We have used pads and tampons for years, yet most of us probably don’t know what’s in them. We were taught how to use them, when to use them, and which ones to pick based on our flow, but never told what materials they are made of.
If we really want to put this into perspective, food products are required to list every ingredient in them, so why are pads and tampons an exception? Food goes into our bodies and so do these products, yet there is less transparency.
At Her Bloom, we asked ourselves this exact question, and it opened a door to a much larger conversation about transparency, ingredients, and being more informed when it comes to our bodies.
Conventional pads and tampons are made from a blend of cotton and synthetic material like rayon, which is a synthetic fiber derived from wood pulp.These materials are commonly used because they are highly absorbent. Rayon is made from plant based cellulose, sourced from wood pulp like pine or eucalyptus trees, and can have different forms: viscose, modal, lyocell and bamboo.
Even though rayon originates from natural materials, the manufacturing process can include significant amounts of chemicals, water and energy depending on how it is produced. This is why sourcing, processing methods, and overall quality of the material is just as important as the material itself.
One concern around period products is dioxins, which are environmental pollutants that can be created during specific bleaching and manufacturing processes. Although dioxin levels found in period products are considered very low, many women still prefer to be mindful of long term, repeated use because vaginal tissue is highly absorbent and sensitive.
Recently, there has been an increase in awareness regarding PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), also referred to as forever chemicals because they do not break down easily in the environment or the human body. Although, they do not stay in our bodies forever.
These chemicals were developed in the 1940s to make products resistant to water, oil, heat, or staining. Sometimes these substances are used in period products to resist moisture or prevent leaks, and so this has become a larger conversation in many industries, including period care.
At some point we all had the same thought.. period products must have to disclose every material and ingredient used, but unfortunately, pads and tampons are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as medical devices. This means the disclosure requirements can differ from categories like food or skincare.
At the end of the day, this isn’t a conversation focused around fear or labeling a certain material as bad. Materials can vary depending on sourcing, processing, and manufacturing standard.
Instead, this is a conversation about understanding what the products we use every cycle are made of, learning how they are made, and feeling empowered to choose the best period care options that align best with our bodies!
