Warning: Your Pads and Tampons Contain Toxic Chemicals That Cause Nausea, Chest Pain and Headaches

There are many things to enjoy about being a woman, but a menstrual cycle does not make it on the list for most people. Yet, it is part of nature and part of having a female body. The way you treat your body during this time of the month can have a long-lasting impact on your health.

A huge amount of women rely on pads and tampons for their feminine hygiene needs. However, there are many reasons that you may wish to reconsider. Not only is it environmentally unfriendly to put that much paper waste in the garbage every month, these products can destroy your health.

WHAT’S IN YOUR PADS AND TAMPONS?

The feminine hygiene products you use should be carefully considered. The skin is the body’s largest organ, and the thin skin in the genital area is even more susceptible to toxins, bacteria, and pathogens that may be present in products.

It’s difficult to figure out exactly what is in your pads and tampons. Since they are considered medical items, manufacturers have no obligation to tell customers what they use in these products.

It’s not hard to figure out that many different toxins and chemicals are needed to allow a hygiene product to absorb 10 times its own weight. Some estimates indicate that one pad has as much plastic in it as four plastic bags. Chemicals found in plastic items have been linked to fertility issues, organ damage, and even heart disease.

THE DANGERS OF CONVENTIONAL FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS

There are short-term effects of using these products. If you have particularly sensitive skin or if you have used these products for a long time, it’s likely that you will experience some irritation, burning, or redness in response to a product.

However, it is the long-term health effects that are the scariest. Tampons and pads are doused in chlorine bleach so that they look clean and white. That same material then spends up to eight hours in direct contact with your skin.

Chlorine bleach can create dioxin and a number of other chemical byproducts. Dioxin alone has been linked to a weakened immune system, endocrine system disruption, altered hormone levels, abnormal cell growth, and abnormal tissue growth in the reproductive organs.

HEALTHY AND NATURAL ALTERNATIVES

The average woman with a typical cycle and few pregnancies throughout her lifetime will still use tens of thousands of feminine hygiene products over the course of her reproductive years.

If something is going to have that much direct contact with your reproductive system, you want to make sure that it is safe. Menstrual cups are growing in popularity all over the world. These cups stay near the cervix, collect blood, and can simply be cleaned out as they fill up. Since they are reusable, they are also environmentally friendly.

However, there are safe pad and tampon options you can look into. Consider using products made with organic cotton and that are chlorine-free. Furthermore, remember to switch products every few hours to minimize your risk of infection.