What is eco-friendly intimate hygiene?
Harmful ingredients in cosmetics and food grown with pesticides and herbicides are a hot topic among women who care about themselves and the environment. But there is one distinctly female area that has received very little attention until now. It’s worth taking a few moments to think about what connects pads, the health of our intimate areas and the state of the natural environment. The consequence is a change in our menstrual habits towards more eco-friendly options, which will ultimately benefit everyone involved – well, perhaps with the exception of the multinational corporations that produce traditional pads and tampons.
What’s hidden behind the snow-white color of conventional pads?
The list of harmful substances that women expose themselves to when reaching for conventional intimate hygiene products is long. A large proportion of pads and tampons available on the market are made from a blend of cotton and wood pulp. Wood pulp is treated with acids to obtain fibres with the right structure, and during the cultivation of cotton – the second component of pads and tampons – around 30 chemical products (pesticides, herbicides, etc.) are used, which women absorb into their bodies through the skin.
The sterile-looking white color of pads and tampons is achieved by bleaching them with chlorine – during this process, carcinogenic dioxins are released. In addition, to achieve maximum absorbency, superabsorbent polymers are added to pads, which under certain conditions can also be carcinogenic. Although these harmful substances and chemical compounds are present in very small amounts, long-term use of such products on one of the most delicate parts of a woman’s body can have very negative consequences for her health.
- Conventional pads made from non-breathable materials also cause discomfort related to irritation of the intimate area.
- The substances used in pads and tampons disrupt the vagina’s natural environment, which can significantly contribute to infections, allergies and even fungal diseases.
- Traditional intimate hygiene products are also harmful to the natural environment. Just think about the amount of chemical substances used in the production of conventional cotton and the damage they cause to ecosystems surrounding plantations. But production is only part of the problem – the other part is the disposal of these products.
Over the course of her life, a woman uses on average 20,000 intimate hygiene products. Most end up in landfills, releasing into the soil all the toxic substances used in their production as they break down. While tampons decompose relatively quickly, the biodegradation of a single pad can take up to 300 years. Fortunately, there is an alternative. Interestingly, unlike most eco-friendly products, which are usually much more expensive than their conventional counterparts, most eco-menstrual products actually help you save money.
Organic products as an alternative for women’s health and the safety of the natural environment
Eco-friendly disposable pads and tampons
The basic intimate hygiene products that take into account women’s health and the state of the natural environment are disposable pads and tampons in eco versions. Their main ingredient is organic cotton – ideally 100% organic cotton, though they may sometimes contain a small amount of wood pulp. The outer layer of disposable eco pads, the wrappers they are packed in and the outer packaging are biodegradable, which makes this a good solution both for women and for the natural environment. Because they owe their absorbency to cotton rather than super-absorbent polymers, they need to be changed more often, but – which is important for many women – biodegradable pads and tampons made from organic cotton do not require any changes to menstrual habits.
Reusable pads and tampons – the eco version
Another type of menstrual protection for eco-conscious women are reusable cloth pads and tampons, most often made from cotton or bamboo because of the remarkable (natural) absorbent properties of these materials. Their shape is similar to their conventional counterparts, but they are usually slightly thicker.
Pads are most often fastened with a snap and can come in all sorts of colours and patterns; tampons are usually cream‑white, and their shape depends on the type.
- Because these are reusable products, they need to be washed and dried after use.
- Contrary to appearances, it doesn’t take much effort: just remember to soak them in cold water as soon as possible after use, then pop them in the washing machine with the rest of your laundry.
- Because they’re made from fabric rather than synthetic materials, the skin can breathe and irritation doesn’t occur.
- Unlike single-use eco pads, reusable pads last for many years and therefore, overall, work out cheaper even than their conventional counterparts.
- Moreover, like most reusable products, they are far more beneficial for the environment.
Another option is sponge tampons – the most natural form of protection during your period.
- Sponges are collected from the Mediterranean Sea floor, dried, disinfected (usually with tea tree oil), and some, although not necessary, are bleached with hydrogen peroxide for aesthetic reasons.
- Different sponge sizes correspond to different flow intensities, and they should also be adjusted to the size of the vagina by gently trimming their edges.
- The sponge is inserted into the vagina – when it absorbs, it lowers, indicating it's time to remove, squeeze, and reinsert it.
- For disinfection, tea tree oil is recommended.
- Sponges last for roughly 6–12 months.
Menstrual cup
The last form of protection available to women today is a product that sparks a lot of controversy: the menstrual cup. Although it was first patented back in the 1930s, it only really took off worldwide at the beginning of this century.
- The cup is shaped like a bell, with a stem/ball you pull on to remove it, and small holes around the rim that help create a seal.
- You insert it into the vagina, just below the opening, where it collects menstrual blood.
- When it fills up – usually after 4-8 hours – it should be emptied, rinsed, and reinserted.
- To keep the cup sterile, it’s best to wash it with an unscented soap and occasionally boil it.
- Most cups on the market are made from medical-grade silicone, latex or thermoplastic elastomers. Medical-grade silicone, a material proven safe for the human body, is the healthiest choice. It’s also better to avoid dyed cups in favor of those in their “natural” color – dye is an additional chemical substance, and its long-term impact on the vagina is unknown.
As thousands of women around the world have discovered, this is not only a more eco-friendly, economical and healthier alternative to pads and tampons, but above all an extremely convenient and handy invention that can even reduce menstrual cramps for some users. Most importantly, a single cup lasts for many years, so choosing one can save you a lot of money.
Many women feel that their menstrual habits are one thing they will never change. They have spent years using a particular brand of pads or tampons; the packaging of a familiar company is, for them, an inseparable part of their period – almost a part of themselves.
However, it’s worth taking a closer look at the pad or tampon in your bathroom or handbag, bearing in mind that the intimate areas in contact with them are several times more sensitive than the skin on our hands or legs, with a much richer and more easily disrupted bacterial flora.
Despite this, we subject this part of our body to 4-7 days a month in non-breathable synthetic material, filled with substances designed to absorb as much fluid as possible – including the one meant to protect the delicate vaginal environment. And we leave tons of synthetic pads and tampons for the natural environment to degrade. Perhaps it's worth considering one of the ecological alternatives?
Based on an article from www.ekokobieta.com.pl
