The lowdown on pads: What are organic pads? Are regular pads toxic?
For many women, our monthly periods are so ingrained in our daily lives that we barely stop to give them a second thought (except when those killer cramps kick in, of course!) But with organic pads gaining popularity in the past few years, it’s time to reassess what conventional pads are doing to our bodies, and whether it’s time to make the switch.
The average woman endures approximately 456 periods over 38 years, and uses over 11,000 pads or tampons during this time. That’s a pretty sizeable amount of periods, pads and tampons - and if you’re using regular pads or tampons, chances are, you’re introducing a ton of chemicals into your body every time you reach for a new pad.
Organic pads vs regular pads:
#1: Organic pads are not bleached, whilst regular pads are.
Yes, your regular pad might look white and pristine, but that’s only because it’s been bleached using chlorine. And according to a French study by the 60 Millions de Consommateurs publication, the toxic dioxin and other by-products that arise from chlorine are linked to abnormal tissue growth in the reproductive organs - yikes!
#2: Organic pads do not come with odour neutralizers, whilst many regular pads do.
Many regular pads boast that they provide an odour neutralizing effect - but achieving this effect comes at a cost, namely, involving the usage of chemicals such as polypropylene, polyethylene, and propylene glycol. In several German studies, these chemicals have been linked to not just hormone disruption and infertility, but also more serious issues such as cancer.
#3: Organic pads are biodegradable, whilst regular pads are not.
If you’re using regular pads, you’ll probably be disposing of the equivalent of 135 kg of pads and tampons in an entire lifetime - creating a significant amount of waste. On the other hand, organic pads which are biodegradable are far more environmentally-friendly and sustainable.
Apart from the fact that organic pads are safer to use and better for the environment, they’re also known to be a lot more soft, comfortable and breathable than regular pads. Just like normal pads, organic pads come in a standard variation for everyday use, as well as an ultra option which is ideal for overnights or heavier flows. Convinced that you should switch from regular pads to organic pads? Try it - your body will thank you!