The Toxic Dilemma
Cancer Causing Products
I have been a pad, tampon and period underwear user for approximately 15 years of my life. Living life blissfully unaware that these products may actually have potential cancer causing chemicals in them!
Companies get away with creating products they know are going to be touching my lady bits and have the consciousness to put them out in the world.
A recent investigative study commissioned between 2020 and 2022 by consumer watchdog site Mamavation, in partnership with Environmental Health News, exposed some alarming findings. They discovered that a shocking 48% of sanitary pads, incontinence pads, and panty liners analyzed contained perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS).
During my first attempt at limiting my exposure to harmful chemicals, I attempted to free bleed (I have a very light period).
But let's be honest, you can only bleed through so many pairs of underwear and sweats before free bleeding quickly transitioned from a bold statement to an impractical nuisance.
After realizing that I would have to accept that period products were a part of my life I decided to turn my attention to finding the best products that would not harm my body.
What are in these period-products that are so bad?
The key villains in this unsettling narrative are perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, more commonly known as PFAS or "forever chemicals." PFAS find their way into various everyday products, including those associated with menstruation. These man-made chemicals serve multiple purposes, from making pots and pans non-stick to enhancing the durability and stain resistance of textiles.
BUT, PFAS build up within our bodies and in our environment, leading to an array of health issues like cancer and immune suppression.
If you want to do a deep dive I suggest checking out these articles.
Why are they putting PFAS into our period products?
In menstrual products, PFAS help make the material more absorbent and, in the case of period underwear, more stain-resistant. Removing the PFAS and replacing them with less toxic substances that do the same job should be comparatively easy. The problem is, companies themselves sometimes do not even know they are using PFAS in their manufacturing process; the chemicals seem to be used in producing the raw materials they buy from suppliers.- https://time.com/6254060/pfas-period-chemicals-underwear-tampons/
Why is it so hard to not use PFAS?
The predicament lies in the ease of replacing PFAS with less toxic alternatives that perform the same tasks. Surprisingly, some companies may not even be aware of their use of PFAS in the manufacturing process, as these chemicals are often employed in producing the raw materials sourced from suppliers.
In shedding light on the PFAS predicament within period products, my aim is to empower individuals to make informed choices about their menstrual hygiene.
It's time we demand transparency, safety, and health as non-negotiables from companies responsible for products that impact the most intimate aspects of our lives.
What products can I trust?
I want to buy products from companies that prioritize the safety of their ingredients but also those that aren't under the umbrella of mega-corporations.
Why, you might wonder? It's because when you trace the source of these forever chemicals, it often leads back to mega-corporations. That's why I suggest and personally use CORA. It is female owned and gives back every time you buy!!
Not convinced? Try them yourself. Here is the link to view which Cora Products I recommend myself.
“Several years ago, a girl in Kenya told me she’d stay home from school during her period because she couldn’t afford period products. That story, along with the knowledge that wellness products could contain harmful ingredients, inspired me to found Cora–where we believe every body deserves comfort, especially during their period. So with every purchase you make, we provide period care and body literacy resources to someone who would otherwise go without.”
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