Do Organic Period Products Really Shorten Periods
The short answer is: its unlikely. Other than anecdotal evidence, theres no scientific research that provides reason to believe that organic tampons or pads are responsible for your periods getting shorter. Much like the myth of periods syncing up with others. Whats more likely to explain changes in the length of your period are fluctuations in your weight, stress levels and general health.
How Long Can You Leave An Organic Tampon In
The bottom line. To err on the side of caution, remove a tampon after 4 to 6 hours, but no longer than 8 hours. After 8 hours, your risk of developing TSS along with other infections or irritations increases. Although TSS is very rare, its always best to be careful when it comes to your menstrual health.
Do Organic Cotton Tampons Shorten Your Period
We simply had to know more. Were sorry to burst your bubble but according to health care experts, organic cotton period products have no effect on the length of your menstrual cycle.
Do Organic tampons absorb less?
A cotton tampon takes around six months. However, nonorganic tampon brands arent biodegradable: They may be wrapped in plastic or use a plastic applicator.LOLA: light, regular, super, and super+ tampons.
| Pros |
|---|
Read Also: Taking A Pregnancy Test Before Missed Period
Are Organic Tampons Better
Organic tampons claim to be safer for you than regular tampons. Theres no scientific evidence that suggests organic tampons are safer for you than regular ones. Regular tampons are recognized as safe to use by the FDA and by other expert organizations and medical experts.
Your vaginas mucous membrane can absorb toxins and chemicals, especially over a prolonged period of time. So some consumers may not want to risk any exposure.If youre a tampon wearer, youve likely heard of toxic shock syndrome , the rare but life-threatening infection thats linked to tampons. But the risk for TSS apparently has nothing to do with whether your tampon is organic or not.
Organic Is The Way Forward
When I first switched to organic tampons I didnt expect to see that much of a difference, but after noticing these differences its a real eye-opener. I would never go back to conventional high-street brands.
I have a 9-year-old daughter who has kind of started her period . I will never let her use the chemical-ridden products that are on the market. With a clued-up mum on her side, she will only ever use 100% organic cotton products.
Recommended Reading: What The Best Pill For Period Cramps
The Ingredients Of A Tampon
Tampons are simple. There are three parts to a tampon to consider, and they are as follows:
- Tampon – The tampon itself. Traditional tampons are usually made of cotton, rayon, or a combination of both. When we talk about organic cotton tampons, this is what we’re concerned with.
- Applicator – Typically made of plastic or cardboard. Some tampons come without an applicator, but many people prefer to avoid these because they’re not as easy or clean to use.
- Wrapper – The wrapper the single tampon comes in. This is mainly a concern in terms of eco-friendliness since the wrapper is mostly made from non-recyclable materials like polyethylene.
Do Organic Tampons Expire
While the US Food & Drug Administration doesn’t require expiration dates on tampons, the truth is that organic tampons do have a limited shelf life. The general consensus is that organic tampons have a shelf life of about 5 years, after which they should probably be tossed.
This isn’t because the cotton goes badit’s because there is a risk of mold developing on the tampon. If the tampon is kept in a cool and dry environment and the packaging is kept intact, there should be no risk. If they’re going to be stored for an extended period of time, putting them in an airtight container far away from sources of moisture as possible is the best idea.
Don’t Miss: Nipples Hurt Before Period Or Pregnant
Why Would Organic Matter When It Comes To Period Products
Good question! The environment is a big factor in the production of crops, and since tampons and pads are primarily made from cotton , the origin of this cotton and how it is produced must be considered.
Each year in the UK, the disposal of single-use menstrual products like pads, tampons and applicators generates more than 200,000 tonnes of waste. That waste inevitably ends up in landfills, and when it contains the pesticides and potentially harmful chemicals associated with non-organic cotton, it continues to cause major problems for our environment.
And The Plastic Applicator Tampons Themselves Looked Well Like Plastic Applicator Tampons A Familiar Sight Phew
I tried them out and they worked like a charm. They honestly didnt feel or act any different than my regular go-to, Tampax Pearl. These guys arent super leakproof, though. So, after noting this, I made to sure to switch them out fairly frequently on my heavier days.
I decided I liked L. tampons well enough to sign up for their monthly subscription. I first compared L.s offer to their competitors and found L.s monthly subscription price the most reasonable for my budget. Plus, new subscribers get their second monthly box free.
Read Also: What Age Can You Start Your Period
Pros And Cons Of Using A Menstrual Cup
So are menstrual cups right for you? Here are the benefits and risks of using them.
Pros
Here are the benefits of a menstrual cup.
- Lower costs and less landfill waste. Some cups are designed for long-term use providing significant cost savings over tampons and pads. Since you can reuse them, theres less waste to clog up our landfills and fewer trees sacrificed to make the paper-based alternatives.
- No embarrassing odor. With menstrual cups, you wont have to worry about embarrassing odor wafting out at the most inopportune times since the fluid doesnt get exposed to air as it does with pads and tampons.
- Fewer visits to the drugstore. Even if you replace your cup once a year, youll still make 11 fewer trips to the store than you would if you used disposable, paper-based methods.
- More time between changes. You need to change tampons every four to eight hours, depending on flow. You can go up to 12 hours with a menstrual cup before having to empty it.
- Easy to use. Dr. Higgins says that anyone who has used tampons, especially the kind without applicators, should have little trouble learning how to insert a menstrual cup. If youve ever used a NuvaRing for birth control, youll have even less trouble learning how to use your new cup.
Cons
And here are some drawbacks to this form of menstrual protection.
I Switched To Organic Tampons For 3 Months And Here’s Why I’ll Never Go Back
Ive made quite a few lifestyle changes in the past year as a result of being scared silly about environmental issues. On top of buying thrifted clothing, using cruelty-free beauty products, and really, really trying to remember my reusable shopping bags, Ive also made the switch to organic tampons. Ive been using organic tampons for three months now, and I dont think Ill be going back to mainstream brands any time soon! Sorry not sorry Tampax!
Before beginning my crusade into the world of alternative menstrual products, I decided to do some research first, and I came across some truly alarming tampon statistics.
According to Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, a project of Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, each of the 43 million women in the United States who use tampons will go through an average of 11,000 in her lifetime. Thats a lot of tampons.
In those 11,000 tampons are harmful chemicals that arent ideal to put into your body, and while sitting in landfills, they can leave lasting effects on the environment. Dioxins, pesticides, chlorine, rayon, and weird fragrances all of which are not sanctioned by the FDA to include in feminine care ingredients labels go into your body and then into the ground.
Also Check: Can You Go To The Water Park On Your Period
Will You Notice A Difference When Switching To Organic Cotton Tampons We Put This Frequently Asked Question To One Of Our Customers To Get A Real
Natasha Williams is a loyal TOTM Customer and supporter. Here she explains why she chose to switch from mainstream to organic, and the differences she noticed:
So, I made the switch to using organic cotton tampons and sanitary towels about 6 months ago. I found a few brands on the high street that dabbled with the words organic and cotton but would soon realise they were not 100% the real deal. From a random google search, I found TOTM and this is where my story begins.
What Are Some Dangers Of Wearing A Tampon
All the other guys in the gym will laugh at you in the showers.
Also Check: Could You Get Your Period And Still Be Pregnant
Your Vagina Cant Tell The Difference
So, if youre a lifelong tampon stan, which product should you buy? We might be a little biased, but here at Flex, were all for ditching tampons entirely and moving onto one of the more sustainable next-gen period product options on the marketlike a menstrual cup or disc. But if youre truly wedded to tampons and cant imagine using anything else, thats okay, too.
The answer really comes down to your personal preferences, values, and wallet. If you simply cant afford to go organic, rest assured that youre not directly causing harm to your body whenever you use a conventional tampon. If you can afford them, though, you might decide that the benefits to the planet at large are worth the extra cost.
Environmental concerns, however, are actually why many people switch from tampons and try out products like a menstrual disc, period cup, or period underwear. Menstrual cups are a reusable option that let you get away from disposables altogether, significantly reducing the amount of trash you produce. And menstrual discs, as the longest-wear disposable option, can dramatically reduce unnecessary waste.
Have other burning questions about organic period products or sustainability? Hit us up: Email and well get back to you right away.
References
How To Use A Menstrual Cup
There are different brands available in most stores and online. And most come in small or large versions.
The smaller version is best for those with a light or medium flow or those younger than 30 years old. The larger version works for those with a medium or heavy flow, are older than 30 or have had a baby.
Most menstrual cups are made of silicone or rubber. If you are sensitive to latex, youll want to buy silicone cups to avoid any issues.
How to insert a menstrual cup
Follow these steps to successfully insert a menstrual cup.
How to remove a menstrual cup
Ready to take out the cup? Heres a guide on how to do it.
Don’t Miss: What Helps Period Cramps Go Away Fast
Health Benefits Of Natural & Organic Tampons
Rayon, Dioxins, non-organic cotton, fragrances, chlorine, aluminum, viscose, glyphosates, BPAs are found in some older tampons and the bleaching products of tampon leaves dioxins as a byproduct.
Dr Iris Kerin Orbuch, Director of the Advanced Gynecologic Laparoscopy Center in Los Angeles
Currently, there is no research on whether organic tampons are safer than non-organic ones. However, the vagina can absorb toxic chemicals, especially over the thousands of hours you’ll potentially spend using a tampon.
Even though there is no evidence that organic tampons are safer, we believe organic is the safer choice if you’re a tampon user.
Feminine hygiene products have historically been secretive when disclosing the materials and ingredients used in them.
Things are starting to change, however. In late 2019, New York signed into law the Menstrual Products Right To Know Act, which requires manufacturers to put ingredient labels on menstrual products.
Cotton Vs Rayon Vs Synthetics Oh My
Lets get to the bottom of the issue by looking at what tampons are actually made of. In the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration requires that tampons be made of cotton, rayon, or a blend of both. 4 All organic tampons are made with cotton since rayon, a material typically made from food pulp, cannot be certified organic.
A number of conventional tampons are made with rayon. Rayon got a bad rap in the 1990s because it was often bleached with chlorine gas, a method that created dioxinstoxic chemical compounds that can cause many health problems, including cancer. 5 However, companies stopped using chlorine gas to bleach tampons in the 1990s.
What about bleach?
Some organic tampons market themselves as being chlorine-free, but these days, neither organic nor conventional tampons are bleached with chlorine gas. Todays tampons and padsorganic and conventionalcontain very low levels of dioxins, far less than the amount we often get exposed to through food. 6
VOCs in other feminine hygiene products
Volatile organic compounds are chemicals known to be harmful to human health and to the environment. Common VOCs include ethanol, formaldehyde, benzene, toluene and xylene. What do these compounds have to do with tampons, though?
For most , calculated risks were low however, menstrual pads had hazard ratios of up to 11, sprays and powders had hazard ratios of up to 2.2 and excess cancer risks of up to 2.1×10-6, and washes had excess cancer risks of up to 3.3×10-6. 8
You May Like: How To Take Birth Control Pills To Stop Period
Do Regular Tampons Make You Bleed More
Organic cotton tampons are free of harsh synthetic elements and potentially-harmful ingredients, so they tend to carry a much lower risk of toxic shock syndrome . This is because tampons made with organic cotton dont contain any elements that can possibly increase your risk of bacteria and other infections.
Do Organic Tampons Shorten Your Period
Hoping that switching to organic tampons will make your period end faster? Sorrythis gambit is unlikely to work. Medical experts say theres no scientific evidence showing organic period products cut periods short. 10 Were not entirely sure how this rumor was started, but there are other, scientifically-proven ways to shorten your period .
And while were on the topic: Its always a good idea to talk to a healthcare professional if your period lasts longer than seven days on average or is suddenly much heavier than normal.
Also Check: 7 Day Waiting Period For Short Term Disability
Does Wearing A Pad Vs A Tampon Shorten Your Period
“INFO: The team previously at hannahpad Canada launched their own new brand, illum! These blog posts have been written when we used to run hannahpad Canada. All information is still relevant and everything is the same! We simply changed the brand that we offer. “
Its absolutely normal to want to shorten the duration of your period. After all, though menstruation is a perfectly natural bodily process, many find it to be a source of discomfort as well as a hassle. So the good news is yes, there are ways to help you have a shorter period duration. But we might as well come out and say it now: tampons do NOT shorten your period – quite the contrary actually. And well explore more about that as we go along.
In this article, we will talk about the fundamentals of period cycles and their typical duration along with some ways to shorten your period. Tampons will definitely not work and will actually result in long periods, so we will chat about some other methods that work!
Without further ado, lets get started.
Can Exercise Shorten Your Period
Getting regular exercise can have an impact on the length of our period. By staying fit and keeping active you might be able to shorten your periods as well as lightening your flow. Also during your period exercise is a great way to relieve any pain that you may be experiencing, as the body releases its natural painkillers- endorphins.
By doing exercising that stretches your muscles such as yoga, you can help to loosen the muscles in your abdomen, back and thighs which may help to make you feel better while youre on your period.
Recommended Reading: Can I Continue Taking Birth Control To Skip My Period