What is eco intimate hygiene?
Harmful ingredients in cosmetics and foods fertilized with pesticides and herbicides are a hot topic in conversations among women concerned about their well-being and the environment. However, there's one area—specifically related to women—that has received very little attention until now. It's worth taking a moment to consider the connection between pads, the health of our intimate areas, and the state of the natural environment. This, in turn, translates to changing our own menstrual habits to more eco-friendly ones, which will ultimately benefit everyone involved—well, maybe except for the multinational corporations that produce traditional pads and tampons.
What does the snow-white of traditional sanitary pads hide?
The list of harmful substances women are exposed to when using traditional intimate hygiene products is long. A significant portion of pads and tampons available on the market are made from a blend of cotton and wood pulp. The wood pulp is treated with acids to obtain fibers with a specific structure, and the cultivation of cotton – the second ingredient in pads and tampons – uses approximately 30 chemicals (pesticides, herbicides, etc.), which women absorb into their bodies through their skin.
The sterility-simulating white color of pads and tampons is achieved by bleaching them with chlorine, a process that releases carcinogenic dioxins. Furthermore, to achieve maximum absorbency, superabsorbent polymers, which may also be carcinogenic under certain conditions, are added to the pads. Although these hazardous substances and chemical compounds occur in very small quantities, long-term use on one of the most delicate parts of a woman's body can have very negative health consequences.
- Conventional pads made of non-breathable materials also cause discomfort due to irritation of the intimate areas.
- Substances used in pads and tampons disrupt the natural vaginal environment, which can significantly contribute to infections, allergies and even fungal infections.
- Traditional intimate hygiene products also harm the environment. Just think of the amount of chemicals used in conventional cotton production and the damage they cause to the ecosystems surrounding plantations. But production is only part of the problem—the other part is the disposal of these products.
The average woman uses 20,000 intimate hygiene products in her lifetime, most of which end up in landfills, releasing all the toxic substances used in their production into the soil as they decompose. While tampons decompose relatively quickly, a single pad can take up to 300 years to biodegrade. Of course, there is an alternative. Interestingly, unlike most eco-friendly products, which are typically much more expensive than their non-ecological counterparts, most eco-menstrual products actually save money.
Organic products as an alternative for women's health and environmental safety
Disposable sanitary pads and tampons in the ECO version
A staple of intimate hygiene that considers women's health and the environment are disposable organic pads and tampons. Their main ingredient is organic cotton – ideally 100% organic cotton, but they may also contain wood pulp. The outer layer of disposable organic pads, the sleeves they are packaged in, and the outer packaging are biodegradable, making them a good solution for both women and the environment. Because they owe their absorbency to cotton rather than superabsorbent polymers, they need to be changed more frequently. However, important for many women, biodegradable organic cotton pads and tampons do not require any changes to menstrual habits.
Reusable sanitary pads and tampons in the ECO version
Another type of menstrual protection for eco-friendly women are reusable cloth pads and tampons, most often made of cotton or bamboo due to the extraordinary (natural) absorbent properties of these materials. They have a similar shape to their conventional counterparts but are usually slightly thicker.
Sanitary pads usually have a snap closure and can come in a variety of colors and patterns, while tampons are usually creamy white and their shape depends on the type.
- As these are reusable products, they should be washed and dried after use.
- Contrary to appearances, it doesn't require much effort: just remember to soak them in cold water as soon as possible after use and then throw them in the washing machine with the rest of the laundry.
- Because they are made of fabric and not synthetic materials, the skin breathes and irritation does not occur.
- Unlike disposable ecological pads, reusable pads last for many years, so overall they are cheaper, even than their conventional counterparts.
- Moreover, like most reusable products, they are much better for the environment.
Another option is sponge tampons, the most natural form of protection during menstruation.
- Sponges are collected from the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea, dried, disinfected (usually with tea tree oil) and some, although this is not necessary for aesthetic reasons, bleached with hydrogen peroxide.
- Different sizes of sponges correspond to different intensity and bleeding, and they should also be adjusted to the size of the vagina by gently trimming its edges.
- The sponge is placed inside the vagina - when it becomes soaked, it lowers, and then you know you need to remove it, squeeze it out and put it back in.
- For disinfection purposes, it is recommended to use tea tree oil.
- Sponges last for approximately 6-12 months.
Menstrual cup
The final form of protection available to women today is a controversial device: the menstrual cup. Although it was first patented in the 1930s, it only gained worldwide popularity at the beginning of this century.
- The cup is shaped like a bell, with a stem/ball that you pull to remove it, and holes on the rim that make it leak-proof.
- It is placed inside the vagina, right at its opening, where menstrual blood collects.
- Once it is full – usually after 4-8 hours – it should be emptied, rinsed and reinserted.
- To ensure the cup remains sterile, it is a good idea to wash it with unperfumed soap and boil it from time to time.
- The market is dominated by cups made of medical-grade silicone, latex, and 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 "natural" colors—the dye is an additional chemical whose long-term effects on the vagina are unknown.
As thousands of women around the world have discovered, it's not only a more ecological, economical, and healthier alternative to pads and tampons, but above all, an incredibly convenient and handy invention that can even alleviate menstrual cramps in some women. Most importantly, one cup lasts for many years, so choosing it can save you a lot.
Many women believe their menstrual habits are the one thing they won't change. They've used a specific brand of pads or tampons for years, and for them, the packaging from a well-known brand is an inseparable part of their period, almost a part of themselves.
However, it is worth taking a closer look at the pad or tampon in our bathroom or handbag, bearing in mind that the intimate areas that are in contact with the pad or tampon are several times more sensitive than the skin on our hands or feet, with a much richer bacterial flora that is more susceptible to disorders.
Despite this, we bathe this part of our bodies for 4-7 days a month in non-breathable synthetic material, filled with substances designed to absorb as much fluid as possible – including the very fluids intended to protect the delicate vaginal environment. And we leave tons of synthetic pads and tampons to the environment to degrade. Perhaps it's worth considering one of the eco-friendly alternatives?
Based on an article from www.ekokobieta.com.pl
