Disposable Menstrual Pads

Presumably you've made your way to this site because you've used disposable pads and wanted to investigate alternatives. While their manufacturers make claims of convenience, there's a community of women dedicated to convincing you that the benefit is small compared to the harm disposable pads do. While there are plenty of reasons why cloth pads are good, this page is where everyone can voice why they think disposables are bad.

Disposable menstrual pads are bad…

for the environment

• In terms of sustainability, disposable products are always going to be worse in the long run than reusable ones.
• Most disposable pads are not very biodegradable, taking 500-800 years to decompose. And think about all that plastic packaging!
• The pesticides used in growing cotton, used in non-organic disposable pads, are harmful to the environment. Organic disposable pads and tampons are available from Natracare and Seventh Generation.

for your health

• Dioxin, a chemical byproduct of the wood-pulp bleaching process, has been linked to cancer, and can be absorbed through the sensitive skin of the vulva.
• Many women suffer from allergies and irritations as a result of fragrances and super-absorbent gels in disposable pads.
• Synthetic absorbent materials, such as the rayon in tampons, can especially dry out and irritate skin of the vulva and vagina. A disposable tampon alternative that cannot dry out the vagina is the Instead disposable menstrual cup.

for your wallet

• Disposable menstrual products are a monthly expense for approximately 35 years of the average woman's life.
• The big corporations that make disposable pads are run by men who want to make a huge profit off of your basic needs.

for your mind

• Disposable pads smell bad because of the plastic, air-tight waterproof barrier.
• The adhesives in disposable pads can stick to your skin, or, worse, your pubic hair.
• Bleached white pads make menstruation into a medical problem to be covered in bandage-like dressings.