Clean Living with Kerry Sue
Safe Clean Period Care Options
Aisles are dedicated to period care. So many choices and varieties are presented to us and as was pointed out in my last article (HERE), many of the current choices are not considered safe and clean. What is a girl to do?
Short of washing our own menstrual rags (which in the Old Testament are likened to our righteous acts in Isaiah 64:6) which are rather filthy, what can we to do to control the flow and keep our bodies functioning optimally, and maintaining a healthy flora as well?
There are many period care products are on the market – pads, tampons, menstrual cups and discs, liners, sea sponges and period panties. Some are disposable while others are reusable. The Federal Drug Administration regulates these medical devices; pads are considered Class I (lowest risk) and tampons and cups are Class II (non-significant risk). For clarity, Class III are high risk devices such as pacemakers. Medical devices classified as Class II means that the product is not FDA-approved, but is FDA registered; the FDA needs to be aware of the device, and only Class III are FDA-approved. “In other words, the FDA uses these three classes as a recognition tool for the level of control that’s necessary to assure that people can use them safely, correctly, effectively” (FDA Registration vs FDA Approval: What it Means for Your Menstrual Cup, June Contributor, April 12, 2021, June, thejunecup.com). Also “manufacturers are required to submit to FDA a detailed risk assessment of device components, the design, and test results. If questions were raised about safety, manufacturers are required to provide additional information to the FDA” (FDA REGULATION OF TAMPONS AND PADS, FemCare Answers, femcareanswers.com).
PADS – Called sanitary napkins or pads, which are designed to be worn externally attached to underwear. Pads can be organic, nonorganic, synthetic, made from cotton or wood pulp, with or without plastic or polyester components. “For women who are prone to irritation (like external itching, chafing or rashes, and even imbalances of their vaginal flora), ditching synthetic products for organic ones can provide some relief” (The 8 Best Organic Pads to Stock Your Bathroom With, Women’s Health, Sarah Bradley, March 21, 2019, womenshealthmag.com). Pads come in a variety of sizes for absorption as well as length for different times of the day and/or activity, making them useful for many menstruating women. Common brands such as Stayfree, Always, Carefree and generic varieties can be seen in our grocers’ aisles; while safe, clean and organic options are becoming more readily available as well, such as The Honey Pot, Cora, LOLA. Another option gaining popularity is reusable cloth pads (and one that I use). Either handsewn or purchased, these can be a regular part of your stash and used as you would disposable ones – simply wear, change out as needed, rinse in shower or sink, and wash with regular laundry. My current dozen is going strong after 3 years.
TAMPONS – It has been said that an average tampon-using woman will use up to 11,ooo tampons in her lifetime, making this product very popular. A tampon is worn inside the body and there are a wide variety of choices: with or without applicator, size and absorbency ranges. FDA regulates the ranges (6-18+ grams) of absorbency as well as across-the-board corresponding term. Warnings of association with tampon use and Toxic Shock Syndrome need to be placed prominently on the label, “in such terms as to render the information likely to be read and understood by the ordinary individual under customary conditions of purchase and use” (CFR – Code of Federal Regulations Title 21, U.S. Food & Drug Administration, January 6, 2022, accessdata.fda.gov). There are tampons available for purchase that are NOT FDA regulated, so if this is important to you, look for these regulations. “The agency requires tampon manufacturers to submit safety evaluations, which include a detailed description of the product’s composition and absorbency, risk assessments, and safety test results” (The Mystery of Tampon Regulation, Jasmine Wang, The Regulatory Review, September 2, 2021, theregreview.org). Good to note is the fact that FDA requires ingredient lists, but it only recommends labels to list the presence of chemicals in products. With shelves and websites full of choices, it does take some sleuthing to find the right product that best fits your needs and desire for safe and clean products. Brands like Blume, The Honey Pot, Cora, LOLA, Tampax Pure, Oi, Sustain, Veeda, and Seventh Generation are available and many of these are considered safe and clean. Some brands are sold only online and have a subscription option as well as personalized boxes for your needs.
Because such a thing as period poverty exists – meaning there are menstruating women of all ages who do not have access to products, finances, proper hygiene care nor have access to clean water – there are companies that will donate a tampon, pad or an entire box to a woman in any part of the world that needs them. Companies involved in this very kind and compassionate act will indicate it on their packaging.
CUPS – Called menstrual cups which are bell-shaped and made of either medical grade silicone (safe and clean) or latex rubber making them reusable. Sanitation and cleanliness are a must when using the cup (or any period care product. Using clean hands before and after is paramount to maintaining balanced vaginal flora and overall clean hygiene). A cup is rolled up and inserted into the vaginal canal below the cervix. There is a definite learning curve with this which many women get the hang of and love the 12-hour option of leaving in place, removing, cleaning and re-inserting. There are different size options and the key is finding the right size for you and your flow. Brands include Saalt, Cora, The Flex Company, and June. Many how-to videos exist to aid in learning more. Prices generally run $20-40.
DISCS – Like the menstrual cup, it collects blood rather than absorb it (like a tampon or pad), but the difference is that a disc is inserted farther up the vaginal canal next to the cervix. Again, there is a learning curve, but many women find the hours-long benefits far out-weigh the many trips to the ladies’ room with tampon and pad use. Most discs are made of both a plastic film and a firm plastic for the rim. Brands include The Flex Company, Cora and June. Some discs are reusable and are made from medical grade silicone which can last up to 10 years if they are washed and sanitized after each cycle (Menstrual Cups and Discs: What do You Need to Know and Which is Right for You?, Siobhan Neela-Stock, January 23, 2021, Mashable, mashable.com). Price range for disposable discs are about $1.50/disc while reusable ones run about $40 per disc.
SEA SPONGES – Yes, some women choose these. It is an option, but not a recommended one. The main reason being sanitation. And, how in the world would one get it out? Save the seas sponges for use in the shower as a natural scrubber – but even then, one should let it dry out completely and swap it out often to control mold/bacteria/fungus.
PERIOD PANTIES – A newer option on the scene (Thinx brand in 2014), and many women find them a great option for controlling flow and leaks. Some women use both panties with tampons for heavier flow days and find them to be very effective. Brands: Thinx, Knix, Modibodi, Victoria Secret, The Period Company, Wuka, Luna Pads, Bambody, to get you started. Prices vary from under $20 to $40 or more. They are reusable and after rinsing them in the sink can be thrown in the wash with regular laundry. Panties are made for heavy or light flow days with a recommendation of changing at least every 10-12 hours to avoid odor and leakage. On heavier flow days, changing more often is recommended and necessary. Is menstrual underwear considered safe, nontoxic and clean?
“In March 2020, Jessian Choy, a journalist for Sierra Magazine, released a report stating that independent lab testing of period panties had some alarming findings. The testing, which took place at Notre Dame University, found that Thinx panties contained per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs), a class of toxic chemicals linked to significant health impacts like cancer, reproductive problems and endocrine disruption.
“The tests looked for the presence of fluorine, a very strong indication PFAs.
“PFAs are known as ‘forever chemicals’, and are often found in non-stick pans, fast food packaging, firefighting foams, and more. PFAs are called forever chemicals because their chemistry keeps them from degrading in normal environmental conditions.
“The danger of PFAs is greater if ingested. Still, because these chemicals are in the underwear itself – in the ‘moisture wicking’ layer – and are directly against the vagina, there is major concern about the health impact these panties might have” (We Found the Best Period Underwear (Without Toxic Chemicals), Better Goods, April 1, 2022, bettergoods.com).
The article goes on to further state that it is unclear how many PFAs might be in each panty and what might be considered a toxic level. THIS gives a rating for PFAs as well as documents ingredients in each brand. Note: some panties and brands do have higher levels of PFAs than others, but from a safe clean perspective, any traceable amount of PFAs is unacceptable.
Each of us is unique and each require or desire specific products to maintain the lifestyle we have while having our monthly cycle – activity level, amount of flow, whether we’re traveling or swimming – therefore the many variety of products is helpful for us in 2022. Gone are the sanitary napkins with belts and pins. Rags are a thing of the past. We can be discreet and have good hygiene at the same time while using period care products that help us take optimal care of our bodies. And, if we choose, we can help other women throughout the world receive or have access to period care products too, giving us a deeper bond with menstruating women the world over.
