Why Organic Tampons are A Safer Choice
A woman just wants to deal with her period. And tampons have been a freeing way to do that.
That is, until the 1980's when Toxic Shock Syndrome became associated with their use.
Suddenly, a woman's favorite way to handle Mother Nature was under a microscope. And the news wasn't good.
Here's why choosing an organic tampon is a far safer choice.
What's Hiding In Your Tampon
Your vaginal tissue is highly absorptive. It's lined with permeable mucous membranes that are designed to protect you from unwanted bacteria.
However, the vaginal area can easily absorb or become irritated by chemicals.
In fact, studies show that hormone chemicals like estrogen are absorbed in the vagina 10-80 times more than when taken by mouth!
Because the FDA doesn't regulate the ingredients used in manufacturing feminine hygiene products, the ingredients that compose a tampon can directly impact a woman's health.
Disclosing tampon ingredients isn't required by law. However, some feminine hygiene manufacturers will disclose the main components of tampons, and the list looks pretty simple.
"Rayon and/or cotton fiber, polytethlene overwrap, cotton cord, cardboard applicator."
What isn't mentioned are the other potential absorptive materials, fragrances, and possible contaminants that could be added.
Worse, public patent documents held by these companies include other chemicals they may be using in tampons but are rarely, if ever, disclosed to the public.
So what are they hiding?
Here are some of the absorbent materials that can be legally added to tampons:
Absorbent Materials
Creped cellulose wadding, foam, chemically-stiffened fibers, polyester fibers, meltblown polymers,peat moss, tissue wraps and laminates, super absorbent gels and open-celled foams. (US Patent #6,840,927)
Additives
Myreth-3-myristate (as lubricant) (US Patent # 5,591,123); Alcohol ethoxylates, Natural and synthetic zeolites (as odor-absorbing particles) (US Patent #5,161,686); polysorbate-20 (as surfactants to disperse fragrance), glycerol esters,and unnamed anti-bacterial agents (US Patent # 8,585,668)
Fragrances
Scented tampons can be made up of combinations of almost 3,000 different chemicals. Some of the potentially harmful ones are:
Cancer-causing chemicals: Styrene, pyridine, methyleugenol, butylated hydroxyanisole
DEP and DINP, phthalates of serious concern
Potential hormone disruptors--synthetic musks
Numerous allergens
Pesticide Residues from traditionally grown cotton
Procymidon--Determined by the EPA to be a "probable human carcinogen"
Piperonyl butoxide--Another "possibe human carcinogen"
Currently, there is no research or any kind of attention devoted to assessing the risks of exposing the vaginal tissues to these toxic chemicals.
Organic Tampons: A Safer Choice for You and the Environment
Chlorine is used to disinfect and whiten raw materials. That's not so bad. What is bad is the dioxin residue it leaves behind in the tampon fibers.
A known carcinogen, dioxin has been linked to endocrine system disruption, as well as abnormal tissue growth, immune and hormonal disruption.
When you remove a tampon from the vagina, the fibers from the tampon will
sometimes break off and hang inside the vaginal canal, creating a breeding ground for bacteria.
Tampons aren't just bad for women. They're also toxic to the environment!
Plastic doesn't biodegrade easily, and synthetic materials in tampons don't leave this earth any time soon.
Plus, the chlorine bleaching process in tampons kills wildlife and contaminates our oceans.
Choose Organic Tampons Instead
When you choose an organic tampon or pad, you avoid synthetic chemicals and fabrics.
You also don't have to worry about toxic chemicals building up in your body.
What's more, if you use organic pads or tampons regularly, you may have lighter periods, fewer vaginal infections, and less irritation.
And when you dispose of the tampon, it will break down much quicker in landfills.
Why We Like Natracare
When it comes to organic tampons, we really like Natracare, which is why we carry them here at Jewell's Naturals.
Natracare is:
100% organic cotton and absolutely nothing else
Completely chlorine-free
No plastics, dyes, or rayon
Compostable and biodegradable
Expands lengthwise
Smooth, easy glide cardboard applicator or no applicator at all!
How Natracare Tampons Work
The organic cotton wadding expands lengthwise, so it elongates while the menstrual flow is gently absorbed.
There is a withdrawal cord, also organic, that allows you to remove the tampon easily.
And the cardboard applicator? You might think it would be difficult to use. Not at all!
The material used to make the applicator is completely chlorine-free and the cardboard is easy glide.
For women with a retroverted uterus (the uterus tilts backward), Natracare has a non-applicator tampon, which is perfect for them.
An inflexible applicator can cause pain upon insertion but with a non-applicator tampon, a woman simply uses her index finger to gently insert.
As with the cardboard-encased tampon, there is an organic cotton withdrawal cord to easily remove the used tampon.
Pretty simple, huh?
What About Toxic Shock Syndrome?
New York University Medical School conducted independent research regarding this possibility.
Their findings suggest that the use of of 100% cotton tampons may reduce the risk of TSS as compared with tampons that contain rayon.
Remember!
Just because it's an organic tampon doesn't mean you can leave it inserted indefinitely. Doing so will greatly increase your risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome.
With no laws to protect women from these health dangers, it's up to us to be the steward of our own health!
Stop in to Jewell's Naturals for the most researched and carefully selected products on planet earth. With us, good health really does go way beyond the product label.
sources: https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/toxic-shock-syndrome
https://www.bustle.com/articles/83591-are-tampons-safe-7-reasons-we-should-be-concerned-about-the-ingredients-in-feminine-hygiene-products
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-mercola/feminine-hygiene-products_b_3359581.html
http://www.natracare.com/products/tampons/
https://sporteluxe.com/should-you-be-using-organic-tampons/
