Are Organic Pads & Tampons Better For You?
Have you ever wondered, are organic pads and tampons actually better for you?
The average woman will have about 500 periods in her lifetime. That means you spend about 10 years bleeding. So the products you choose to use are a bigger deal than you might think.
Menstrual cups and period underwear are two other options available to women today. But pads and tampons still tend to be the easiest and most convenient choice for many of us.
I only switched to organic sanitary products a year ago, and from my experience, the transition may not be as easy as you’d hope.
Firstly, it was noticeably more expensive buying organic pads and tampons. But I expected this, because it’s the same when you buy organic food in the supermarket. It really depends on what you value, and how you want to invest your money.
Secondly, I found the pads weren’t as absorbent as the regular ones I was used to. That meant I ended up leaking, and having to change pads more often than usual.
That’s because the way the pads are made is different. Non-organic pads have a perforated layer on top, where as organic ones don’t. And this can leave them feeling wetter, and also needing to be changed more regularly.
But if you’d only ever used organic pads since you started your period, then you wouldn’t notice the difference, right? So I think this is something you can definitely adjust to if you do want to make the switch.
So, are organic pads and tampons better for your body?
I believe they are, and the benefits outweigh the cons.
Here’s what going organic really means.
Organic pads & tampons are better for your health
Regular pads and tampons contain lots of potentially harmful chemicals and toxins like rayon, fragrances and deodorants, artificial dyes, phthalates, and chlorine processing.
Dioxins – known to be cancerous – are a by-product of the chlorine bleaching process which is used to whiten the cotton and make it look clean.
Many non-organic products are also scented or fragranced, and this can cause irritation and damage to your vagina – which is an incredibly permeable area of the body.
It has been suggested this can be worse that eating harmful chemicals, because when they touch your skin they are absorbed directly into the bloodstream, which go to your organs.
Genuine organic pads and tampons are made from 100% organic cotton, and don’t use chlorine in the bleaching process. This means they are free from potentially harmful chemicals, ultra breathable, and much kinder to your skin, body, and overall health.
Organic pads & tampons are better for farmers
It’s easy to buy food, clothing, and toiletries, and not think twice about where they’re made, or who made them. But the reality is, there are lots of people involved in the supply chain. And when you make a purchase, it has an effect on all those people.
Buying products that are made with non-organic cotton means that the farmers aren’t protected by the health implications of the dangerous chemicals used on the cotton crops.
These chemicals also have a damaging effect on their land, which can leave it un-fit for growing crops in the future, which can have catastrophic financial effects for them and their families.
Organic cotton farming protects farmers from those chemicals, and is more sustainable for the land.
So when you make a choice to buy organic pads and tampons, you’re supporting those farmers, and decreasing the demand for non-organic farming.
It’s definitely worth thinking about this when it comes to other purchases you make on a day to day basis.
Organic pads & tampons are better for the planet
Organic cotton farming protects the earth
We’ve already covered this briefly, but organic farming works with nature, not against her.
Harmful pesticides and herbicides are not used in the process, which means that toxic chemicals don’t end up in our earth or waterways.
Organic cotton also requires less water and energy to be produced, which means it’s a much more economical use of resources.
Wildlife is protected
Another effect of organic cotton farming is the protection of wildlife.
Insecticides kill birds, butterflies, bees, and other pollinating species of wildlife, and there has been a noticeable decline in numbers due to intensive conventional farming, which heavily uses these chemicals.
More than three quarters of the world’s food crops rely on pollinators to grow.
By choosing to go organic, we can protect our wildlife, and avoid potential harm and huge disruption to our own food supply.
Plastic pollution is reduced
Did you know that an average sized pack of pads contains the same amount of plastic as five plastic shopping bags?
We’ve already seen the catastrophic effect that plastic pollution is having on our oceans and beach fronts. And it takes hundreds of years to break down.
Good organic pads and tampons are plastic free. And that means they’re compostable too!
Our favourite organic pad & tampon brands
Time Of The Month are a UK based period care company. They sell tampons, pads, and liners are all made with GOTS certified organic cotton. Unlike conventional cotton, this is grown without toxic, synthetic pesticides and uses sustainable farming methods.
They also offer a reusable, zero-waste menstrual cup; and free UK delivery.
Freda offer products that contain no chemicals, without compromising on protection or comfort.
Tampons are made of 100% certified organic cotton and are biodegradable, hypoallergenic and free from chemicals and synthetic fibres commonly found in tampons. Whilst their pads contain 100% eco-friendly and renewable materials.
LOLA’s tampons, pads, and liners are all hypoallergenic, made with 100% organic cotton, no toxins, dyes or synthetic fibres.
They also offer a LOLA for business service, which allows companies to order products for their work spaces and offices.
Honest don’t just offer feminine care products. They also stock kinder products for babies, beauty, cleaning, and bath & body for the whole family.
Honest offer a small range of GOTS certified organic pads, tampons and liners. Made without all those harmful chemicals that you don’t need or want.
A few things to remember when shopping for organic pads & tampons:
- Check for the GOTS (Global Organic Textiles Standard) certification on products. This means that the product you are buying has been grown, manufactured, and treated organically.
- Organic tampons won’t reduce or eliminate your risk of TSS (toxic shock syndrome). That means it’s important to buy the right size for your flow (don’t get a bigger one than you need), change it every 3-4 hours, and don’t wear one overnight.
- They will generally be more expensive than the pads or tampons you purchase from the supermarket or pharmacy. That’s because they’re made in an ethical way, which better supports the people involved and the planet.
And, if you want to learn more about the four phases of your menstrual cycle, you can click here to read all about it, and how its linked to the moon cycle.
