Wednesday, 13 May 2015 11:00

Organic Feminine Hygiene: Is Your Tampon Full of Toxins?

How much do you know about the feminine hygiene products you're using? Are you aware of how many chemicals and toxins they might be harboring?
Women all over the world use feminine hygiene products. It's a necessary evil, thanks to Mother Nature's "gift" of menstruation.

But, how much do you know about the products you're using? Are you aware of how many chemicals and toxins they might be harboring?

Susie Hewson is the founder, owner and developer of the global brand leader of organic and natural feminine hygiene, Natracare. A lifetime environmentalist, Susie changed the feminine hygiene category forever thanks to her impassioned protest against the effects of dioxins in the manufacture of paper pulp products, such as tampons and sanitary pads.

Susie says that many women are simply not aware of how their feminine products are made; but, why would they? It's impossible to keep track of all of the products you use in your home on a daily basis, especially when you're trying to provide the best options for your entire family.

Unfortunately, many products are exposed to pesticides (cotton) and dioxins due to a bleaching process. These chemicals accumulate in the fatty tissues of your body and can have severe health consequences down the road.

Despite the trend of consumers demanding full transparency, there are no laws to mandate that companies disclose what is in their products. If they're not afraid what's in their products, why NOT reveal it? Susie agrees, they are hiding something. 

Some of the symptoms you might experience from non-organic products include burning, a burn-like rash, and thrush-like symptoms (but not actually thrush). Some researchers even point to increased endometriosis complications, because more dioxins are present.

Remember, your body is a delicate balance, and is directly impacted by what you put in it, on it, and what you're exposed to on a daily basis. 

Sure, natural products can be a bit more expensive to produce (and also to purchase), but in the long run, it balances out the long-term costs, both financially and in regards to your health. 

Do these products work just as well? The short answer is yes. Tampons and other feminine hygiene products are regulated by the government so they have to work just as well as other products on the market. 

Listen in as Susie joins Andrea and Lisa to share more about organic feminine hygiene options, as well as why she became so involved in this industry.

Additional Info

  • Segment Number: 1
  • Audio File: naturally_savvy/1520ns3a.mp3
  • Featured Speaker: Susie Hewson
  • Guest Facebook Account: https://www.facebook.com/Natracare
  • Guest Twitter Account: @natracare
  • Guest Bio: Susie Hewson is the founder, owner and developer of the global brand leader of organic and natural feminine hygiene, Natracare. A lifetime environmentalist, Susie changed the feminine hygiene category forever thanks to her impassioned protest against the effects of dioxins in the manufacture of paper pulp products such as tampons and sanitary pads.

    The immense environmental task that Susie undertook in the 1980’s, resulted in a full product range including the world’s first certified organic cotton tampons and totally chlorine-free sanitary pads and pantyliners, which are genuinely created from sound environmental principles. In 2008 she received the Women in Ethical Business Award and was elected Fellow of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA) joining a highly respected society whose past and present members include Charles Dickens, Adam Smith, Benjamin Franklin, Karl Marx, William Hogarth, John Diefenbaker and Stephen Hawking.

    Susie readily supports many environmental and humanitarian causes including Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth, The Women’s Environmental Network, Circle of Health International and The Algalita Marine Research Institute. She has given essential support to many humanitarian causes, including Israeli and Palestinian midwives who are working together amidst the violence in the Middle East and Rural Women’s Network in Nepal who are providing emergency relief items for victims of the earthquake, particularly in the poorer villages.
  • Length (mins): 10
  • Waiver Received: Yes
  • Host: Andrea Donsky, RHN and Lisa Davis, MPH