Naturally, many women dread the “time of the month.” In addition to abdominal cramps and backaches, many women suffer from irritation while on their periods. Did you know: most pads are made with cotton that has been sprayed with pesticides, herbicides and bleached with chlorine. Conventional pads have also been found to contain other toxic chemicals. According to Womans Voices for The Earth, pads have also been found to contain substances such as:
Styrene: carcinogen (cancer-causing agent)
Chloromethane: reproductive toxicant (substance that adversely affects sexual function and fertility)
Chloroethane: carcinogen (cancer-causing agent)
Chloroform: carcinogen (cancer-causing agent), reproductive toxicant (substance that adversely affects sexual function and fertility), neurotoxin (destructive to nerve tissue)
Acetone: irritant
These substances are absorbed into the body when we wear pads leading to compromised reproductive health. Direct contact with the sensitive skin of our genital area can also cause irritation, throwing off pH balance and thus leading to infections such as bacterial vaginosis (BV).
Using natural, organic sanitary pads reduces risk of irritation, exposure to toxic chemicals and carcinogens and is an overall healthier choice for you and for the environment!
Citations:
Park C.J., Barakat R., Ulanov A., Li Z., Lin P.-C., Chiu K., Zhou S., (…), Ko C.J.(2019). Sanitary pads and diapers contain higher phthalate contents than those in common commercial plastic products. Reproductive Toxicology, 84 , pp. 114-121.