QUESTION THE NORM: WHAT EVERY WOMAN NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT FEMALE HYGIENE PRODUCTS.

BY ALEXA SUMMERS

Choosing feminine hygiene products is a decision many women make routinely, often on autopilot. Most of us were given pads or tampons by our mothers when we were young. Apart from making a few minor adjustments, such as choosing a different brand based on factors like absorbency and comfort, we rarely bother to seriously consider the implications or alternatives to our choices. This was certainly the case for me. I never thought to question the pads I was using. I just trusted them to be the best and safest option out there.

When it comes to feminine hygiene, transparency has long been lacking. For generations, periods were rarely discussed because they were considered a social taboo. Companies have exploited this silence by refusing to inform women about the ingredients used in products that routinely touch the most intimate and sensitive parts of our bodies. This information is essential if we are to understand whether there are dangers associated with using the brands that line our supermarket shelves.

I spoke with Bali’s own award-winning menstrual health enterprise, Perfect Fit, to learn more about the issues with commercial pads as well as whether there were safer alternatives. To my surprise, I discovered that commercial pads, while widely used, contain a shocking range of chemicals and materials that can pose health risks.

Commercial pads contain Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which are substances that interfere with hormonal systems and potentially lead to adverse health effects. Some of the most common EDCs include phthalates, parabens, fragrances, organotins, triclosan, formaldehyde, PBDEs, OPFRs, and PFAS. These chemicals have been linked to skin irritation, allergic reactions, reproductive disorders, hormonal imbalances, and even cancer*.

To be honest, upon hearing all this, and even after reviewing some of the studies, I was skeptical. I had been using pads my entire life, and nothing bad had ever happened to me, outside of the occasional innocent itch. It seemed like fearmongering. Some of what I read did pique my interest, though. It made me realize there were some questions worth asking, and convinced me to dig deeper.

As is so often the case, it’s not that one side is right and the other is wrong. Rather, both are right under different circumstances. The critical factor in determining whether a woman will be negatively affected by the chemicals in feminine hygiene products lies in understanding the concept of cumulative exposure and individual vulnerability.

From the detergents we use to wash our clothes, to the plastic products we come into contact with, the environmental pollutants in our air and water, and even the food we eat, our bodies are constantly exposed to a myriad of chemicals. This exposure can compound over time and increase the potential health risks associated with individual products like pads, especially for those with sensitive skin or preexisting health conditions.

When certain chemicals interact with our bodies, their combined impact can be greater than the sum of their individual parts. This means that even if a single chemical is present at low levels and proven to be safe on its own, its effects may be amplified or altered when combined with other chemicals. That means it’s not just about the pads themselves, which may not cause harm alone, but the broader context of chemical exposure in our daily lives.

I had assumed that I was not in the category of people who should be concerned about these things. After all, I’m healthy, right? The trouble is, we don’t often know that we have a preexisting health condition in its initial stages. The early signs can be small, and we are pros at ignoring our bodies cries for help. We shrug off rashes; we blame our boss for poor sleep. We are used to bloating and the occasional bad mood. We don’t understand that all of these may well be symptoms of hormonal imbalance.

If left unchecked these imbalances can snowball into serious problems such as thyroid disorders, endometriosis, or even infertility. Studies indicate that, on average, underlying medical conditions take an astonishing 7-10 years (!) to diagnose.

And what about the amount of time it might take, once you have a diagnosis, to find the right treatment?

After combing through the lists of early warning signs of hormonal imbalance, I recognized too many of them in myself. I began to see that bad things might, in fact, be happening to my body. They were just happening quietly, slowly. This discovery put my choices in a different light. If my body is more delicate than I once assumed, then I need to make better-informed choices.

So what now then? Perfect Fit helps to highlight that healthier alternatives to commercial pads do exist. Organic cotton pads, reusable cloth pads, menstrual cups, menstrual underwear, sea sponge tampons, and biodegradable pads and tampons offer chemical-free options that prioritize both health and sustainability.

Organic cotton pads are made from pesticide-free and chemical-free cotton or bamboo, providing a natural and gentle option for those concerned about chemical exposure. They might be bulkier than the ultra-thin slick pads I’m used to, but it seems a small price to pay for my healthy temple.

I also discovered reusable cloth pads or menstrual underwear. These are washable and can be used many times over. I must admit, they weren’t my favorite choice for Bali simply because I don’t have a washing machine. Back home, however, where I can do my own laundry they’ve become my products of choice.

Menstrual cups, made from silicone or rubber, are inserted into the vagina to collect menstrual flow and are typically free from harmful chemicals. When I use them, I try to be sure that the supplier is not cutting corners by choosing cheap raw materials. Storage in humid moldy Bali is also a concern for me.

I’m grateful to Perfect Fit for opening my eyes to what I’ve unknowingly been risking all these years. By providing period care and period-positive education, they help women and girls feel valued, supported, and heard, which makes them more likely to be engaged and productive at school and in the workplace. You may see their products starting to emerge on the shelves of many health stores, cafes, and supermarkets here in Bali. Kudos for your amazing work.

more about Perfect Fit and shop their products here https://perfectfit.co.id