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, 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.

Tampons as a source of exposure to metals

They detected concentrations of several toxic metals, including elevated mean concentrations of lead (geometric mean [GM] = 120 ng/g), cadmium (GM = 6.74 ng/g), and arsenic (GM = 2.56 ng/g). Metal concentrations differed by region of tampon purchase (US versus European Union/United Kingdom), by organic versus non-organic material, and for store- versus name-brand tampons. 

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.

• 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!! 

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.

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🍃 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!​

Conventional Tampons

Avoid Conventional tampons that contain toxic material such as synthetic fibers, chemical additives, fragrances, dyes, chlorine bleach, GMOs, pesticides, toxins, latex, and formaldehyde.

❌ 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 totally unnecessary for managing your period.

❌ Plastic Tampons applicators: The majority of applicators are made from plastic or rigid bio-plastics. These usually contain phthalates which end up absorbed through the skin and cause hormone disruption. Plus they don’t biodegrade, contributing to worldwide plastic pollution. Avoid any plastic applicator including BPA free!!

Plastic tampon applicators and BPA-free plastic applicators should be banned!

Conventional Tampons 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

• ❌ SAPS

• ❌ Hidden wadding

• ❌ Glue 

• ❌ Dioxin

​Greenwashing Tampons

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!

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

They may  claim on the packaging organic cotton but then you will find on the ingredient list something like this: Organic cotton (Tampon core, string) Polyethylene, polyester, fiber finish (Security veil) Water-repellent wax (String) BPA-free plastic (Applicator)

❌ BPAFree-Plastic Tampons Applicators

Avoid plastic applicators, you don’t want plastic there even if it is BPA-free, plus they are an environmental hazard. Or Rigid bio-plastics which take longer to decompose. Plastic tampon applicators and BPA-free plastic applicators should be banned! Choosing plastic-free tampons lets intimate skin breathe and cuts out plastic pollution. Pick only Biodegradable Cardboard tampon applicators 

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

Approved Organic Tampons

🍃The best organic tampons are made with 100% GOTS & ICEA sustainable organic cotton – absorbent core and cover. Organic cotton from sustainable farmers. Made with 100% Certified Organic Cotton and no other synthetic material blend.

✅ Organic Cotton: Organic cotton is better since it is made without toxic chemicals so you can keep your vagina free from pesticide residues, plastic or toxic residuals, or rayon found in conventional cotton. 100% organic cotton is grown without the use of pesticides or GMOs and goes through a non-toxic cleansing process that uses oxygen instead of chlorine bleach. Certified organic tampons do not contain titanium dioxide. 100% Certified organic cotton tampons are free of synthetic fibers, chemical additives, fragrances, dyes, chlorine bleach, GMOs, pesticides, toxins, latex, and formaldehyde. 100% certified organic cotton protects our oceans, our soil, and cotton workers.

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✅ Biodegradable Cardboard Tampons Applicators: Pick compostable cardboard applicators or applicator-free

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✅ Totally Chlorine-Free Method (TCF): It is the safest whitening option. You can learn more here.

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🍃The Best tampons:

• 100% GOTS & ICEA sustainable organic cotton 

• Totally Chlorine-Free Whitening Method

• Compostable, Biodegradable cardboard applicators or applicator-free

• Recycled cardboard packaging

• Hypoallergenic

• Plastic-free

• Zero Waste Packaging

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Choose safer products and reduce your plastic footprint with

• Menstrual Cups 

• Organic Pads

• Organic Tampons

• Organic Wipes 

• Period Underwear

• Bladder Control

• Organic Feminine Wash

• Bidets

I listed below all the Best and Approved Organic Tampon brands on the market!

Shop with my links to support my research 💖