Have you ever wondered what chemicals and other ingredients are in your tampons? Should you even care?
It’s not like you’re eating your maxi pads or tampons (that would seriously be gross)…
And while you need food daily, it’s not like your period is an everyday thing. (Thank God!)
Some women are saying they have a right to know and their voices regarding menstrual health and period shaming have become louder.
Glamour magazine even said that 2017 was a “good year to be a woman with period” and we hope 2018 is going to be even better.
Tampons and menstrual pads are not required to carry a list of ingredients
If you did wonder what’s in your sanitary napkins and tampons, the answer typically is not on the label.
Unlike candy bars, cereal and even your makeup, tampons and menstrual pads are not required to carry a list of ingredients.
Instead, many tampon makers give a suggested ingredient list saying their product “may” contain cotton or rayon or polyester, or possibly a combination of them.
And many sanitary pads don’t list any ingredients at all on the package.
You may think… well, how bad could it be? It’s just stuff that absorbs your menstrual blood, right?
Wrong!
This model had her leg amputated because of a tampon
This model had her leg amputated because of a tampon in 2012 and she’s been telling her story ever since.
Lauren Wasser was on her period and using tampons when she developed Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS). The rare but potentially fatal condition is typically caused by toxins from the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, or staph.
Wasser lost part of her right leg and the toes on her left foot but her misery hardly ended there. She claims she’s in “excruciating pain” most of the time.
Many believe that TSS is a thing of the past, but women keep getting it and no one quite knows why.
Cotton in your pad is full of filth and toxins
While swapping tampons for pads will save you from TSS, it doesn’t mean that all pads are safe.
In order to understand how toxic stuff gets into your menstrual pads, you need to know a thing or two about the supply chain.
Many people find surprising to learn that textile is one of the dirtiest, most polluting industries in the world! It all starts with cotton.
A whopping $2 billion is spent annually on pesticides to spray cotton crops. You don't need to be a scientist to infer that if cotton contains pesticides, pads that are made of cotton are going to be tainted as well..
In addition, conventional tampons probably contain genetically-modified organisms (GMOs). According to the USDA, 94 percent of all U.S. cotton is genetically engineered.
Also, most of the world’s cotton is coming from countries like China and India. Even if you’ve never traveled to those countries, you probably know that their laws are not as strict as those of Western countries. Pollution in China has been very well documented and it’s a huge problem.
OK, so cotton in your pads is likely very polluted. Why would you care?
How do pollutants get from the pad into your body?
Unfortunately, food is not the only source of toxins that can wreak havoc on the essential systems of your body.
Take, for example, your skin, which is the largest organ in your body, and also the thinnest. Less than one-tenth of an inch separates your body from potential toxins. Worse yet, your skin is highly permeable — especially the skin in and around the vaginal area; which means toxins can go straight into your bloodstream.
In her lifetime, a woman will use over 16,000 tampons or pads. That's a lot of cotton that comes into contact with the most intimate parts of your body!
Admittedly, things wouldn’t be so bad if your pads and tampons were made only of cotton. However, it’s not the case. Some doctors have pointed out that an average grocery store pad may contain dioxins, synthetic fibers, and petrochemical additives.
Some have suggested that conventional sanitary pads can contain the equivalent of about four plastic bags! With everything we now know about the hazardous nature of plastic chemicals, this alone is a cause for concern.
All in all, so-called regular pads may contain formaldehyde, acetone, heavy metals, and dioxin. It has been proven that all of the above may cause allergies, skin irritation and that prolonged exposure may lead to more serious health issues.
Some of the elements are believed to be harmful hormone disruptors and carcinogens.
So, what’s a girl to do?
If free bleeding is not your thing, you may want to take a look at pads made with organic cotton.
One of the biggest issues we had with some organic menstrual care brands that their pads simply don’t absorb as well as regular pads. Another issue is that they tend to be bulky.
But there’s one exception… Genial Day.
Now, we’re not claiming we have solved all period-related problems. But we can promise you is that unlike a conventional sanitary napkin, GENIAL DAY® maxi pads and pantiliners are skin-friendly, air permeable, and toxin-free.
We have all the accolades and certificates to prove it.
GENIAL DAY® is better because we've thought about every detail important to women like you.
5 reasons why every woman should try Genial Day pads
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GENIAL DAY® pads |
Regular pads |
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1. Free of toxic chemicals and reproductive system disruptors. GENIAL DAY® doesn't contain any harmful chemicals which may cause allergies, infections or disrupt your reproductive system and cause illness or discomfort. Our pads are tested every year at the independent lab and issued the OEKO-TEX® certificate. |
Regular pads often contain various harmful substances, such as formaldehyde, acetone, heavy metals, dioxin, and others. It has been proven that all of the above may cause allergies, skin irritation and that prolonged exposure may lead to more serious health issues. Some of the elements are believed to be harmful hormone disruptors and carcinogens. |
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2. Anion strip with silver and Tourmaline. This unique combination of naturally found elements neutralize unpleasant odor and prevent harmful bacteria from multiplying in your pad. It also provides protection from illnesses that may be caused by exposure to bacteria. Tourmaline is known for its qualities that promote health and well-being; it is used in a variety of industries, including medicine and cosmetics. |
No protection from bacteria and unpleasant odor, unless you count as "protection" fragrances, which actually may cause allergies and irritation. The warm and damp environment of your pad is ideal for bacterial growth--it takes only 20 minutes for bacteria to start multiplying. It doesn't take long to start feeling itchiness, irritation, and rash, along with visible redness and sometimes even swelling. Now, who needs that? |
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3. Highest-quality super-absorbent Japanese polymer. It absorbs several hundred times its own weight. Testing has shown that GENIAL DAY® pads absorb 5 times more than typical grocery store brands. In addition, materials used in our pads are biodegradable and environmentally friendly. |
Poor absorbency--if your flow is on the heavier side, you may have to change your pad 5 times a day... which means that you must run to the bathroom every 2 or 3 hours. It's not only inconvenient, but also expensive. In addition, a poor quality polymer may cause allergies and leaks. All of the above will mess with your ability to feel fresh and confident. |
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4. Ventilated base film allows your skin to breath. As a result, your skin is not exposed to unpleasant heat, it won't sweat and you won't develop a rash. Absent those triggers, you won't experience skin irritation, unpleasant odor and won't have to worry about bacteria crawling in your pad. In addition to being gentle to your skin and body, the ventilated base film is environmentally friendly. |
Wearing a regular pad often feels like wearing a plastic bag. On average, a woman would wear a pad approximately 120 hours (about 5 days) during each period. Needless to say, toward the end of your period, sensation "down there" is usually not a pleasant one. Don't forget bacteria crawling inside the pad... you don't need to be a doctor to know that this is not good for your skin or your body. |
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5. Non-toxic glue. We use food-grade glue that contains no toxic chemicals; they are safe and environmentally friendly. They won't cause allergies or harm your body in any way. |
Glue used in regular pads may be the main reason for developing contact dermatitis in the groin area. In addition, traces of toxic glue transfer to underwear which rub against your intimate body parts. |
THE BEST PAD IS THE ONE THAT'S NOT SEEN OR FELT
The long overdue feminine hygiene revolution is here. Feel better, healthier and less stressed with the most advanced organic GENIAL DAY® pads.
Join more than 1,000,000 women around the world who chose GENIAL DAY®. Leave behind embarrassing rashes, annoying skin irritations, and all other unpleasant sensations together with your old menstrual pad brand.
