Every month we ladies must deal with a natural inconvenience. Luckily we have an array of products to choose from to help us with this time of the month. Unfortunately, there are some drawbacks to many of these products, particularly for those with chemical sensitivities. But, for women looking for an alternative to disposable sanitary napkins and tampons, there are a few options to help.
What goes into these commonly used products can sometimes have unintended consequences. Often, layers of cellulose and super absorbent polymer powder (SAPs) are the main substances used to make sanitary napkins. Cellulose comes from plant material, while the polymers are chemically derived from petroleum or wheat, and both are quite absorbent. Tampons are made from bleached cotton, rayon or a blend of the two that have been processed with a variety of ingredients such as chlorine, fragrances and super absorbent chemicals. Chlorine bleaching releases a byproduct called dioxin. Dioxins is a broad name given to large group of chemicals, but according to the World Health Organization, dioxins are absorbed by fat tissue, which can cause reproductive problems and interfere with hormones.
Along with allergic reactions, and byproduct hazards, is possible exposure to bacterial infections in a very sensitive area! 
A risk carried with the use of tampons is contracting Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), an uncommon but detrimental condition that can occur if tampons have a high absorbency rate and left in for extended periods of time.
So what are the alternatives? A plethora of options can be found online, but here are some that can often be found in local pharmacies, supermarkets and grocery stores.
- Organic Products – Some products are made from 100% organic cotton, and are pH compatible, hypoallergenic, free from SAPs, and chlorine bleaching. Other products maybe derived from wheat but free from chlorine dyes and fragrances.
- Menstrual Cups – These alternatives often save money, and minimize waste all at once. Made from silicone, which is biocompatible with the body, these are great alternatives to bleached cotton and rayon. They can also be used for any activity from yoga to swimming. Like similar products, change 3-4 times a day and wash by hand. Avoid cups made in China, which are not FDA approved, and look for ones made in Canada or Finland.
- Cloth Pads – If you