It is always frustrating when something that is really convenient and time-saving ends up being really unhealthy… like plastic water bottles or antibacterial hand sanitizer.
One glaring example of this I’ve been researching lately is conventional tampons and pads. I know, I know… everything is toxic these days and it sometimes seems like we have to be afraid of everything, but there are some really compelling reasons to avoid conventional feminine hygiene products.
Luckily, there are some great time- and money-saving alternatives.
The Problem With Pads
Modern sanitary napkins or “pads” and tampons have definitely made feminine hygiene easier and more convenient, but everything comes with a price.
Environmental Concerns
From an environmental perspective, a tremendous amount of these products end up in landfills and water treatment facilities. An average woman will use over 16,000 tampons or pads (up to 300 pounds!) in the course of her lifetime, sometimes more.
Most of these products contain plastics, which are problematic in their own right and take a long time to break down. They also contain special chemicals and ingredients that make them able to absorb 10x their weight in liquid. These chemicals have not been comprehensively studied for their effect on the environment, however.
Plastic Problems
I’ve written before about the dangers of plastic exposure, and we often don’t think about how things like pads can be a major source of plastic exposure.
The labia and vaginal area is highly vascular, meaning that a lot of small blood vessels run to this area. The skin is also especially thin down there, making it easier for plastic chemicals to enter the body that way. Many pads and some tampons contain plastic chemicals and can even contain BPA and other plastic chemicals. From this article:
For example, plasticizing chemicals like BPA and BPS disrupt embryonic development and are linked to heart disease and cancer. Phthalates — which give paper tampon applicators that smooth feel and finish — are known to dysregulate gene expression, and DEHP may lead to multiple organ damage. Besides crude oil plastics, conventional sanitary pads can also contain a myriad of other potentially hazardous ingredients, such as odor neutralizers and fragrances. Synthetics and plastic also restrict the free flow of air and can trap heat and dampness, potentially promoting the growth of yeast and bacteria in your vaginal area.
Cotton or Not: Both Can Be a Problem
From watching commercials, you’d think that all tampons and pads are made up of entirely soft pillowy cotton from pristine white fields. Unfortunately, this is not usually the case.
Some tampons and pads do contain cotton, but most contain rayon, a synthetic material. There is some evidence that synthetic fibers can pull too much moisture from the vaginal walls and stick to the soft skin there, leaving tiny synthetic fibers that may increase the risk of TSS, Toxic Shock Syndrome.
The tampons and pads that are actually made of cotton are usually bleached with chlorine (problematic on its own) or other chemicals.
Additionally, cotton is one of the world’s dirtiest crops and is often sprayed with a variety of pesticides. The Rodale Institute reports:
- Cotton is considered the world’s dirtiest crop due to its heavy use of pesticides. Aldicarb, cotton’s second best-selling insecticide and most acutely poisonous to humans and wildlife, is still used in 25 countries, including the U.S., where 16 states reported it in their groundwater. Worldwide, cotton covers 2.5% of the cultivated land and cotton growers use 16% of the world’s pesticides.
- Eight of the top 10 pesticides most commonly used on U.S. conventionally produced cotton were classified as moderately to highly hazardous by the World Health Organization. The Environmental Justice Foundation elaborates more on the world wide negative effects of pesticide use in cotton.
- Cotton (83%) is one of the top four GMO crops produced in the world which includes soy (89%), canola (75%) and corn (61%). GMO cotton production ranks ninth in global crop production.
- On an average, 90 percent of U.S. cotton in 2010 was genetically engineered, according to a USDA survey. However 95 to 98% of all cotton is now genetically engineered in nine of the eleven cotton producing states surveyed.
On top of that, a 2015 study found that 85% of tampons were contaminated with glyphosate (an herbicide linked to cancer) and that number was 100% when cotton gauze products were tested!
Not really what you want being absorbed into your bloodstream from one of your body’s most sensitive areas (that also happens to be part of your reproductive system!).
Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)
When I was a teenager, I read the warning labels in my tampon box one time and was scared to use tampons for months. Though rare, Toxic Shock Syndrome (or TSS) is a life-threatening infection that can occur, especially with tampon use.
Current theories suggest that the Staphylococcus aureus (staph) or group A streptococcus (strep) bacteria cause the TSS infection and that wearing a tampon (with its rough surface) in the dark, warm, and moist environment of the vagina can increase the chances of this infection.
Of course, this isn’t a risk with sanitary napkins, but they have their own risks and problems (plastics, chemicals, synthetic fibers, etc).
If you do use tampons of any type, make sure that you are aware of the symptoms of TSS and act quickly if you ever suspect you may have it.
Natural Solutions
I suspect we will continue to find out more and more about the importance of avoiding chemicals in feminine hygiene products, but there are some great options already available.
These options are a win-win. They are made with natural materials so they are safer for use, and they reduce or eliminate waste and environmental chemicals as well.
Organic/Natural Pads and Tampons
If you want to stick with the convenience of traditional tampons and pads, at least opt for natural and/or organic ones. These have become much more widely available lately and are about the same price as regular options in many cases. My favorite is Rael brand, which are made with 100% organic cotton cover.
Menstrual Cups
I’ll admit, it took me a long time to work up to this option and now I feel silly for taking so long to make the switch. To be fair, I was so busy having babies that I didn’t have many opportunities to try them, but now that I have… I’m a convert!
A menstrual cup is exactly what it sounds like — a reusable soft-sided cup that fits inside the vagina to collect menstrual flow. It is reusable, leak-proof (in my experience), and much more comfortable than regular tampons. They don’t carry the risk of TSS that tampons do and can be safely worn for up to 24 hours.
Yes, it takes some experimenting to get used to using a menstrual cup, but once you get used to it, it is so much easier. I get into all the details (yes, all of them) in this post.
Where to get them:
I used the Diva Cup for years. It comes with two options: Size 1 for pre-childbirth and Size 2 for post-childbirth (vaginal or c-section) or for women over 30. Last year, I had to buy another menstrual cup when I forgot to bring the Diva cup while traveling and ended up with the Luna Cup, which I actually prefer to the Diva Cup now. Both of these options are medical-grade silicone and considered completely safe.
Cloth Pads
If you’re unsure about the menstrual cup idea, reusable pads are another great option. They are more comfortable than plastic-based pads and have a waterproof liner so they don’t leak through onto clothing.
Many work even better than disposable options. The only downside is that you do have to wash them, but I’ve found that this is a minimal inconvenience to avoid chemicals and keep plastics out of the landfill.
Where to get them:
My favorites are these handmade cloth menstrual pads from a local family-owned business (they can ship them worldwide!)
Sea Sponges
I usually just use the Diva cup, but another great option is a sea sponge. I don’t think I’ve totally gotten the hang of them, but they do work well and are easy to use like the Diva Cup. If the menstrual cup is uncomfortable for you, they might be worth a shot. I got mine from here.
Do They Work?
I knew I felt better and loved the convenience of the natural options (especially the Luna cup and cloth pads) but I was amazed by some of the things people said on Facebook when I posted this:
- “I have polycystic ovarian syndrome and my periods have always been unpredictable. I decided to make the switch to cloth pads and I’m so happy that I did. Within just a few months I began to have regular cycles. I used to have heavy bleeding and severe cramps/horrible stabbing pains. I’ve been pain-free and regular for 8 months now. I’ll never go back to chemical-ridden disposable products again.”
- “I switched to natural care products and also use glad rags as liners. Made the switch 2 yrs ago when I was diagnosed with reproductive issues and have never looked back. I feel better too. Firm believer that this affects women more than we realize.”
- “I use the Diva cup, and I suffer from ovarian cysts that rupture every month. Before switching to Diva, I could be using the worlds largest diaper pad and STILL feel the “gush” while sitting in the middle of the restaurant and have to figure out how to save my dignity. The Diva cup has been a lifesaver!! I can go out in public without worry, AND I can sleep through the night without worry.”
- “I don’t have an extremely heavy flow like it sounds you do but my first starting day is my worst day. I’ve been using the diva cup going on two years and I will never go back to pads or tampons. I do have a history or extremely bad cramps (puking, cold sweats, pass out from exhaustion) and ovarian cysts but since using the diva cup my period has cut down from 7-8 days to 3-5 days and my cramps are half of what they used to be. I still get the cramps but I use a heating pad and I can at least function that day…. It took me about 3-4 times using it to feel 100% confident that when I put it in it wasn’t going to leak. I’m sure I’m not the only one that was constantly running to the bathroom to check!”
- “Love, love, love my diva cup! Switched about 3 years ago & only wish I’d known sooner. Went from bleeding through a super plus tampon in 20 mins on my heavy day to just having to empty my diva cup morning and night and only once a day the rest of my cycle.”
- “Flow went from heavy down to probably less than normal? Cycle went from a full 7 days to 3 or 4 days with only 2 being at all heavy. And all but stopped at night. (don’t even need the cup at night) Much less cramps and discomfort in general. I had done a LOT of hormone work the year or so prior to starting to use it, so I’m sure that was part of things, but deff saw some big changes after using it for several months. It takes some getting used to and some trial and error.”
- “Menstrual cups have changed my period! My horrible cramps are a thing of the past!!”
This article was medically reviewed by Madiha Saeed, MD, a board certified family physician. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.
What do you think? Do you use natural alternatives to tampons and pads? What has worked best for you? Please share with a friend to help spread this important info!
Ignorance prevented me from switching over sooner…. I’d been using organic sanitary products for years and had never considered looking into reusable options. In our household, adopting a ‘wholefood’ and natural lifestyle we’ve eliminated as many synthetic elements from our lives as possible. I’m ever proud of us for doing so and am constantly looking at ways we can change for the better. I came off the pill, and started using a Lady Comp and then finally, after some research I ordered my ‘Juju’ cup and honestly haven’t looked back. My body responded immediately. I personally cut of the cup ‘tail’, after trying it a few times and also inside out. I have eliminated the monthly ‘odour’ i previously experienced and the dryness and itchiness tampons caused. I share the word to every woman who asks and am a huge advocate for all to make the switch, if they haven’t already.
When we think of natural solutions to stay healthy, we often don’t even think of such little (er, maybe not so little after all) practical issues… but hygiene is definitely one area to watch if we want to stay healthy the natural way!
I found this article very intriguing and it led me to do more research to find out if menstrual cups are right for me. It turns out I need to consult with my doctor about whether I can use a menstrual cup with my IUD, I suppose it depends on the type of menstrual cup. Most cups are designed to sit in the lower portion of the vaginal canal but there is a brand that is designed to rest directly under the cervix, which is beneficial if your sex life is active during menstruation or dislike having an object protruding from your vagina. If I can make this work I am excited… about contributing less to the landfills! Thank you Katie for another enlightening article, I love reading this blog.
Hi Elizabeth, Of course you should still check with your doctor, but I wanted to tell you that a friend of mine uses a menstrual cup with her IUD. She has a copper IUD and uses the DivaCup, and she said it’s just like using her menstrual cup before she got the IUD. I also use the DivaCup, though I don’t have an IUD, and after more than five years, I will never ever go back to tampons or pads. Anyway, best of luck finding a solution that works for you!
It’s funny that you posted this today… I was just reading the e-book “Quit PMS” by Lauren Geertsen and she talks about natural alternatives for menstrual flow. I jumped over to your site to check out your recommendation, and viola! There it was! I’m going to try the Diva Cup… Katie, I love your blog, especially the beauty products and natural remedies. I made a batch of your vapor shower melts tonight and am excited to see how it helps my 3 year old with her lingering nasal congestion from a recent cold. Thanks for all you do!
Love my DivaCup! I agree that it took about 3 cycles for me to feel like I had it right. I also have a super heavy flow so I have to clean it every 3 hours but with tampons I was at about every 45 mins. I have saved so much money and waste by switching! Not to mention I have much less cramping now. My next venture will be cloth pads.
Wow thanks for sharing this, Capri! My flow is extremely heavy the first day, sounds similar to yours. I just may have to try this after reading these reviews. Now to talk my soon to be 13 year old into it 😉
I use the lunette menstrual cup and I have also tried the Meluna they are both great cups the lunette is my favorite though because of ease of opening once inserted. But I will never switch. My only regret is I did not find menstrual cups sooner. I used to have debilitating cramps with tampons and napkins gave me a rash it’s so nice to have another alternative.
I love the cloth pads. They are soooo much more comfortable and pretty too.
First I want to give you a bug thank you for writing this! :)there are way too many people unaware of the dangers of the products they use all the time like pads and tampons. So I’m really glad you wrote this to help bring awareness to the subject 🙂 but I also wanted to mention there is also another alternative feminine product. Its called the sea sponge. And its the alternative to a regulsr tampon. But since they’re just sponges, that are humanely and carefully harvested, there is absolutely no risk of TSS. How awesome is that? 🙂 and they’re reusable of course 🙂 and once they’ve had their run they’re biodegradable 🙂 you can find them at jadeandpearl.com that’s where I got mine. I never did end up using it (got pregnant 🙂 but I love the product 🙂 they also have sea sponges to help with pelvic prolapse. But I think hey got removed from the site. You have to call jadeandpearl.com to ask about I think. Anyways just wanted to mention sea sponges are another option for alternative tampons 🙂
Good point. I tried those too and they didn’t work as well for me, but I added them in case they work well for others. Thanks for the reminder.
How do you get the diva cup out if you put it in inside out? I’m scared I won’t be able to remove it.
I have never heard about these before and I am glad you shared this I just ordered one and am excited to see how it works
I LOVE the diva cup! I thought it would be kind of gross but I feel so much cleaner.
I totally agree! I barely notice that time of the month any more. I had never been comfortable with tampons, my body just did not like them. Pads are almost suffocating I hated them too but I thought it was my only option until I heard of menstual cups. I took the plunge a few months ago and bought a Mooncup and it’s fantastic 🙂
Getting used to it was weird and I had a trouble removing it the first few times. Then I learnt the muscle technique and to just relax, it’s second nature now. So easy.
I was scared about needing to empty it in a public bathroom though but it’s not so bad although I’ve only done it once.
I agree and if you don’t have an extremely heavy period you won’t ever have to empty in public.
It just sounds SOOOOO gross to me! How do you get over that to clean it? The thing I love about tampons and pads is I don’t really have to look at them when I throw them away so I can pretend the whole disgusting period thing isn’t happening. I’d love to use a natural alternative but I am just so grossed out by the thought of cleaning/reusing something used down there. 🙁
I feel the exact same way!! I would like to hear how people deal with it.
When I first heard about natural alternatives to pads, I thought the same thing that you two (Kelsey and Taelor) expressed. Thing is, the disposable options make me feel like my period is a lot more disgusting than it is. Disposable pads make me feel gross, possibly because of how they’re made, or possibly because they go with the idea of “I shouldn’t touch this–the things that come from my body are dirty”. It’s weird to say, but taking care of re-usable products makes me feel a lot better about my period, like it’s just a thing my body does. (Oh wait–it is! 🙂 ) I kind of enjoy taking care of it. I’d say at least try it, and if you can’t handle hand-washing (which is my preferred method), then you can always try a kind that you can just toss in the laundry; or you can try one (like I did) and if you don’t like it, stop. Even if you find you don’t like using other options, it might be a really positive experience for you overall. 🙂 Hope this helps 🙂
I think that by using disposables, we acquire the belief that our bodies are somehow “dirty” and what comes out of them is “gross” and unsanitary. As Krys said, using a menstrual cup or reusable pads actually kind of makes you stop and think about your body and period — it kind of makes you appreciate it and look at it in a new light. I know it sounds gross, but honestly, it’s just blood. When you cut your finger, are you absolutely disgusted and think of yourself as dirty? When a child comes up to you with a cut knee, are you repulsed and grossed out? Maybe, but mostly likely not. All that is coming out of you is blood (which is sterile…). It’s not the same as poop or vomit…
And it’s actually kind of cool in a way because you get a lot more intimate with yourself. We tend to think we lose a lot of blood during our periods, but if you use a cup, you can physically see that you only lose about 3-4 teaspoons a day (well, for me… my period is pretty light). For me, using a menstrual cup has changed my perspective about my period. I now respect my body and myself more because I realize my body isn’t gross or dirty and I shouldn’t feel ashamed of my period… It’s natural. Also… you do get used to it. Just like with tampons, there is a learning curve for cups. It seems like it is more involved (which yes, I guess it is), but after awhile it becomes second-nature. I’ve tried the applicator-less tampons before, yikes! My cup is actually easier and more comfortable to use than those OB tampons, for sure.
*Plus I’m saving the Earth by drastically decreasing the amount of waste I’m sending to the landfill. This is actually the main reason I switched to reusable products in the first place 🙂 And finally, reusable pads are extremely cute. Kind of brightens my day when I go to the bathroom and see my pad printed with smiling pigs wearing sunglasses all over it!
I was also very “grossed out” at the thought of “reusable” hygiene products. I tried the Diva Cup first, after hearing my friend rave about it & how she could do yoga with it and had no leaking (which impressed me). The Diva Cup (size 2– I’ve had two children and I turn 39 this year) is my “go to” alternative to tampons, which I rarely used in the first place (I kept them in case of wanting to swim, etc).
Then I tried the Charlie Banana brand of reusable pads after a different friend raved about it (and her husband even nodded in agreement!). The CB isn’t long enough for me, however. 🙁 Also, even though it washed with no staining, I didn’t like messing up the white. To get the longer size that I needed, I gave a bamboo charcoal reusable pads by seller “Hibaby” on Amazon a try. LOVE THEM!!!! Let me repeat that. . . I LOVE THEM! I won’t be buying disposable pads for feminine hygiene any longer, and I probably won’t even need them as sterile bandages (yes, they work great as a sterile bandage, say, for a chainsaw injury across a knee–not me, but someone else). I love “Hibaby”‘s reusable pads for a few reasons: 1) the portion that “catches” the blood is dark grey, so I don’t feel that I’m making something mess {which also helped me get over the “ick” factor}; 2) they hold a lot– I was quite surprised when I rinsed one in my sink. . . and like has been mentioned, I wasn’t as grossed out as I thought I would be, because in rinsing it, it’s “just blood,” like from any wound or whatever– “ick” factor mostly gone! 3) they are SO comfortable! I actually forget I’m wearing it, because it feels like just panties!; 4) fun and cute and pretty fabric patterns that actually make me smile.; 5) cost effective & I love that I’m not contributing more to a landfill; I’m on a septic tank, so that also helps me feel better about caring for our environment; 6) I, too, was diagnosed with PCOS over a decade ago & I have other major health problems I am slowly overcoming– being chronically ill and extremely low energy, I didn’t think I’d be able to “handle” reusable pads, but they’re actually not that much more by way of energy expenditure; 7) I am so thrilled, and my teen daughter tried the CB one I hadn’t used (I knew after trying one of the 3 pack that they were far too short for me) & she wants to stick with the reusable pads– though she was initially concerned about the “ick” factor, she deeply cares about the environment a great deal, and she understands how environmentally friendly the reusable pads are, so she, too, got over the “ick” factor!
Something that didn’t occur to me until I looked up “mama cloth” and did some reading is that this present cycle I’m finishing, having used my charcoal bamboo pads by Hibaby, is I had ZERO cramping! Usually, the first day for me is a “non-functional” day– like, I pretty much just sit with a hot water bottle (if I remember) against my abdomen, or I go back to bed from the exhaustion (I have anemia, to boot!); I’ll have to check w/ my daughter, because she normally cramps really bad on the first day (she will only use a hot water bottle and refuses to take any pain medicine!!!) or two, also. I do know that she mentioned this last cycle of hers that she was “surprised” when it started because there were no PMS symptoms! I will be keeping this information in mind since both her & I have suffered PMS, and “female problems” run in my family line.
I hope that answers your question AND encourages you to give natural alternatives a try. Oh, “Hibaby” does have a pack–which is what I’m getting my daughter– which includes a Luna cup, along with two pad sizes AND a mini wet bag (all for only $30!). My written exchanges with “Hibaby” have been friendly, professional, and pleasant. Yes, the product comes from China, but it is well made!
Good fortune to you if you choose to try alternatives to disposables!
Once more. . . even my OCD tendencies (diagnosed!) was able to get over the “ick” factor and using the reusable pad is actually “less icky” than using toilet paper for “erm, clean up,” so, I mean, think about that difference!
Once you start using reusable products, you really do realize that its just blood and it won’t be gross to you anymore! But articles like this one are what really helped me to get over it https://bohocollective.com/blog/2015/7/22/5-reasons-you-should-love-your-period
Also, they’re so much more comfortable that you really won’t care:)
I thought it might be gross too but it’s so much grosser to see a pad full of blood and some sticking to me. The menstrual cup actually seems much cleaner to me now that I own one. I feel cleaner using my Lunette menstrual cup. I never used tampons though.