It was probably only 3-4 years ago that I really started hearing about menstrual cups for the first time. Sure I thought “what the heckers!?” how do people insert a foreign object, a cup, no less, into their you-know-what? That’s some freaky sheisse. Although… aren’t tampons foreign objects? After a health issue partly caused by tampon use, I started looking into them to find out the answer – are tampons safe? And what are some other zero waste period products?
What is in tampons?
As you may know, most tampons are made of cotton and most cotton grown is GMO, which means the crops are sprayed with weed killer. This allows a chemical called glyphosate to be present on cotton. WHO (World Health Organisation) has named glyphosate as a probable carcinogen. “Probable” because not enough research has been done to know what the long-term health effects of glyphosate are. Yet we are still being sold these products and we use thousands of them in our lifetime.
Tampons (as well as pads and liners) are also bleached in order to make them sparkling white. Bleach, however, is toxic. Surprise, surprise.
So what does it do to us?
Because our vagines are super-absorbent, anything we put in them allows a quick access into our bloodstream. If the item contains toxic ingredients and we use them on the regular, we are in continuous exposure to health risks such as cancer, thyroid disease, infertility and neurological defects.
Dioxide, a by-product of bleaching, is said to have such a small trace amount in tampons that it doesn’t pose a huge risk to us. What if we multiply that small amount in one tampon to the thousands of tampons that we are exposed to throughout our lives? “Dioxin is one of the most dangerous chemicals on the planet. Even just a small amount can cause damage,” says Dr. Maggie Ney, the co-director of the Women’s Clinic at the Akasha Center. She also says that because tampons are officially considered a medical device, their whole ingredient list is not required to be public.
What are the zero waste alternatives?
Here comes the good news – there are heaps of zero waste period alternatives to conventional tampons and sanitary pads. From organic tampons to period pants and the infamous menstrual cup.
- Organic tampons and pads
- Cloth pads (reusable)
- Menstrual cups (reusable)
- Sea sponges (reusable)
- Period underwear (reusable)
Organic tampons and pads
Organic versions of tampons and other feminine hygiene products are definitely better for the environment but they aren’t necessarily safer than their non-organic counterparts. They are also a bit dearer than the conventional ones but they’re a good option if you want to be more sustainable and are not yet ready to take the leap to reusables.
Cloth pads
Cloth pads come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours. They are usually made from organic cotton, bamboo or hemp and are totally reusable. Cloth pads are better for the environment and also for your health as they are made from natural fibres and are therefore breathable. This prevents sweating and keeps us clear of bacteria and yeast infections.
There are many many makers of cloth pads so it’s not the easiest choice to make. You can also support handmade items by buying on Etsy for example.
Menstrual cups
When I first decided to try the cup I was pretty scared because I just didn’t understand it. I went for the most popular choice of Diva Cup. First time using it was daunting to say the least. “I feel like it should go in upside down…” After finding a fold that I could hold with my fingers, up it went. It was a tad bit uncomfortable for a few minutes but after that I couldn’t tell the difference. A pleasant 12 hours or so passed and it came time to empty it. After several rummaging tries, my bathroom turned into a modern dance studio; a plethora of different poses were used and sweat started to cause a panic – IT’S NEVER COMING OUT!! CALL THE AMBULANCE!!!
It was a stressful 5 minutes in my life but all in all I survived (close call, I know) and now I absolutely swear by the cup. The literary embellishment was needed so you’d know you’re not alone in your first try! You can do it!
So what’s actually great about menstrual cups? They’re made of silicone which means they basically last forever. You’re also saving so much rubbish from going to landfill. The good thing about a cup vs tampon is that it doesn’t absorb anything. This means that all the important vagine pH and bacterias stay right where they need to – inside us. You also only need to change (empty) the cup twice a day.
There’s a very wide choice for menstrual cups but you can take a quick cup test to find out which to begin with!
Sea sponge
Sea sponge is a marine organism – a plant rather than an animal, but is still considered a living thing. So it’s a bit controversial when it comes to vegan or not vegan debate. Natural sea sponges can be used like tampons but they are rinsed and last for about 6-12 months. They are of course biodegradable. Please be aware that there are some that believe not all sea sponges are clean enough so do your research before you pick something. This is introduction not advice!
Period underwear
It’s not as gross as it sounds! Period underwear is usually made in a sleek and modest design, and they look just like regular underwear. They come in different shapes, sizes and colours BUT are a bit pricey. Mind you, in the end they save you money as they are reusable.
Period pants aren’t bulky but they contain different layers that keep the blood from leaking. You can choose the best options for your flow.
The takeaway
The average person with a period uses around 17,000 tampons and countless pads in their lifetime. This makes up to 300 pounds or 136kgs of feminine hygiene waste that one person sends to landfill. With so many choices available it’s really easy to make the switch to zero waste period products!
