Always dry and confident — but is it really safe?

What is eco intimate hygiene

The harmful ingredients in cosmetics and food grown with pesticides and herbicides are widely discussed among women who care for themselves and the environment. However, there is one — a typically female — area that has until now been talked about very little. It’s worth taking a few moments to consider what connects pads, the health of our intimate areas and the state of the natural environment. What follows from this is, ultimately, changing menstrual habits to more ecological ones, which will benefit everyone involved — well, maybe except for the multinational corporations that produce traditional pads and tampons.

What does the snowy white of traditional pads hide?

The list of harmful substances women are exposed to when using traditional intimate hygiene products is long. A large portion of pads and tampons on the market are made from a mix of cotton and wood pulp. The wood pulp is treated with acids to obtain fibers with the right structure, and during cotton cultivation — the other main ingredient of pads and tampons — about 30 chemical products (pesticides, herbicides, etc.) are used, which women absorb into their bodies through the skin.

The sterile-looking white color of pads and tampons is achieved by bleaching with chlorine — during this process carcinogenic dioxins are released. Additionally, to reach high absorbency, superabsorbent polymers are added to pads, which under certain conditions can also be carcinogenic. Although these dangerous substances and chemicals are present in very small amounts, long-term exposure near one of the most delicate parts of a woman’s body can have very negative health consequences.

• Conventional pads made from non-breathable materials also cause discomfort related to irritation of the intimate areas.
• Substances used in pads and tampons disturb the natural vaginal environment, which can significantly contribute to infections, allergies and even fungal infections.
• Traditional intimate hygiene products also harm the natural environment. Just think about the amount of chemical substances used in conventional cotton production and the damage they cause to ecosystems around plantations. But production is only part of the problem — disposal of these products is the other part.

Over her lifetime a woman uses on average 20,000 intimate hygiene products; most end up in landfills, releasing all the toxic substances used in their production into the soil as they break down. While tampons decompose relatively quickly, biodegradation of a single pad can take up to 300 years. Of course there is an alternative. Interestingly, unlike most eco products that are usually much more expensive than their non-eco counterparts, most eco-menstrual products can save money.

BIO products as an alternative for women’s health and environmental safety

Disposable pads and tampons in ECO version

The basic intimate hygiene products that consider women’s health and the state of the natural environment are disposable pads and tampons in an eco version. Their main ingredient is organic cotton — ideally 100% organic cotton, though sometimes they may contain a mix with wood pulp. The outer layer of disposable ecological pads, the wrappers they are packaged in and the external packaging are biodegradable, making this a solution that’s good for both women and the environment. Because their absorbency comes from cotton rather than superabsorbent polymers, they need to be changed more often, but, which is important for many women, biodegradable pads and tampons made from organic cotton require no changes to menstrual habits.

Reusable pads and tampons in ECO version

Another type of menstrual protection for eco-conscious women is reusable cloth pads and tampons, most often made from cotton or bamboo because of the excellent (natural) absorbent properties of these materials. Their shape is similar to conventional counterparts but they are usually a bit thicker.

Pads are most often fastened with a snap and can come in various colors and patterns; tampons are usually cream-white and their shape depends on the type.

• Because these are reusable products, they should be washed and dried after use.
• Contrary to appearances, this doesn’t require much effort: just remember to soak them in cold water as soon as possible after use, then toss them in the washing machine with the rest of the laundry.
• Since they are made from fabric rather than synthetic materials, the skin can breathe and irritation is avoided.
• Unlike disposable eco pads, reusable pads last for many years, so overall they are cheaper, even compared to conventional alternatives.
• Additionally, like most reusable products, they are far more beneficial for the natural environment.

Another option is sponge tampons — the most natural form of menstrual protection.

• Sponges are harvested from the floor of the Mediterranean Sea, dried, disinfected (most often with tea tree oil) and some, though it’s not necessary, are whitened with hydrogen peroxide for aesthetic reasons.
• Different sponge sizes correspond to varying flow intensity and should also be adjusted to the size of the vagina by gently trimming the edges.
• The sponge is inserted into the vagina — when it becomes saturated it drops, signaling that it needs to be removed, squeezed out and reinserted.
• Tea tree oil is recommended for disinfection purposes.
• Sponges last roughly 6–12 months.

Menstrual cup

The last form of protection available to women today is the much-debated menstrual cup. Although it was first patented in the 1930s, it truly began its worldwide rise only at the start of this century.

• The cup is bell-shaped, with a stem or ball you pull to remove it, and has small holes around the rim that help create a seal.
• It’s inserted into the vagina just below its opening, where it collects menstrual blood.
• When it fills — typically after 4–8 hours — it should be emptied, rinsed and reinserted.
• To keep the cup sanitary it’s good to wash it with unscented soap and occasionally sterilize by boiling.
• The market is dominated by cups made of medical-grade silicone, latex and thermoplastic elastomers. Medical-grade silicone, a material tested for safety in the human body, is the healthiest choice. It’s also better to avoid dyed cups in favor of those with a “natural” color — dye is an additional chemical, and its long-term effects on the vagina are unknown.

As thousands of women around the world have discovered, it’s not only a more ecological, economical and healthier alternative to pads and tampons, but above all an extremely convenient and handy invention that for some can even reduce menstrual cramps. Most importantly, one cup lasts for many years, so choosing one can save a lot of money.

Many women feel their menstrual habits are one thing they won’t change. They have years of using a specific brand of pads or tampons behind them; the familiar brand packaging is an inseparable part of their period, almost a part of themselves.

It’s worth taking a closer look at the pad or tampon in our bathroom or bag, bearing in mind that the intimate areas that come into contact with a pad or tampon are several times more sensitive than the skin on our hands or legs, with a much richer and more fragile bacterial flora.

Despite this, we give this part of our body 4–7 days a month in a non-breathable synthetic material full of substances designed to absorb as much liquid as possible — including the fluids meant to protect the delicate vaginal environment. And to the natural environment we leave tons of synthetic pads and tampons to degrade. Maybe it’s worth considering one of the ecological alternatives?

Based on an article from www.ekokobieta.com.pl