Feminine Care Products: 3 Easy Ways to Reduce Your Toxic Exposure
What type of feminine care products do you use?
I actually feel violated now that I know my most trusted brand of feminine care products has let me down.
Feminine care products seem to be a taboo subject for some women. Many of us shy away from discussing them out of fear of judgment. But, do you know that many feminine care products contain harmful, toxic chemicals just like many other personal care products? Because feminine care products are an unregulated industry, chemicals like dioxin, pesticides, formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, and fragrance lurk in many of them used by over 43 million women.
DIOXIN
Dioxin is a known cancer-causing agent that is capable of disrupting hormones and has been linked to endometriosis.
PESTICIDES
Pesticides are commonly used in growing cotton – so if the tampon or pad you use is not made of organic cotton chances are you are being exposed to pesticide residue. Pesticides have been linked to infertility, neurological dysfunction and developmental defects.
FORMALDEHYDE
Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives like polyoxymethylene urea and diazolidinyl urea are added to kill any bacterial growth in the product, however, they have been linked to an increased risk of cancer.
FRAGRANCE
Fragrance is found almost everywhere. And because companies are not required to disclose the ingredients in their fragrance you can potentially be exposed to as many as 4,000 additional chemicals. Fragrance has been linked to cancer, developmental toxicity, reproductive toxicity, endocrine disruption, birth defects and neurological disorders.
Unfortunately, feminine care product companies are not legally required to disclose any of their ingredients in any of their products, in addition to fragrance, so you may or may not know you are being exposed to these hidden dangers.
VAGINAL & VULVAR TISSUE
And because vaginal and vulvar tissue are much different and more sensitive than the skin on the rest of your body, it leaves them more vulnerable to exposure to toxic chemicals and irritants. Chemicals absorbed through the vagina are easily and effectively distributed throughout the body, without being metabolized. For example, when drugs are administered vaginally, the levels of the drug in the body can be up to 10-80 times higher than when the very same dose is given orally!
How to reduce your toxic exposure in feminine care products
1. Lessen your use of the following feminine care products, where possible:
-Tampons
-Menstrual Pads / Sanitary Napkins
-Feminine Wipes
-Feminine Wash
-Douche
-Feminine Deodorant
-Over-the-counter Anti-Itch Creams
2. Opt for safer feminine care products from these companies:
3. With the aid of home remedies, a change in diet, and better hygiene, items like douches, wipes, washes, deodorants, and anti-itch creams may be avoided. If you have questions or concerns about your vagina, talk to your doctor.
A Note About Douching
Do you douche?
Did you know that doctors actually recommend that you do NOT douche?
Douching can change the necessary balance of vaginal flora (this is the bacteria that live in the vagina), as well as the natural acidity in a healthy vagina. A healthy vagina has good and harmful bacteria. The balance of bacteria helps maintain an acidic environment. The acidic environment protects the vagina from infections or irritation.
Douching can lead to many health problems, including problems getting pregnant and has also been linked to vaginal infections and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
If you have questions or concerns about your vagina, talk to your doctor.
RESOURCES
Read more about the Cumulative Exposure and Feminine Care Products at The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.
Read the entire 24 page report on the Potential Health Effects of Toxic Chemicals in Feminine Care Products at Women’s Voices for the Earth.
Read more about douching at the Office on Women’s Health.
I cannot thank you enough for this post. I have been concerned about the feminine product issue for a long time. I followed the links you have here and was led to Dr. Mercola’s pads! There are a LOT of negative reviews about the Natracare, and in those reviews, different women were referring to Dr. Mercola and how they were going to return to buying his pads. SO, through this process, I was led to his site, and I just placed an order!! Before I read your article today, I never knew there was such a thing as a healthy, safe alternative. I know God led me here today for a reason, and I can’t thank Him…or you…enough! God bless you with a Merry Christmas!
So, so glad this post was helpful for you! You’re so very welcome! Thank you so much for sharing about the negative reviews and Dr. Mercola’s products. I personally only have used Seventh Generation and Organyc so far and I have no complaints. I’m glad you were led to a safer alternative. Merry Christmas to you, too!
I started using the diva cup a few months ago and love it – I definitely recommend it! Visiting from SITS
Thank you so much for the recommendation!
This is a great article. I have eliminated a ton of toxins in my life because I have stage IV breast cancer. I’m thriving and I owe it to the combination of my medical and naturopath team. I use coconut oil for all sorts of moisturizing and try and find brands (as you have identified above) for the products that aren’t so simple. Glad I found you from SITS.
Hi Caryn, I just read your story on your website and you really are an inspiration. I am glad to hear you are thriving and may you continue to feel better every day. Thank you for visiting.
I’m all about menstrual cups! They’re so much better for my health, the environment as well as my wallet.
Thanks Jackie!
In my opinion, instead of lessening the use of tampons and pads, just totally discontinue using them. Switch to the reusable menstrual cup as it is more eco-friendly and it is economical, too!
Elimination is always a good idea!