These Are 4 of the Top Ways to Have a Non-toxic Period

Have you ever considered your exposure to toxic chemicals in feminine hygiene products?

Protecting your health from everyday chemicals can seem like a never-ending feat. But this is an area where a few adjustments can drastically reduce your exposure, and it’s an important one.

Here’s why.

From the onset of menstruation until menopause, women, on average, will use approximately 11,000 menstrual products. And while menstruation is only several days a month, that adds up quickly. It’s been estimated to be about five years!

That means five years of exposure to whatever chemicals are found in your tampons, pads, and panty liners to sensitive and highly permeable areas of your body.

There’s also the over-the-counter medication women take to address the swelling, headaches, and cramping that accompany the menstrual cycle. They also come with health risks for sensitive digestive systems and with too much use.

The good news is that you can change your period game. It simply requires switching to natural means for reducing unwanted symptoms that come with your monthly menstruation and choosing safer products for your body.

Here are some top tips for how to have a non-toxic period.

The Problem with Typical Menstruation Products

A few disturbing studies published recently show that women’s feminine products contain a number of concerning chemicals.

Researchers of a scientific review published in April 2024 in the International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology were concerned menstrual products may include harmful chemicals from manufacturing processes and due to their fragrance, nonstick and antimicrobial properties. Because vaginal and vulvar tissue is highly permeable, they worried chemicals would be readily absorbed.

The review, which analyzed a total of 15 papers dating back 10 years, measured chemicals in menstrual products and human biomarkers of chemical exposure. They found that menstrual products contained measurable levels of a range of endocrine-disrupting chemicals.

Among the chemicals found were phthalates, volatile organic compounds, parabens, environmental phenols, fragrance chemicals, dioxins and dioxin-like compounds – many of which are hormone disrupters – also known as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). While exposure levels were low, the researchers expressed concern for females with reproductive health conditions for which EDCs are a risk factor.

Another study from June 2024 tested 14 different tampon brands (organic and non-organic) for 16 different metals and found measurable concentrations of them all – the most concerning being lead, cadmium, and arsenic. While all the concentrations were low, there are no safe levels of certain metals such as lead.

As humans in the modern world, we are continually exposed to these types of concerning chemicals and compounds in so many products. It’s not clear what the cumulative risks are.

There are other types of period products that are of concern.

While over-the-counter douching products are marketed to women suggesting that cleaning of the vagina is necessary after menstruation, medical research shows that this isn’t true. In fact, douching can be harmful. Research suggests that vaginal douching is associated with adverse gynecologic and reproductive outcomes. That’s because douching disrupts the pH of the vagina, setting the stage for infections. The vagina doesn’t require cleansing with water or any kind of liquid.

As mentioned, products to address unwanted symptoms from menstruation such as over-the-counter pain relievers may cause digestive issues and can be harmful when they are overused. And not all women want to use other options for period-related symptoms such as birth control pills and antidepressants as they tinker with the body’s sex hormones and brain chemistry.

4 Ways to Have a Non-toxic Period

Thankfully, there are non-toxic ways to manage menstruation and menstrual symptoms! Here are several.

1. Menstrual Cup

A PFA-free, medical-grade silicone menstrual cup is a safe, non-toxic option for your period.

A menstrual cup is a small, flexible receptacle that’s inserted into the vaginal canal and over the cervix (similar to a contraceptive diaphragm) to catch and collect menstrual fluids. The cup is then removed, emptied, rinsed, and reinserted every 12 hours (or sooner, depending on the amount of flow). It requires cleaning after you finish menstruating, and it can be used for years.

A menstrual cup also saves the environment from throw-away tampons and pads! Additionally, because menstrual cups allow the vagina to maintain a healthy pH, there’s less risk of common bacterial infections. It can also hold more menstrual fluids than tampons and pads and doesn’t interfere with sexual intercourse.

Menstrual cups come in different sizes, so it may take a month or two for you to find the right fit and get used to using it. Note: Although extremely rare, like tampons, a menstrual cup does come with a small risk of more serious bacterial infections.

2. Period Underwear

Period underwear are an excellent non-toxic option for menstruation. They’re just like a regular pair of underwear, but they have multiple layers made up of different fabrics, designed to absorb fluid, minimize odor, and prevent leakage. They just need to be changed every 10-12 hours. The fact that they’re washable makes them eco-friendly and economical too. Since they’re outside the vagina, there’s no threat of serious vaginal bacterial infections.

However, the type you buy is important. Because they typically have water-repellent and leakproof features, they could have PFAs. Be sure to choose PFA-free, organic menstruation underwear. It’s the safest, non-toxic period underwear you can choose.

3. No Washing Necessary

Your vagina doesn’t need to be washed after menstruation. Health experts say that the only maintenance that needs to be done is washing the vulva, preferably with a clean washcloth and warm water. You can use a mild soap if you’d like (being careful to use it only outside the vagina).

Choose natural soap that has no antibacterial agents, irritating ingredients, or “fragrance.” Fragrance is a catch-all for possibly a number of harmful ingredients since manufacturers don’t need to disclose what is in the fragrance.

4. Take a Natural Supplement for Symptoms

Instead of reaching for an over-the-counter pain reliever for unwanted symptoms during menstruation, choose a non-toxic, efficacious, natural supplement instead.

PMS Relief +, BrainMD’s new doctor-formulated supplement features Ginfort, which is a proprietary ginger root extract that has been shown in research to help reduce a number of symptoms associated with PMS and menstruation.

The formula additionally includes clinically studied nutrients (vitamins B1 and B6, vitamin D, magnesium, and zinc), which may provide anti-inflammatory and mood-boosting benefits, as well as help reduce the pain and cramping associated with menstruation.

Time for Adjustment

When you’re used to tampons, pads, and other practices to manage your menstruation, switching to these new, non-toxic products and practices will take time to adjust to. To stay motivated to make the change, just remember that you’ll be protecting your health, helping the environment, and saving money!

At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality supplements to improve your physical health and overall well-being. For more information about PMS Relief+ and our full list of brain healthy supplements, please visit us at BrainMD.

Meet the Author

Kim Henderson, Writer

Kim Henderson has been writing about health, beauty, wellness and the environment for more than 15 years. She’s the author of the award-winning book 50 Simple Steps to Save the World’s Rainforests and the former editor of Healthy Living magazine. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from UCLA.