Those of us who menstruate seemingly have endless options in the feminine hygiene aisle. Plenty of brands with different colors, "features" and scents. Whenever a sale pops up, we can stock up on the smooth gliding plastic applicator types. For many people pads are an omen for overnight security, and they especially come with fun designs and packaging.

(If you didn't really care to read further, I hope you like our super cute packaging, because our product is a lab project!)

While the Western World is beginning to take notice of both our personal health and our planet's, feminine hygiene products seem to be the one thing many are overlooking. Do you have a box of these products in your possession? Grab it now and look for an ingredients list. You've never seen one, right? Why have we been inserting mystery fibers soaked in mystery chemicals like "fragrance" for years? Thankfully there are some AWESOME initiatives looking to crack these big name companies into releasing their ingredient list. Detox the Box and Women's Voices for The Earth have been working against companies like Proctor & Gamble to release the ingredients of their products. The result is unfortunate, but at least we have answers!

The "Chem Fatale Report" from the previous link reports:

"Tampons Hazardous ingredients may include dioxins and furans (from the chlorine bleaching process), pesticide residues and unknown fragrance chemicals. Exposure concerns include cancer, reproductive harm, endocrine disruption, and allergic rash.

Pads Hazardous ingredients may include dioxins and furans, pesticide residues, unknown fragrance chemicals, and adhesive chemicals such as methyldibromo glutaronitrile. Exposure concerns include cancer, reproductive harm, and endocrine disruption. Studies link pad use to allergic rash."

They go on to discuss wipes, washes, and deodorants which even YouTube's Laci Green urges you NOT TO USE. (links to video "Dirty Vag!nas")

Why does it feel inevitable that we create so much WASTE when we have our period, period? Some of us who may follow alternative lifestyle platforms realize that the DivaCup exists, as well as washable pads! I have had a lot of different feedback from people who have tried the menstruation cup, and it is a personal decision. The one thing I urge you to do is go APPLICATOR FREE if you are a tampon user -- especially the plastic types. Spend the extra three dollars on a box of product to ensure they at least have LESS chemical contents, and hopefully just beautiful unbleached organic cotton.

Check out the following products:

NatraCare

Lunapads

In short, "FDA approved product" doesn't mean squat (we should know this by now). Minimize waste, you'll have your monthly friend for years to come! Try alternative forms of menstruation management. Don't be afraid of or disgusted by your body. Love your body. Love your planet.