Scary Chemicals In Feminine Hygiene Products You Should Avoid At All Costs
According to the Gerson Institute, the average woman will have 350 menstrual cycles, averaging six days per week each, in her lifetime. This adds up to almost six years of using sanitary pads, liners, tampons, douches, feminine wipes, deodorants, and creams. While it is important to practice excellent hygiene that protects against infections and inflammation, women must also be keenly aware that the products they use may contain chemicals that cause serious conditions like infertility, toxic shock syndrome (TSS), and diseases like cancer.
Six of the most toxic chemicals found in feminine hygiene products are chlorine, dioxins and furans, pesticide residue (yes, you read that right), fragrance, parabens, and synthetic materials. Prolonged exposure to any of these can cause a multitude of health problems.
About 90% of the cotton produced in the United States is genetically modified (GMO), it is sprayed with pesticides to ensure a maximum crop yield. Yes, this is the same cotton used in sanitary napkins and tampons. The carcinogens in these pesticides have been linked to cancer and endocrine disruption.
Chlorine is used to bleach cotton. Dioxins and furans are the by-products of the bleaching process. Together, these toxins can cause:
- Abnormal tissue growth in the abdomen and reproductive organs.
- Abnormal cell growth throughout the body.
- Immune system suppression.
- Hormonal and endocrine system disruption.
The good news about tampons and pads is that most are not made with 100% cotton. The bad news is that synthetic substances like rayon and Super Absorbent Polymers (SAPs) are used instead. At the very least, these substances can cause rashes and other skin irritations when used in pads. In tampons, the effects can be even worse due to prolonged use and proximity to reproductive organs.
Fragrance is added to douches and sanitary wipes, as well as deodorant pads and tampons. Product manufacturers are not required to disclose the actual chemicals contained in "fragrance" on the packaging, however, they can include carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, irritants, allergens, or any combination of all of these.
To protect against skin irritations and allergic reactions, avoid vaginal anti-itch creams, vaginal wipes, and feminine washes. Most contain parabens in the form of preservatives that may also have an adverse effect on estrogen properties.
An article published on The Truth About Cancer.org recommends that you look for 100% organic cotton tampons and pads while avoiding scented douches, creams, and feminine wipes. The choices you make in your reproductive health could literally be a matter of life or death. Take a look at this video for more ideas on safe feminine hygiene products.
