Let’s discuss a topic that deserves more attention, non-toxic feminine care. Many traditional feminine care products contain harmful chemicals such as dioxins, pesticides, and phthalates, which have been found to disrupt hormonal balance and lead to other health issues. [1] This post aims to reveal harmful materials in conventional feminine care products and explore six non-toxic alternatives designed to protect the body's most sensitive and absorbent tissues.
Below is a list of harmful chemicals and additives that are common in feminine care products or released during production:
Chlorine (bleaching): Most feminine hygiene products are bleached with chlorine to give the products a bright white color. However, the chlorine bleaching process emits dangerous chemicals into the air during production as well as releases harmful by-products that are known carcinogens (cancer-causing). Regular exposure to chlorine bleached products, especially in sensitive areas, can lead to immune disorders, infertility, and inflammation. [2]
Dioxins & Furans: Dioxins and furans are by-products of the bleaching process mentioned above, and are highly toxic compounds linked to cancer risks, reproductive problems, and endocrine disruption (interference with hormones). [3]
Per- & Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS): PFAS are fluorinated compounds known as ‘forever chemicals’ that are common in feminine care like pads and tampons to make the material more absorbent or “leak proof,” but the negative health effects of these chemicals can impact the immune system, cholesterol levels, risk of cancers, and other concerning health related issues. [4] [5]
Pesticides: Pesticides are common in cotton-based feminine care products due to farmers using pesticides on their cotton fields, but the use of pesticides on period products has been linked to infertility, neurological dysfunction, and developmental issues. [6] Due to this, be sure to seek out feminine hygiene items that are free of pesticide and herbicide residues.
Phthalates & Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOCs): Phthalates are used to waterproof feminine hygiene products, but they can cause reproductive harm and lead to various other health issues. [7] VOCs are organic compounds like formaldehyde that can cause skin irritation, allergies, and potentially lead to kidney damage as well as negative impacts on the central nervous system. [8]
Parabens: Parabens prevent bacteria growth and are used as preservatives in many products, even period care products. They are useful preservatives, but the issue is that they are known endocrine disruptors and can impact women’s reproductive health. [9] Also, keep in mind that products labeled as paraben-free may contain other harmful ingredients or preservatives that are less effective.
Fragrances: Synthetic fragrances in pads and tampons can contain hundreds of potentially toxic chemicals that don’t have to be disclosed to consumers, which can cause allergic reactions, skin irritation, and act as disruptors to the endocrine system. [10] Additionally, other fragrance chemicals might include supplementary VOCs and phthalates.
The above list highlights the primary harmful substances found in most conventional feminine hygiene products, but numerous other potentially dangerous chemicals are present in many pads and tampons. This is why switching to non-toxic feminine care products is essential for safeguarding your health.
Not only are conventional period products filled with unwanted ingredients, they also negatively impact the environment. Research indicates that plastic-based menstrual products contribute over 200,000 tons of waste annually due to packaging and their non-biodegradable nature with many of them lingering in the environment for 500 to 800 years before breaking down. [11] To combat this, look for products made from organic cotton, and free from chlorine, fragrances, and synthetic chemicals to support more sustainable menstrual care.
Top Non-Toxic Feminine Care Options
Given the above risks associated with many standard materials used to make feminine care products, a shift toward healthier, eco-friendly feminine hygiene care is critical for the overall health of women everywhere. The six options below provide safer menstrual care products made without harmful materials.
Please note, it's important to be aware that many ‘better-for-you’ feminine care products opt for Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) bleaching to achieve their white appearance. However, ECF involves chlorine dioxide, which is still not preferable due to the high absorbency of the tissues in contact with these products. All of the options recommended below do not use ECF bleaching, but champion safer bleaching alternatives that are completely free of chlorine.
Lilova provides a reusable menstrual care option with their organic cotton (GOTS certified) period panties that are made with OEKO-TEX 100 certified materials. They are composed of 3 different layers with the inner layer made of 95% organic cotton and 5% elastane, the middle crotch is made of 100% microfiber and Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU - considered a non-toxic plastic), and the outer layer is made of 95% organic cotton and 5% elastane. These period panties are free of harmful chemicals, fragrances, silver particles, and latex. Their underwear is tested twice for impurities during production by external laboratories and they are certified PFAS-free.
Available on their website.
The DIVA Cup offers a reusable period care product that is made of medical grade silicone. Their eco-friendly period products are free of chemicals, dyes, plastics, latex, Bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, and rubber. I confirmed with them that their cups are free of Bisphenol S (BPS), and that PFAS are not added to the manufacturing process (though they did not specifically state that they test for PFAS). Also, their products are tested to ensure they are compliant with safety standards maintained by Health Canada and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). When it’s time to clean your Diva Cup, ELEVATED Woo Woo Wash offers a safe option.
Rael offers a reusable pad period care option that is made of cotton grown without the use of pesticides or chemicals. Each pad is made of five layers of organic cotton and come in four different pad sizes. The top and absorbent layers are made of 100% organic cotton, and the backing is made of 99% cotton, 1% polyurethane with the snap closure made of 100% cotton with nickel snaps (be mindful if allergic to nickel). These organic reusable pads are free of fragrance, artificial dyes, parabens, and phthalates. I followed up with them to learn more about how they test the pad for impurities. They provided me with their direct testing results which confirmed that their reusable pads found non-detected for Fluorine (PFAS). They provide other testing results regarding PFAS in their products here.
Find them on their website.
Natracare provides organic cotton (GOTS certified) tampons and pads that are also MADE SAFE certified. All of their products are free of plastics, dyes, dioxin, and fragrances. Their toxic-free period care is made without any chlorine by using the Totally Chlorine Free (TCF) process, which ensures no chlorine compounds are present. Their tampons are made of organic cotton, and the pads are made of organic cotton, ecologically certified cellulose pulp, and plant starch with medical grade polymer (BPA free) glue.
Available on Amazon.
Organyc offers safe feminine care options that are made with organic cotton (GOTS Certified).
Their chemical-free pads and tampons have no added fragrances, dyes, perfumes, and are free of bleach, latex, parabens, plastics, and human-made materials (PFAS). These non-toxic tampons and pads are not bleached (no chlorine) and are instead purified using hydrogen peroxide. You can check out the composition of their pads and tampons here.
Available on Amazon.
Tampon Tribe products are made of toxin-free organic cotton (GOTS certified). Their organic menstrual products do not contain chemicals, plastics, perfumes, dyes, titanium dioxide, chlorine bleach or PFAS. I followed up with them to learn more about their bleaching process. The organic cotton is bleached with body-safe hydrogen peroxide following both the GOTS and International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA) standards, and passes hypoallergenic certification requirements providing non-toxic tampons and pads.
Healthy alternatives for menstruation allow you to embrace a safer and more sustainable approach to period care while supporting your overall well-being. By choosing options free from harmful additives, you can reduce your exposure to chemicals linked to cancer, hormonal imbalance, and allergic reactions. It’s clear that switching to eco-friendly, non-toxic feminine care products is better for your health and the environment.
References
I thought I knew about a lot of non toxic period products but this opened my eyes to what else is available. I'm going to try the underwear you recommended, great article!