 

Note: Since I am located in California, I can disclose to you all the ingredients listed on that packaging, thanks to the local law!! 

 

 

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In August 2014 Women’s Voices for the Earth commissioned testing on menstrual pads. The certified laboratory STAT Analysis Corporation analyzed the products for the volatile organic compound. The results of the testing indicate that both scented and unscented pads emit toxic chemicals, including chemicals identified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Toxicology Program, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and the State of California Environmental Protection Agency as carcinogens, and reproductive and developmental toxins. None of these chemicals are disclosed on the product by the manufacturer.

Why natural and safer feminine 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 tampons—at least 85%, certainly any cotton that is not organic—contain glyphosate, which is problematic because it is a known cancer-causing agent. 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 only organic feminine washes, ideally integrating the use of a bidet, which is the best way to keep the area clean and healthy. Organic period products such as organic period pads, organic tampons, organic and safer period underwear, safer menstrual cups, and GOTS-certified organic panties!

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Choose safer products and Reduce your plastic footprint with

​Conventional Menstrual Cups

❌ Avoid conventional Menstrual Cups made with plastic material. It petroleum-derived. Not only is not recommended to be in contact with the skin, but it is also polluting.

Greenwashing Menstrual Cups

Greenwashing is when a brand pretends to be organic, eco-friendly, and clean green when it is not. They use misleading marketing tactics to convince you to buy the products. Avoid non-natural materials such as:

❌ Thermoplastic elastomers ( TPE ): sometimes referred to as thermoplastic rubbers, are a class of copolymers or a physical mix of polymers (usually a plastic and a rubber) that consist of materials with both thermoplastic and elastomeric properties.

Approved Menstrual Cups

Using menstrual cups reduce your plastic footprint with reusable menstrual cups or safer menstrual products made from renewable, biodegradable, and compostable materials.

Switching to menstrual cups keeps more 2,400 tampons and pads out of landfills. That adds up to 10,000 products over 40 years of menstruating. Here you will the safest medical-grade silicone menstrual cups.

 

Welcome to 12-hour leak coverage all period long for the next 10 years.

  • ✅ 100% medical grade silicone

  • ✅ No leaks, no worries

  • ✅ No dryness, no infections

  • ✅ Save money and our planet

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🌿 SIZE: pick the best size for you

  • Smaller size: For those younger than 25 who have not given birth vaginally.

  • Larger size: For everyone over 25 or anyone who has given birth vaginally.

 

🌿 USE: Remember to adhere to the usage guidelines and avoid leaving them in for long periods of time. It is recommended to empty menstrual cups every four to six hours as you would with a tampon. If you have a heavier flow you might need to empty it more frequently. Generally, the four to six-hour schedule, and follow the brand’s direction.

 

🌿 CARE: Many menstrual cup brands also recommend washing the cup with a specific wash designed for that, you can find them below, or using an organic intimate wash.

You can also boil it for five to ten minutes to clean it in between periods using the approved menstrual sup sterilizer listed below.

​The Best Organic Menstrual Cups 

I listed below all the Best and Approved Organic Menstrual Cup brands on the market, menstrual cup sterilizers, and approved menstrual cup washes.  

My number one organic menstrual cup brand recommendations are:

 

  • 🌿 AllMatters 30% off code: PRETTYORGANICGIRL
  • 🌿 Voxapod  10% off code: PRETTYORGANICGIRL

 

Shop with my links to support my research 💖

panty pads lubricant care wash tampons
VOXAPOD Logo

10% off code: PRETTYORGANICGIRL

AllMatters organic period cup logo

30% off code: PRETTYORGANICGIRL

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