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Conventional vs Organic Tampons & Pads

Your overall health and well-being is affected by many things, not just what you eat. The thoughts you think, the city you live in, your lotions and potions
Jun 19, 2012 | Joy McCarthy

Your overall health and well-being is affected by many things, not just what you eat. The thoughts you think, the city you live in, your lotions and potions and of course, what you put IN your body. Some of these things are choices and fortunately under our control and some are not.

This post may very well surprise and shock you about something that you wear VERY close to your body and sometimes, inside your body. This is something you can control.

You might be thinking that those tampons and pads you use on a monthly basis created by the likes of large corporations are safe for mama earth and your lady parts, but I'm hear to share some information that perhaps might make you think otherwise.

Unfortunately, some of these big corporations don't take into consideration the health of the planet or YOUR body - shame on them. Could it be that your constant UTI's, yeast infections, endometriosis or hormonal issues be in part due to the products you use when your monthly friend visits? Something to consider my joyous friends.

In this video, I share one of my fave brands of organic tampons and pads:

So here's the deal, the facts:

Every year, BILLIONS of plastic laden pads and liners are disposed of, often ending up in landfill sites and even the oceans of our world.

Most of these pads are made from over 90% crude oil plastic which goes on to pollute global environments forever.

Most tampons and pads are bleached with chlorine which leads to a toxic byproduct called dioxin, which is linked to cancer as it's a known carcinogen and endometriosis.

You often see "Elemental chlorine-free bleaching" on a label (also referred to as chlorine-free). This bleaching process is NOT free of chlorine at all but means that it is not a chlorine gas bleaching process! This does not exclude the use of other types of chlorine in the bleaching process. It is easy to be confused when manufacturers play with language in order to confuse you. Grrrrr!

Recycled cotton any better? Nope. Again... tricky marketing at play. Recycled still cannot be chlorine or pesticide free because there's no way to ensure that the cotton products recycled were clean.

Pesticide-residue getting into your lady parts? 26% of the world’s pesticide is sprayed on cotton. These pesticides have been shown to affect the health of wildlife and humans in a devastating way from infertility, hormonal imbalance, even cancer. In third world countries, up to 70% of farm workers are children aged 5-15 and many involved in spraying these potentially cancer-causing chemicals onto the cotton that your tampons are made from. This is just so wrong because these children are being exposed at such a young age.

If the cord of your tampon has been dyed, then it's a possible source of toxic heavy metals, thanks to azo dyes.

This is why I love the brand featured in my vid:

Natracare products are made from certified organic and natural, plant-derived materials that are chemical and additive free, and biodegradable, containing only organic and natural ingredients sourced from sound ecologically managed producers and certified free from animal testing.

All products are totally-chlorine free and women can be reassured by the fact that Natracare does not contain any synthetic materials or any chemical additives such as surfactants, fragrances, dyes, or lubricants. Choosing only fully certified organic cotton removes the risk of direct exposure to residues from chemical pesticides, fertilisers, defoliants and fungicides commonly used on conventionally grown cotton.

I asked fellow Plant-Based Coach and Expert Candice Schreiber for her take:

"Organic cotton is the way to go for pads and tampons. I put clean, pesticide free, organic food in my body, why not in my hoo hoo? Also the organic cotton products don't contain polyester, dyes, fragrances, or other synthetic ingredients found in regular sanitary products. Also organic cotton is better for mama earth!"

Please share this post with your friends and family. Be informed and take care of your joyous beautiful body as naturally as possible!

Joyous Nutritionista

Jun 19, 2012 BY Joy McCarthy
18 Comments
Cindy   •   June 19, 2012

Thanks for sharing all of your holistic knowledge with us. I switch over to DivaCup and love it. No pads or tampons to waste. Saving some money along the way.

Reply

Joy McCarthy   •   June 19, 2012

Glad to hear it Cindy! I'm not a fan of silicon, but I know it works for many women.

Reply

Beth   •   June 19, 2012

I'm also a DivaCup user and will never go back to pads & tampons.

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Raeanne   •   June 19, 2012

I'm a huge supporter of the diva cup too! And I use Luna pads panty liners (washable pads) as a back up, because I can never be too safe! No waste and a huge money saver!

Reply

Katherine   •   June 19, 2012

This is probably the last thing I need to do to be completely chemical free in my personal care. I also use the Diva Cup, but need to switch from using conventional panty-liners to going organic. Are their similar risks associated with silicon products? Thanks so much for your amazing suggestion! I had no idea this company existed. Will keep my eye out for them.

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Jessica   •   June 19, 2012

I really like Naty products, they are completely plastic free, fragrance free and chlorine free. Plus they are on sale sometimes at Loblaws! lol http://www.naty.com/en/women-care/

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eva   •   June 19, 2012

i use natura care and feel better knowing i'm not addind additional toxions in my body when i call my internal cleaning

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kerr drug optical designer sunglasses   •   June 20, 2012

Ah you have provided here very useful information about Conventional vs Organic Tampons & Pads because you talked here about manufacturing of plastic laden pads and liners are being made with crude oil which is not good for human being you also discussed about Elemental chlorine-free bleaching ,Recycled cotton etc so you have done a great work so that is why you deserved thanks and I hope you must carry on this kind of work

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Amy   •   June 20, 2012

Great post Joy! I also use the Diva Cup and would like to know your concerns about using silicone; are there any risks? Thanks!

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grace   •   June 20, 2012

It never occurred to me that cotton could be so dangerous. Should I be concerned about my cotton underwear too?

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Melanie   •   September 8, 2015

I see a difference with the organic change in my pads.no cramps .less bleeding. Barely can feel it on me.100% cotton pads is the way to go.

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Alyssa   •   January 6, 2016

i switched to the diva cup but not a fan of how easy it can be to dirty it.. as well as my recurrent yeast infection for 2 years.. now that i have a hold on it and threw the diva cup away since the company suggest you buy a new one every time you may get a yeast infection.. like really money grab.. my question is .. can organic tampons prevent yeast infections ? rather then the grocery store crap.. i already use organic liners and wow do they ever breath nice

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Kate McDonald Walker   •   January 8, 2016
Jan   •   August 25, 2016

LorettaTapia   •   March 3, 2016

Great ideas shared...

Reply
Kate McDonald Walker   •   March 4, 2016

Chelsea   •   April 20, 2016

I'm making the switch over to organic products because I strive for organic in every other aspect so it surely makes sense. My main concern is whether or not there is validity that the 100% cotton tampons are safe and do not cause TSS risk! I really do prefer tampons, but I have done pads this period since I read (admittedly, WAY too much crap) about TSS happening even in cases where it seemingly should not have. There was a study done by microbiologist Dr. Tierno & Dr. Hanna that showed cotton as quite safe, but it stands alone, and no other studies validate it...I hope that we ladies get some validation very soon! It's such a big thing that every single woman encounters every month, I wish we had more assurance.

Reply
Heather Allen   •   April 20, 2016

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