Culture & Entertainment

Period problems (as if cramps weren't bad enough)

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Culture & Entertainment

Period problems (as if cramps weren't bad enough)

I used to think the companies that make my tampons would have a moral responsibility to, at the very least, ensure their products won't do any harm to my body. Turns out that's not always the case. Not only do tampons and pads account for a great deal of pollution in our waterways, but may be polluting our bodies as well. Tampons, for instance, are made up of cotton - a crop that uses a great deal of pesticide (in many instances, cotton has been referred to the 'dirtiest crop', due to the heavy use of insecticides). Do you really want that in your body? Unfortunately there has been minimal research done to measure the effects the use of tampons or pads may have on our bodies, so it's hard to make an informed decision. The good news? There are many tampon and pad alternatives. Both Seventh Generation and Natracare make menstrual products from 100 per cent organic cotton, and are free of rayon, chemical additives and chlorine bleach (which most non-organic brands contain). These options are both better for your body and the environment. And, if you're brave enough, there's always the Diva Cup (a totally waste-free option). These brands are available to order online or at your local health stores. You can find additional information about tampon safety here. Do you use organic menstrual products? Are you willing to make a change?

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Period problems (as if cramps weren't bad enough)

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