Excerpt from Endometriosis Sourcebook

by Mary Lou Ballweg and Karen Gould

With the discovery that dioxin is linked to endometriosis, we may all be wondering how we can avoid it and other toxins that may damage our health. One problem area that we may not have considered is the use of tampons and sanitary napkins. Most women assume these products are sterile (they are not) and also that governmental regulations protect them. Unfortunately, there is very little regulation of sanitary protection products - manufacturers are not even required to inform consumers of the ingredients used in the products, for instance.

Because of chlorine bleaching of the pulp used in the products, dioxin traces are left behind. The Wall Street Journal reported in June 1992 that a congressional panel had accused the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S. federal agency charged with ensuing that drugs and medical devices are safe, of ignoring possible danger to women from tampons that may contain dioxin. The congressional panel uncovered an FDA document that noted that the risk of dioxin in tampons "can be quite high". However, according to the article, the FDA deleted a statement about these possibly significant risks from an agency report without a full investigation.

In addition to the danger to our health from dioxin traces in sanitary products made from chlorine-bleached pulp and paper, the process of manufacturing these products adds pollutants to our environment. And dioxin and related compounds aren't even the whole story. An article entitled " The Truth About Tampons" in the November/December 1990 issue of Garbage Magazine, The Practical Journal for the Environment cites a 1981 FDA study that found boron, aluminum, copper, waxes, surfactants (chemicals to improve absorbency), alcohols, acids, nitrogen compounds, and hydrocarbons occurred in tampons. In addition to the health hazards, especially for chemically sensitive women, as many with endometriosis are, these contaminants contribute to pollution. (Sanitary napkins and tampons never belong down the toilet, according to the article - they contribute to plumbing problems, they must be strained out of sewage systems and sent to a landfill, and all too many of them end up being flushed straight into waterways, including the ocean.)

Surprisingly, quite a number of companies are offering alternative products. Realizing that women with endometriosis, who perhaps use more of these products than anyone, now have yet another reason for using the healthiest products available, we're listing sources here.

Three categories of products are available: pads, tampons, and rubber cups. Each has advantages and disadvantages' pads and tampons offer a range of choices.

Pads are available in both disposable and washable cloth varieties. The disposable pads are chlorine-free and usually cotton-sheathed. They are convenient but of course still add to the load in our landfills. Also, they may contain irritants that can bother extremely chemically sensitive women.

Reusable cloth pads come in many varieties. Most are cotton flannel or fleece. They sport a wide variety of prints and colors (some are vegetable dyed). Securing options include belts, Velcro and wings that fasten. For the especially chemically sensitive, organic untreated cotton reduces problems that might arise from pesticides used to cultivate most cotton and dyes used to produce cloth in the pad. Some of the pads and their cases are very pretty - just seeing them can start to change one's perspective on periods! One company offers a beautiful young woman's beginner kit.

The issue of care of reusable pads is addressed in the book Whitewash: Exposing the Health and Environmental Dangers of Women's Sanitary Products and Disposable Diapers:

"For many women, the big concern is how they'll care for reusable pads afer years of just throwing the disposables away," says Lynn Burrows, founder of the reusable sanitary product company, Women's Choice. "What will I do with these messy things?" they ask. The answer is simple: Soak them in a bucket of cold water, which dissolves the blood and prevents permanent staining, the run them through the regular laundry. These pads wash up very easily, and they dry well, too."

Women working away from home have other concerns. "They wonder if reusable pads are appropriate, but it's just a matter of being prepared if you're out of the house for several hours. Store the used one in an airtight bag until you get home; then toss them in a bucket of cold water," Lynn Burrows advises.

Tampons are also available in disposable and reusable varieties. The disposable tampons are 100 percent cotton without chlorine bleaching. Natural sea sponges can also be used as tampons. Sponges have serious disadvantages. They may be contaminated with sand, fungi, or ocean pollutants. They also need to rinsed out promptly and thoroughly after use. For further discussion and instructions about the use of sea sponges, consult The New Our Bodies, Ourselves, p. 250 (by Boston Women's Health Book Collective, Touch stone, 1992).

A rubber cup called The Keeper is a third type of alternative. It's a small reusable rubber cup advertised to last at least 10 years. The rubber might be an irritant for the chemically sensitive.

With so many choices available, some combination of products that best suits your need should address the issue of convenience. Once they switch, many women report that they are more comfortable.

Alternative menstrual protection products are available primarily through mail order, although many health food and ecology stores carry some of these items. Today's Choice, a line of chlorine-free pads and panty liner, and Natracare tampons are often available in these stores.

Chlorine-Free Disposable Pads and Tampons

Seventh Generation, 49 Hercules Dr., Colchester, VT 05446-1672, 800-456-1177: Chlorine-free pads and liners. Body Elements Terressentials Catalog, 3320 N. 3rd St., Arlington, VA 22201-1712, (703) 525-0585: Natracare 100 percent cotton, chlorine-free tampons.

Washable Cloth Pads

Body Elements Terressentials Catalog (see disposables): Moon Wrap pads with wings in cotton flannel, floral, and organic cotton, Moon Pouch for transporting, Moon Bowl for soaking.

GladRags, PO Box 12751, Portland, OR 97212, (503) 282-0436: Flannel pads in colors or organic cotton fit inside a cotton liner that attaches around the crotch of panties.

Menstrual Health Foundation, 104 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol, CA 95472, organization that promotes "products, programs and publications for menstrual wellbeing and empowerement," including 100 percent organic cotton knit reusable menstrual pads. The foundation notes its pads "provide a healthy alternative to current commercial disposable products which are bleached with chlorine and create toxic dioxins, harmful to humans and the environment."

Many Moons, #14-130 Dallas Rd., Victoria, BC V8V 1A3, Canada, (604) 382-1588: Flannel pads attach with belts or wings, in prints, colors, or organic unbleached cotton, carrying bag, soaking pot.

Modern Women's Choice, PO Box 245, Gabriola, BC V0R 1X0, Canada, (604) 247-8433: Cotton fleece pads with nylon backing, Velcro attachment, wings and Velcro-added panties, purse carrier.

The Natural Baby Co., Inc., 816 Silvia St., 800 B-S, Trenton, NJ 08628-3299, (609) 771-9233: Flannel pads in white, floral, or untreated cotton with Velcro fasteners and waterproof purse bag.

The Natural Choice, 1365 Rufina Circle, Santa Fe, NM 87501, 800-621-2591: Organic cotton pads.

Rubber Cup

The Keeper, Box 20023 Cincinnati, OH 45220.