Have you noticed lots of new non toxic period products showing up in your social media feeds that are being marketed as toxin-free, organic, and sustainable? I definitely have. 

Most women in America use 11,000 tampons on average in their lifetime. That equates to about 20 billion pieces of plastic in landfills worldwide. 

Unfortunately, the conventional tampons that you grew up with and might still use today have a short list of toxins that should be avoided.

In this episode, I’m getting really clear on what toxins can be found in conventional period products and why they should be avoided. But I’m most excited about covering the truly non toxic period products we can choose from today!

IN THIS EPISODE, I COVER:

• The biggest concern from a toxins perspective is the presence of dioxins
• The bleaching process: why it’s necessary and what you need to know about the different methods of bleaching
• The ingredient you need to look out for in organic period products – titanium dioxide
• My favorite brands to consider when shopping for organic tampons
• The difference between a cup and a disc
• My favorite brands to consider when shopping for cups and discs
• My personal favorite period product – period underwear
• How to take care of period underwear to make sure you’re getting long lasting products
• The Thinx Underwear controversy
• My favorite brands when it comes to period underwear

Legislation Around Period Products

Considering that so many tampons are being used and women are literally putting them in their vagina, you would think that ingredients and safety information would be a top priority. And you would be wrong. 

Get this: Tampons, pads, period cups, and discs are not even considered personal care products. They’re considered medical devices. This distinction means they are protected from any requirement to tell you what’s in them. 

When you look at the ingredients on your box of tampons, they might all be there, or they might not be.

Legislation has been introduced nine times that would require manufacturers disclose tampon components, including contaminants, preservatives, and fragrances. However, the proposed bills never made it past the House.

How much do you want to bet that if the majority of the representatives had menstrual cycles, that bill would have passed on the first try?

Toxins in Period Products

You probably think tampons are just made of cotton, but most conventional tampons contain cotton, rayon, dioxin from the bleaching process, residue from non-organic cotton, mystery fragrance ingredients full of hormone disruptors, and in some cases, titanium dioxide.

Vaginas are covered in mucus membranes that absorb toxins without metabolizing them. Studies show that the absorption of certain drugs through the vagina results in blood levels 10x higher than those taking an oral dosing. Whatever is going into your vagina is ending up in your blood stream.

Although pesticides, preservatives, and fragrances aren’t good, the biggest concern from a toxins perspective is the presence of dioxins.

Dioxins are highly toxic chemicals that cause:

• Endometriosis
• Cancer
• Reproductive issues
• Damage to the immune system

Dioxins aren’t added on purpose to period products, but they’re a byproduct of the bleaching process of conventional tampons. Even trace amounts of dioxin in your body accumulate over time. 

My Favorite Non Toxic Period Products

There are some seriously awesome products out there that I wish were available when I was a teenager. And better yet, some of these are available at Walmart, Target, and Amazon, making them even more accessible.

I will say that some of these are a little pricier than you’re used to seeing, but if this is an important swap to you like it is to me, it’s worth the extra cost.

These are some of my favorite tampon brands:

• Cora
• Organyc
• Lola

If you prefer cups or discs, here are some options:

• Saalt
• Honeypot
• Cora

Where was period underwear when I was growing up? It’s so comfortable and amazing at stopping leakage. I am a huge fan and after trying multiple brands, these are my favorites.  Comfortable and no leaking!

• ModiBodi
• Aisle
• The Period Company

Find all my favorite non toxic period products on the Toxin Free Shopping Guide.

Make the Switch to Non Toxic Period Products

I encourage you to try a few of these products and see what you think. If there’s no real difference to what you already use (and in my experience, there isn’t), why not make the switch to something without harmful chemicals?

If you have a period brand you would like for me to review, send me a message on Instagram.

Related Episodes:

Episode 78: How to Choose Safe Menstrual Products and Avoid Heavy Metals in Tampons

Episode 86: Do You Need Titanium Dioxide-Free Makeup? Here’s the Rundown 

IF YOU ENJOYED THIS WEEK’S EPISODE, PLEASE:

• Leave a positive review or rating wherever you listen
• Shop toxin-free products on my Toxin Free Shopping Guide
• Download your free Tossing the Toxins Guide
• Post a screenshot, share what you loved, and tag me on Instagram @wendy_toxinfreeish
• Want to ask me a question to get answered on the podcast? Leave me a voice message here.