Be Clean:
3 Eco-Friendly Green Solutions for Natural Feminine Hygiene
by Kristen Hayton
additional editor’s notes by Rachelle Fordyce
The topic of women’s natural hygiene is an area that I had never really considered until recently. Have you really stopped to think about what are we putting in and on our bodies to take care of ourselves when that wonderful monthly visitor comes around?
I was recently reading, in Remedies for Life, “More than 10 years ago, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) sponsored a bill in the US House of Representatives ‘to provide for research to determine the extent to which the presence of dioxin, synthetic fibers, and other additives in tampons and similar products… pose any risks to the health of women.’ The bill never became law. In fact, it never even came to a vote.”
Wow! That is scary! What? Should I be surprised… but really, there aren’t any studies going on to research the effect of the chemicals being used in feminine hygiene products on our bodies. Wow, again.
Most feminine hygiene products include chlorine-bleached rayon and cotton, plastic, polypropylene, surfactants, and syntetic fragrance. And let me repeat: No one really knows what risks these chemicals are posing to our health.
So where does that leave us? What are our alternatives?
Here are a few green feminine hygiene alternatives to consider:
Disposable Organics
These include organic cotton liners, pads and Tampons. They should be chlorine free and organic, as conventional cotton is heavily sprayed with pesticides.
Editor’s Note: Although these options aren’t quite as friendly for the environment as the reusable options mentioned below, they’re definitely a step in the right direction for both your body and the environment. My personal recommendation, however, would be to choose one of the more Eco-friendly choices below. Your landfill will thank you!
Reusable Cloth Menstrual Pads
Okay — I hear it now and I agree: This idea of reusable pads takes some getting used to.
I can’t say I have tried this option but many people swear by it. Similar to the materials used for cloth diapers (no, they don’t look like cloth diapers), reusable menstrual pads save on money and landfill waste. These are made from cotton, hemp, wool, or bamboo. They are more breathable than the disposable pads and also contain no glue or plastics as the disposable pads contain.
Editor’s Note: I myself personally have used reusable pads. They aren’t bad! They can add a bit of extra bulk, however. Additionally, I must admit, if you lead a busy life, they are probably not your best option.
As most of us know, blood stains can be a pain to wash out. When I used cloth menstrual pads, I found I was falling behind in the extra washing and maintenance involved in their upkeep, due to my busy lifestyle. But if you lead a lifestyle where the extra time for the maintenance won’t be an issue, then please do consider this wonderful eco-friendly and toxic-free alternative! A couple well known brands of resuable mentrual pads are Lunapads and Glad Rags.
Reusable Menstrual Cup
These are flexible cups made of silicone or latex. They are inserted like a tampon. They catch the menstrual flow in the cup rather than absorbing it as the tampon does. This has an added benefit of avoiding the drying effects of the tampon. The cup is rinsed and reinserted throughout the day. It can be used overnight and can be reused for up to a year. It does take some practice to insert correctly to avoid leaks.
Editor’s Note: I have been using a reusable menstrual cup for about 3 years now, and I LOVE it. I can never go back to using anything else! Although you do indeed need to empty and rinse/wash out the cup, I find it to be much cleaner and more hygienic compared to any other kind of method, disposable or reusable.
Inserting the cup correctly takes a little bit of practice and getting used to, but soon it becomes second nature. As for myself, I only need to check it once a day to empty, clean, and reinsert. (If you have a heavier flow, perhaps twice a day would be better for you.)
The Diva Cup comes in two sizes: Size A and Size B. Size A is a little smaller and narrower, and is recommended for those who are under 30 and/or those who have never given birth. I’m over 30, but since I’ve never had a child, so I decided to go for size A and it seems perfect for me.
What about you? Do you use natrual, eco-friendly, body-friendly feminine hygiene products? What has been your experience with these products? Please leave a comment below and share!
Be Clean: A 30-Day System to Clean & Green Your Home
Your home is a reflection of your life and your thoughts. If you’ve got excess clutter, unorganized files, incomplete projects, etc. these are weighing you down literally and physically! Most people don’t realize that if you feel:
- tired, lethargic, and depressed
- out of control and struggle to concentrate or focus
- seem to stuck in domestic disputes more than usual
- your confidence and self-esteem are at an all time low
- struggle to make clear decisions easily
It could all be because of an excess of clutter!!
With Body Enlightenment, we get you to step off the scales and step into life!
When you put your attention on the other areas of life where you’re “carrying an extra load,” your physical weight, excess worries, stress, arguments and cluttered thoughts will all clear up without effort!
Be Clean: A 30-Day System to Clean & Green Your Home
COMING SUMMER 2012
Be Beauty:
30-Days of Detox for Natural Beauty and Real Health
We’ve created an entirely new paradigm for beauty care. When you start tapping into the floral pharmacy Nature has provided, “beauty” care becomes health care and a vital part of healthy living!
What if your night cream soothed your nerves and your morning moisturizer actually contained plant extracts that nourish and even your skin tone and heal scars?
What if you could finally peel away all the layers of synthetic goop you’ve been caking on your face and get back to your gorgeous, natural glow and look years younger and feel more radiant and healthy than ever before!??
It IS possible.
For a complete, head-to-toe natural makeover of beauty on the cellular level, please join us for the upcoming BE Beauty program. It’s 30 days of learning the most efficient, empowering natural beauty tips you need to know. Wrinkle-cream and powder puffs just don’t cut it anymore for women who long to reveal their natural, radiant beauty and sparkle with a vibrant glow reflective of the health and well-being happening on a cellular level.