Health Post # 2 - For Women
This post was written for women and with women readers in mind. Though anyone is welcome to read this post, please keep in mind that this post was written explicitly about things in regards to women's health.
This post, like the last post I wrote for women, is in regards to a woman's monthly cycle, something designed by God for child bearing.
 |
| "Red Flax" Flowers |
Women today have the convenience of purchasing disposable pads or tampons, but over 100 years ago, women did not have that option.
Down through the ages, women have used something similar to cloth menstrual pads.
Even today, there are women who enjoy using cloth menstrual pads for themselves and cloth diapers for their little ones. I admire those who do that, but honestly, I enjoy the convenience of disposable pads.
When my first monthly cycle showed up in my early teen years, my mom gave me what she used - disposable pads made by a brand called "Kotex". I can still picture the pink wrapper those pads came in. I used that brand throughout my entire teen years. Then in my 20's, I began working and decided to try another well known brand called "Always". I liked that brand; it worked well. Around the age of 30, I decided to try another brand I frequently saw for sale in grocery stores, a brand called "Stayfree". Out of those three, common brands that I used, I decided that I liked the "Stayfree" brand the best. It had a nice, cotton feel to it. It felt less like plastic to me compared to the "Always" brand.
I used the Stayfree brand until I was in my mid 30's when someone shared with me how toxic regular pads and tampons can be. They are? I was kind of surprised. To me, pads were pads.
I'd heard about "toxic shock syndrome" - something that can happen with tampons. Thankfully, that is extremely rare. But no. They were not referring to that.
They were referring to pads and tampons. Both of them, in most regular brands, have toxic chemicals in them they shared. (the same is true for regular brands of diapers for babies)
Feeling like I had to do something, I decided to try a more natural brand of pads. Thankfully, my work place got in weird stuff (I mean "off brands") like that. The first brand of natural pads I purchased (just a small package) were a complete joke. That particular brand didn't work for me. A good friend of mine laughed heartily when I revealed my secret to her, agreeing that "natural" brand didn't work for her either.
For someone who only bleeds a tablespoon during their entire menstrual cycle, that brand might possibly work for them. But for people like me, no. They didn't work.
Before giving up, my friend encouraged me to try another natural brand, one she liked much better. The brand was by the same company who makes the laundry detergent I use - Seventh Generation.
I tried them and loved them! They worked just as well as "Kotex", "Always", and "Stayfree". Better yet, they didn't have strong chemicals (like chlorine) in them. Are they completely toxic free? I don't know for sure, but I do know, they are much better than the regular brands I used for years. How do I know that?
Brief story here.
Over 4 years ago, I went on a road trip to visit friends living in other states, east of where I live. Thankfully, my friends were spread out in states where it only took a one day drive (or less) to visit each one of them. I never had to get a hotel. (something I don't like doing alone as a single woman) I enjoyed my time with each of my dear friends. Before heading home, my monthly cycle showed up a little early while I was at a friend's house. Oh dear! I hadn't prepared for that. I went to a few stores in my friend's area, hoping to find the brand I used and liked. Sadly, I couldn't find it. So, I settled on purchasing a package of "Always" - a brand I used for years. No big deal. I was just happy to have what I needed. As usual, they worked well for me. Except that, while using them, I began to get a rash - something I never got before when using any kind of pads. I'm not allergic to anything that I know of.
What was that rash from?
It was my body's way of saying: I don't like this.
Why did I have that reaction when I never did before with those pads?
Because I had been using better, natural pads, my body had, in essence, detoxed from the chemicals that are in regular pads. When I used those regular pads again, my body had a slight reaction, letting me know that it didn't like what was in them.
That is true of many things after we detox from something.
My mom told me recently that, when smelling something (toxic) recently that she used, she couldn't stand it anymore. I smiled and agreed and said something like: "Yes, that's what happens when you get away from the toxic stuff. Your body doesn't like it anymore."
Still feeling skeptical that common brands of pads and tampons are really that toxic?
Below is a link to an article about these things in feminine products and baby products:
It's so frustrating. Why do companies have to put toxic chemicals in female products? I don't know why.
But I do know that I try to stay away from common brands now for that reason. We have a discounted grocery store in our local area (the same one I worked in) where I can sometimes find the natural pads I like for a better price. If they don't have what I need, then I make a trip to the health store for them.
As a woman, using more natural pads and tampons (or cloth pads) is something important to consider for better health.
Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor, and I have no medical training. The things I share on this blog are simple, practical things that I've learned help with good health.
Comments
Post a Comment