We’re talking natural products for periods today. I believe we have a right to be informed consumers about the pads and tampons on the store shelves; and the natural alternatives that are available to us.
So this post is for ladies only. Ok last chance to bail before the girl talk starts!
Natural Products for Periods
A couple of years ago I started to really become aware of the junk that is in our standard American diet, namely GMOs. I took steps to get eating better, enlarged my garden to supply more organic veggies; I even started changing how I cleaned. I felt great about what was in our home and going into our bodies. Until…someone posted an article on Facebook about GMOs and chemicals in our pads and tampons. I use these products regularly and I am the mother of 3 daughters; this concerned me greatly. I started researching the heck out of it. I was shocked to learn what we are using during our cycles could be harming us.
Let’s talk turkey – what’s in our feminine products?
Nasty Materials – like rayon, cancer-causing glyphosate, bleached cotton, cotton grown with pesticides, and GMO cotton. Not to mention chemical fragrances, artificial dyes, polyester (yes, Aunt Flo is stuck in the 70s), crude oil products and a frightening list of other scientific names I can’t pronounce.
- Further Reading:
Dr. Mercola’s article on feminine product’s toxic ingredients
Meghan Telpner’s articles on tampons (be sure to read all 3 parts)
EcoWatch’s article on glyphosate in tampons
I decided I no longer wanted to be at the mercy of these companies; I immediately started looking for natural products for periods! So now that I’ve had some time to check them out, I can share them with you.
Natural Products for Periods – Tampons
If you want to stick to tampons but what better, more natural ingredients; these are some good choices. You will notice that these tend to be less absorbent than the tampons you’ve used in the past. But the ingredients companies us to make their pads super absorbent also deplete the vagina its natural healthy vaginal secretions.
Seventh Generation Tampons
Natracare – Tampons With Applicator
Veeda 100% Natural Tampon
Sea Sponge Tampons
Natural Products for Periods – Pads
I am giving you both disposable and reusable options for natural pads.
Glad Rags Organic Pads (washable)
Luna Pads & Underwear
ORGANYC Hypoallergenic 100% Organic Cotton Pads Day Wings, 10-count Box
Natracare Pads 100% Organic
Natural Products for Periods – Cups
For me, with heavy periods, I was most concerned about giving up tampons. The organics were ok but not nearly absorbent enough. Enter the cup! Very workable for light to heavy periods, reusable (so better for the environment) and you can go as long as 12 hours with one in! But I like lie ladies, there is a learning curve so wear a pad with it until you get the hang of it.
Diva Cup Diva Cup 1 Pre Childbirth
The DivaCup Model 2 for after babies and/or over 30
Blossom Large Menstrual Cup – post-childbirth
Blossom Small Menstrual Cup – pre child birth
There are many many many other cups that you may want to investigate others to best suite your body.
Natural Products for Periods – DIY
Talk about the ultimate crafty project, right? I can’t say I’ve tried any of these but if you’ve got time and talent, go for it!
I highly recommend this youtube channel by a young woman in the UK. She has a ton of information on different reusable pads and cups.
Well there you have it – natural products for periods. I hope this has given you the confidence to change what you keep in your bathroom for your monthly “visitor”. Let’s make educated and healthy decisions for these ultimate intimate products!