By: Sherina Nicole

Like most children (in the US at least), I got very little education in feminine hygiene, learning most of it through life lessons, Usher songs, and ki-ki’s with women I consider sisters. In the 5th grade, my public school hosted "Girl’s Night", where we and our guardians discussed puberty on a very general level. The purpose of the evening was to give us an idea of the changes that our bodies were about to feel. Sent home with a Teen Spirit Deodorant, a pad, and pamphlets, I left confused and grossed out.

For two years, I learned by fire, leaking from not always changing my pads in time, getting two yeast infections, and general awkwardness when carrying my entire bag to the bathroom. With pads, I was convinced you had to sit perfectly straight in order to avoid a leak. It felt like I always had to choose discomfort over embarrassment.

Switching to tampons is a whole other story, reading the small print on the box that mentioned Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) and general usage directions. It has been YEARS that I have been using generic tampons-- cardboard, plastic, no applicator-- accepting it as the only option. It was not until college, after 7 YEARS of using generic tampons and pads, that I began to educate myself and listen to my body. It is after doing this that I was am OVER using the generic tampon found in the bathroom dispenser, and here are the reasons why.

• Cost

  1. Anyone who knows me, knows that I am FRU-to-the-GAL. Women spend upwards of $3 billion/year on sanitary protection. Within a lifetime, we use between 11,000-16,000 tampons. And then on top of that, depending on what state I am in, you want to TAX me? Over it.

  2. Though it is true that New York is one of the 9 states that no longer have the ‘Tampon Tax’ consider how many other states do! Furthermore, most states still tax menses-related items such as heating pads, pregnancy tests, and pain-reducing medication.

• Ingredients

  1. Next time you are in the store, head over to the tampons and read the box. Do you see any details about the ingredients used in the creation of these pads and tampons? NOPE! Though most common tampons and pads are marketed as fluffy, white cotton magic carpets rides for our vaginaa, many of them are not 100 percent cotton. We've been duped. Since pads are considered medical instruments, full disclosure of ingredients is not enforced on the box. On a tangible level many of these use a blend of cotton and rayon- something you would not know unless you go to the company’s website. 

  2. Even then, though tampon manufactures are regulated by the FDA, it appears the research utilized by the FDA comes from the manufacturers’ themselves, via their independent labs. And the data shared with the FDA is not made public either? For me, this is the same as the school cafeteria's mystery meat Sloppy Joe. It doesn't look right to you, but because the school said its safe to eat, you're expected to eat it.

• Clouded Advertising

  1. And that bright white we see, that ain’t real either. Though chlorine-bleaching as a method to sterilize and brighten sanitary products has been replaced by Elemental Chlorine-Free (ECF) and Totally Chlorine-Free (TCF), the intangible chemicals like dioxin, procrymidon, piperonyl, styrene, chloroethane, and chloroform are still left behind. Dioxin, though only present in small amounts, when absorbed in high dosages, can lead to a damaged immune system, reduced fertility, endometriosis, and Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). Now, remember what I said about 11,000-16,000 tampons in a lifetime? Yea. I’m not liking the math. Procrymidon, piperonyl and styrene were found by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and World Health Organization (WHO), respectfully, to be probable carcinogens. Chloroethane can cause negative neurological symptoms, while chloroform can lead to a weakening in muscle coordination.

  2. One pad has been said to hold contain as much plastic as four plastic bags, and be able to disrupt embryonic development. Phitalates, aka the thing that gives a smooth finish to many tampon applicators has been said to be able to lead to multiple organ damage.

• Potential bodily harm

  1. The vaginal canal, is lined  by a mucous membrane, that is full of blood vessels. This means that the vagina is highly absorbent of any chemicals  that is comes in contact with/introduced to.

  2. One of the most discussed topics in regards to vaginal absorption is Toxic Shock Syndrome, which is serious and can be fatal. It can is caused by tampons left in too long (especially those labeled as super absorbent), allowing a toxic bacteria directly into your bloodstream. Tiffany Haddish, a hilarious cast member of the movie Girls Trip, discussed this candidly in her radio interview with Power 105.1 (start at 29:54).

THE FUQS

• My thoughts do not have to be yours. This is meant to as means to a broader conversation on women’s right to sexual education and health options. Check out both sides, and do what is comfortable for you.

• Listen to your body. Doctors and scientists are still limited in their understanding of the female sexual organs. For me once I stopped using generic tampons, my cramps lessened noticeably, and my cycle lightened.

• If still using tampons (generic or 100% cotton),

  • Never leave in overnight, but rather use another form of protection.

  • Avoid plastic applicators, and be careful when inserting a tampon not to tear the inner canal

  • Read the ingredients on the company's website.

• If you decide to go another route, here are some healthy and well reviewed alternatives

  • 100% cotton tampons (Natracare, Organyx)

  • Menstrual Cups (Diva Cup, Blossom, Lena)

  • Period Panties (Panty Prop, Thinx, Lunapanties, Anigan, Pantie Pads, Period Panteez)