Plastic and Toxins

The average period product is loaded with plastic. With over 45 billion menstrual products used every year. Did you know that a pack of conventional pads contains up to five plastic bags worth of plastic? Plus perfumes, chlorine, dyes, pesticides feminine products!

Plastic wet wipes are frequently flushed as well as tampons and even pads! In fact, period products are the fifth most common item found washed up on Europe’s beaches, with 3.9 million flushed down the loo every single day in the UK alone. Incorrectly flushed or thrown away items are found polluting the coastlines across the world.

​

The Law

Do you know that feminine hygiene products brands aren’t required by law to disclose materials in their pads? 

Tampons, pads, menstrual cups, and discs are considered medical devices by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are not subject to ingredient labeling under federal law. 

There is a significant lack of consumer protection laws regarding feminine hygiene products. Only two states have such laws, and they’re not even in effect yet. New York State is the first state currently working on a law to require disclosure of the material. 

• California has enacted new laws that require expanded ingredient disclosure for feminine hygiene products, including period underwear. As of Jan 1st, 2023, The Menstrual Products Right to Know Act of 2020. (AB 1989) mandates that menstrual products sold in California must clearly and conspicuously list all ingredients used. However, this law only focuses on “intentionally added” ingredients and does not cover contaminants.

• New York has a similar law as of 2021, focusing on “intentionally added” ingredients. The Menstrual Products Right To Know Act (S2387B), championed by New York State Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal and signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo, forces brands to print a simple list of ingredients on all menstrual products.

• Federally, in September 2022, the Menstrual Products Right To Know Act of 2022 (H.R.8829) was introduced to the house, but as of the current date of writing (March 2023), there has been no progress on the bill.

 

Note: Since I am located in California I can disclose to you all the ingredients listed on that packaging thanks to the local law!! 

​

In August 2014 Women’s Voices for the Earth commissioned testing on menstrual pads. The certified laboratory STAT Analysis Corporation analyzed the products for the volatile organic compound. The results of the testing indicate that both scented and unscented pads emit toxic chemicals, including chemicals identified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Toxicology Program, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and the State of California Environmental Protection Agency as carcinogens, and reproductive and developmental toxins. None of these chemicals are disclosed on the product by the manufacturer.

​

Why natural and safer feminine products?

🍃Have you ever had vaginal irritation, such as candida or other skin rashes? Many times they could be caused by toxic products such as conventional lubricants, pads or tampons, and even toilet paper. Elevated levels of toxic chemicals are found in menstrual pads. Choose products that are Certified Organic and toilette paper that are unbleached and fragrance-free to avoid skin reactions.

​

🍃According to Dr. Maggie Ney: " Most cotton tampons—at least 85%, certainly any cotton that is not organic—contain glyphosate, which is problematic because it is a known cancer-causing agent. In fact, the World Health Organization recently ruled it as “probably carcinogenic.” The vagina is a highly permeable space: Anything we put inside can easily be absorbed through the mucous membrane and then into our bloodstream where it presents a toxic burden to the body."

🌸 Celebrity OB-GYN Sherry Ross: “I have always told my patients we need to take care of our vulva and vagina like we do our face, using special cleaning, hydrating, and moisturizing products for this sensitive and temperamental area of our body.” 

​

Choose safer products and Reduce your plastic footprint with

• Menstrual cups 

• Organic pads

• Organic tampons

• Organic Wipes 

• Period Underwear

• Bladder Control

• Organic Feminine Wash

• Bidets

​

Conventional Menstrual Cups

❌ Avoid conventional Menstrual Cups made with plastic material. It petroleum-derived. Not only is not recommended to be in contact with the skin, but it is also polluting.

​

Greenwashing Menstrual Cups

Greenwashing is when a brand pretends to be organic, eco-friendly, and clean green when it is not. They use misleading marketing tactics to convince you to buy the products.

❌ Avoid non-natural materials such as TPE: Thermoplastic elastomers ( TPE ), sometimes referred to as thermoplastic rubbers, are a class of copolymers or a physical mix of polymers (usually a plastic and a rubber) that consist of materials with both thermoplastic and elastomeric properties.

​

Approved Menstrual Cups

Reduce your plastic footprint with reusable menstrual cups or safer menstrual products made from renewable, biodegradable, and compostable materials. Here you will the safest medical-grade silicone menstrual cups.

Welcome to 12-hour leak coverage all period long for the next 10 years.

• ✅ 100% medical grade silicone

• ✅ No leaks, no worries

• ✅ No dryness, no infections

• ✅ Save money, spare our planet

​

SIZE:

• Smaller size: For those younger than 25 who have not given birth vaginally.

• Larger size: For everyone over 25 or anyone who has given birth vaginally.

 

USE:

Christine Greves, MD, an ob-gyn tells Health that it’s best to empty your menstrual cup every four to six hours as you would with a tampon: “A person with a heavier flow might need to empty it more frequently, but adhering to the four to six-hour schedule is a good rule of thumb.”

Many menstrual cup brands also recommend washing the cup with a water-based soap or boiling it for five to ten minutes to clean it in between periods. Remember to adhere to the usage guidelines and avoid leaving them in for long periods of time.

​

I listed below all the Best and Approved Organic Menstrual Cup brands on the market!

Shop with my links to support my research 💖