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When I quit working outside our home a few years ago, I cut expenses. My personal care products was one of those areas and I began using conventional tampons.
I had forgotten that conventional tampons are bleached with chlorine dioxide. The process is technically “chlorine-free” but it releases dioxin into the environment. Dioxin has been shown to cause cancer. I’m doing whatever I can to stand up to cancer.
Conventional tampons are made with a blend of cotton and rayon. 94% of the cotton grown in the United States is genetically modified (GM). I do my best to keep GM food out of our family’s bodies, somehow I forgot that tampons go in my body, too.
Additionally, more than 10% of the world’s pesticides are used on conventional cotton. It’s hard to believe none of the pesticide residue goes into a tampon.
Tampons typically contain odor neutralizers and fragrances. We know that synthetic fragrance is made with chemicals such as phthalates, linked to hormone disruption and neurotoxins, chemicals that are toxic to the brain.
Sanitary Pads aren’t any Better
The FDA considers sanitary pads to be “medical devices” and therefore, doesn’t require them to have their ingredients listed. They are primarily made from plastic, cotton and wood pulp. Some contain latex, a problem for those with a latex allergy. One sanitary pad is the equivalent of using four plastic bags.
Check out this video from Naturally Savvy to see her light two pads on fire: a conventional pad and an 100% organic pad. The difference is incredible!
Natural Alternatives
There are lots of alternatives to conventional pads and tampons: organic, sea sponge tampons, reusable cotton pads and menstrual cups.
Organic Tampons
I currently use organic cotton tampons but have a Diva Cup sitting in the cupboard ready to try. They are made with 100% organic cotton and toxic pesticides are not allowed in organic agriculture. They are bleached with hydrogen peroxide so there is no dioxin released into the environment.
Organic Pads
Reusable Pads
- Heart Felt Bamboo Reusable Pads
- BubuBibi
- Glad Rags
- DIY (one of the most environmentally friendly and affordable options)
Menstrual Cups
Menstrual cups are typically made with medical grade silicone, are BPA free and latex free. They have got to be the most economical option. It takes about 5-6 boxes of organic tampons to pay for the Diva Cup.
- Diva Cup #1 seller on Amazon
- Lena Cup
- Blossom Menstrual Cup Least expensive menstrual cup with great reviews
- Instead Soft Cup A disposable cup, read the reviews to see why there are some big fans 🙂
Go to the cup, you will never go back! There is a slight learning curve, but it is well worth it. Good luck in what ever you do!!!
I love my diva cup. But I’ll be honest, it took me a while (at least 6 months, maybe longer) to get used to it. But now that I’ve been using it for several years, the idea of anything else is unfathomable. In fact, when my diva cup was destroyed by a certain four-legged member of the family, I opted to buy a new one at whole foods (way more than the price on Amazon) verses having to use tampons for even one month. So give it a try, but don’t feel discouraged if it’s not as perfect as you hoped the first month. I’m sure you’ll love it!
I use the DivaCup and absolutely LOVE it! I think every 12-13 year old girl should be started on the diva cup… I sure wish I had been. You don’t even feel it once it is in place, it does not smell at all, it is easy to clean, it only needs to be emptied every 12 hours (good for work or road trips), you can sleep, run, swim, bathe, use the potty with curious pre-school aged children (your own of course… Everyone knows momma gets no privacy!)… No worry about it slipping out if place like with tampons, or bulk between the legs or show-through like with pads, no smell and no leaks… The benefits are endless! The only con is that it might take some getting used to being so “hands on”. I have no trouble with leaking, and no pain with inserting or removing. Totally worth the upfront expense!
I agree! I totally love my DivaCup. It took me nearly a year after I first learned about it before I was brave enough to try it – but like Brandi has said, the benefits are endless! It is so much better for the earth, for my pocketbook, and for my lifestyle than disposable feminine products and so much less work than reusable pads. It did take a month or two to figure it out, but once I did, I regretted it took me so long to make the switch.
I have not tried the cup but I do roll my own tampons. As in I just use around 6 squares of toilet roll folded in half and rolled tightly to form a tampon. On heavy days 8 squares, on light days 4. It workes for me. The best part is disposal. It is safe to flush down the toilet. It lasts easily up to 6 hours and at times even 8. It also means I don’t have to keep supplies with me.