Menstrual health

As I’ve been working to reduce unnecessary toxins and chemical exposure in my daily life, I realized there was one area I hadn’t really addressed, the sanitary pads I use each month.

This matters because vulvar and vaginal tissue is highly absorbent, meaning substances it comes into contact with can be more readily absorbed by the body. Research has found that some conventional sanitary pads may contain chemicals such as phthalates, added fragrances, dioxins, and volatile organic compounds (1).

For those looking to reduce this exposure, choosing sanitary pads made from 100% organic cotton can be a helpful step. Organic cotton pads are typically free from synthetic fragrances and chlorine bleaching. Personally, I like the Honey Pot brand — they’re soft, use a 100% organic cotton cover, and have a pulp core.

Photograph source: HoneyPot

Reference:

(1) Marroquin, J., Kiomourtzoglou, M.-A., Scranton, A. and Pollack, A.Z. (2023) Chemicals in menstrual products: A systematic review. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, published online 24 September. https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.17668