5 FACTS ABOUT VAGINAL HEALTH
There’s no doubt that health promotion has succeeded in some areas – after all, we know what we should and shouldn’t eat, we know we should exercise regularly, and we understand that we need to do certain things and avoid other things in order for our heart to be as healthy as it possibly can be. One area that hasn’t been in the spotlight enough however, is vaginal health. Yep, we said it – the “V” word that people still tend to mutter incoherently or avoid entirely. But guess what? Around half the world’s population has one so it’s time we all started to get comfortable talking openly about it – don’t you think?
Let’s start by looking at five things you probably don’t realise about vaginal health.
THE VAGINA IS AMONG THE MOST ABSORBENT PARTS OF YOUR BODY
Medically speaking, the reason medication is administered via a suppository (i.e. up the butt) is because it’s incredibly fast acting. This occurs because it is almost immediately absorbed directly into the bloodstream upon insertion. And guess what? The vagina is similar. It is one of the most absorbent parts of your body, and therefore an almost direct gateway to your vital organs. So if you’re inserting tampons that have been sprayed or treated with chemicals, guess what is probably being absorbed every month? What you choose to use during your period, MATTERS!
- YOU MAY BE ABSORBING PESTICIDES EACH MONTH
Conventional cotton (i.e. non-organic) is one of the most sprayed crops on the planet. World renowned microbiologist and expert in tampon safety, Dr Phillip Tierno warns against using tampons made from conventionally grown cotton because they contain residues of pesticides, such as glyphosate (found in weedkiller, Round-Up) that are subsequently absorbed by the body. Alarmingly, glyphosate is the same pesticide, which in August, the San Francisco Superior Court of California deemed carcinogenic to a groundskeeper, resulting in an order for the pesticide giant Monsanta to pay him US$289 million for damages.
You may be wondering if such pesticide residues are processed out of the cotton, by the time a tampon is produced. Unfortunately, it appears not. In 2015, a widely reported study from the University of La Plata in Argentina, found that around 85 per cent of cotton products (e.g. baby wipes, gauze, cotton balls, and feminine products like pads and tampons), actually tested positive for glyphosate; hence Dr Tierno’s concerns.
CONVENTIONAL TAMPONS MAY EXPOSE YOU TO DIOXIN
Conventional tampons are typically made from a mixture of products which include bleached cotton, cellulose, rayon, viscose and other synthetic fibres derived from wood pulp (sawdust). When they are bleached, a by-product called “dioxin” can be released, which settles in fat cells and builds up over time. Regular exposure to dioxin is believed to be carcinogenic (i.e. causes cancer), and is also linked to endometriosis, endocrine or hormone disruption, immune system depression, infertility and toxic shock syndrome (TSS). When it comes to dioxin, it’s all bad news!
- YOUR TAMPONS MAY BE WORSENING YOUR CRAMPS OR THRUSH
There is increasing anecdotal evidence that using organic cotton tampons reduces cramps and thrush. This is one of the reasons that endometriosis support groups recommend using organic all-cotton products. And even if the evidence is still in its infancy, do you really want to continue to increase your risk when a small change in your period routine may be all you need to keep you not only safe but more comfortable too?
- ORGANIC ALL-COTTON TAMPONS ARE THE SAFEST OPTION FOR YOUR HEALTH
Tampons that contain synthetics are cheaper to produce than their organic all-cotton counterparts. However, they have been repeatedly associated with TSS, which is a rare but potentially deadly illness caused by bacteria, which is linked to the use of tampons. tampons.
FIND OUT MORE…
To find out more about optimal vaginal health, the benefits of using organic all-cotton tampons, and a highly convenient and innovative tampon delivery service, visit https://crimsonorganic.co.nz
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