Pads and tampons are among the most commonly used and relied upon feminine hygiene products in the world. For centuries, they have provided comfort and convenience to women during their menstrual cycles. However, what many women may not know is that these products contain harmful chemicals which have been linked to an increased risk of cancer.

One of the major components of pads and tampons is rayon, which is a semi-synthetic fiber made of wood pulp, a natural material. This fiber is primarily derived from the evergreen tree and undergoes a chemical bleaching and treatment process which includes the use of chlorine, dioxin, and chemicals of the aromatic hydrocarbons group. Unfortunately, the presence of excessive amounts of chlorine and dioxin have been found to be toxic to the human body, particularly in relation to female reproductive health.

Chlorine, in particular, is widely used in the production of many products, including paper and textiles. It is a hazardous chemical which can be produced both naturally and synthetically, and is known to cause short-term and long-term health effects when exposed to large amounts. Immediate symptoms of exposure include coughing, wheezing, and headaches.

With regard to pad and tampon use, chlorine can be found in all bleached rayon fibers. This means that every time a woman uses one of these feminine hygiene products, she is exposing her body to dangerous amounts of chlorine. Research has found that dioxin, a byproduct of chlorine, and chlorine itself can act as hormone disruptors, leading to a higher risk of reproductive and breast cancers.

In addition to the presence of chlorine, there are also a number of other potentially hazardous chemicals and compounds in pads and tampons. These include surfactants and fragrances such as linalool, limonene and benzyl acetate which have been categorized as allergens and can cause skin irritation and allergies. Furthermore, certain fragrances have also been linked to respiratory issues and even cancer.

On top of this, pads and tampons often contain substances like polyacrylate and nonoxynol, both of which have hormone-disruptive properties. This can lead to a number of health issues, including an increased risk of endometriosis and early onset puberty, as well as a greater susceptibility to reproductive cancers.

Clearly, pads and tampons contain a range of chemicals that can be hazardous to the human body, particularly in relation to female health. These chemicals have been linked to a higher risk of cancers - both reproductive and breast - which can be detrimental to a woman’s long-term health and well-being. Therefore, it is important for women to become more informed about the potential health risks associated with the use of these products.

Additionally, it is important to make sure every women do their own due diligence and conduct proper research on better alternative to tampons and pads.  One of those alternatives is Menstrual cups.  Reusable menstrual cups have become increasingly popular within the last few years – and for good reason. The environmental and cost-savings benefits of reusable menstrual cups mean that more and more women are switching to them in place of disposable menstrual products. Here, we will explore some of the main reasons why women are making the switch.

Health is likely the most important, reason to switch from disposable to reusable menstrual cups because as mentioned earlier sanitary pads and tampons are loaded with chemicals that can be harmful to a women’s reproductive system and be extremely damaging to the delicate internal tissue of the vagina.  Because it is made with plastics and other non-biodegradable materials it can be hard to break down in landfills and will take up precious space. Choosing to use reusable menstrual cups instead of disposable products significantly reduces the amount of wastage, helping to make a positive contribution to a clean and healthy environment as well as clean and healthy body.

Cost is also a key factor when considering a switch to reusable menstrual cups. While the initial cost of purchasing a menstrual cup may seem relatively expensive compared to the cost of buying disposable products, the long-term savings are substantial. With a reusable cup, each woman can save thousands of dollars over the course of their period-bearing years. Additionally, with a menstrual cup, there is usually no need to purchase additional products such as liners or panty liners. This further contributes to the cost savings of reusable menstrual cups.

The comfort level of reusable menstrual cups is significantly higher than that of disposable products. By choosing a menstrual cup, a woman can avoid the problems associated with chafing, irritation and odour that often come with disposable products like pads and tampons. The cup is made of comfortable, flexible material that fits well to the body and allows for freedom of movement without any sense of discomfort.

 Clearly, there are very compelling reasons to switch from disposable to reusable menstrual cups. Not only do they reduce the amount of waste created but they also provide significant cost savings, a higher level of comfort, health and safety for the end user. For these reasons – and more – it is easy to see why more and more women are making the switch.