For my fourth and final (!!) post in this little “Clean Swap Stories” series, I’m talking about some special friends in all of our lives — clean, organic feminine hygiene products and my latest experience with them. Put on your big girl pants as I keep going with this post, because I’m going to be honest about things, trusting that you get it, sister. 🙂 Big-girl pants on? Ready? Let’s continue…
I’ve mentioned the IG account, Just Ingredients, more than once during my posts this week, simply because of the incredible knowledge that account has given me about products, food, and health, and how it’s all intertwined. Karalynne shares current research about products and food and what’s helpful vs. harmful for our bodies, along with her personal stories and the real-life stories of others, and her shared information has been a primary catalyst for me to make all of the “clean swaps” that we’ve talked about this week. One of those being to organic pads and tampons.
Never ever had I considered using an organic pad or tampon until this year. Actually, until this month. I had my first cycle this month since having Chloe (Sis quit nursing on me. Tears!). I don’t usually need a tampon for the first day of my cycle, and during my first day of this month’s cycle, all was well with my soul – no pain, no cramps. But when my flow picked up, I dusted off an ol’ Tampax tampon and hit the road for a necessary Target run. For the first hour into using a Tampax tampon, and right in the middle of a Target run, my cramps kicked in, kicking my trash as they came. Cramps, for me, feel like an overall, deep-tissue, painful soreness from my uterus down my back and into my inner thighs that lasts for at least one day, if not more. The pain usually gets high enough that I need an ibuprofen and a heat pad and a nap. No fun.
Well right in the middle of that Target run, as the pain worsened by the minute, I remembered what I had read from Just Ingredients’ posts, which was that mainstream tampons have chemicals in them that often cause painful cramps. I also remembered the stories women shared there about how after they switched to using organic pads and tampons, too, their painful periods ended. Like poof! Their cramps vanished once they started using organic, 100% cotton feminine hygiene products. Like a race car bee-lined for the finish line, I went straight for the women’s health isle at Target and picked up my first-ever organic pads and tampons, and as soon as I got home, I put them to use. I was really hurting by this point, but hopeful that I’d have the same experience with the organic tampons as soon as I detoxed from the Tampax.
Well guess what?
I did. Those women were right! It took a few hours for the Tampax tampon to wear off, even after I stopped using it, but when I used my new, organic tampon – a Cora tampon – the cramps didn’t come back. For the rest of my period – and for the first time in my life! – I had zero cramps. Poof. They were gone.
I called my mom and told her what had happened. I told her that during alllll of these years, my cramps were largely because of my tampons, not because of my body! I told her that I was certain of it because I had had no pain when my period started; only after I had used the Tampax tampon for an hour did the pain kick in. And then, after I used an organic, Cora tampon, the pain didn’t come back, even though I was still in my typical window for cramps. My mom was shocked. And honestly, so I was I. AND MAN WAS I HAPPY. I’d never thought I’d see the day where I’d admit this, but I’m almost excited for the girls to start their periods so that I can start them off on a really happy foot via organic feminine hygiene products, hopefully sparing them from dumb, unnecessary pain. Now if someone out there can just come up with the clean, safe remedy for PMS, I’ll be a really happy girl mom, haha. 🙂
It just goes to show, friends, that there is something about toxins and chemicals in products that do something to our delicate bodies and our systems. As we’ve seen through these “swap stories” this week, the experiences we have can slightly differ, but we all have the need to – somehow, in some way – lighten the load on our bodies. To give our bodies’ systems a fighting chance! It’s something so easy for me to say now that I’ve personally experienced the contrast between using standard versus toxin-free products – I’m a believer now – but I realize that my word can only go so far. You have to dip your own toes into this water, and again, in the way you feel is best per your needs. So take a good look again your current physical and mental health struggles, think about your family’s health history, and put your situations up against cleaner, safer products. See what happens! My gut tells me that something will positively happen. 🙂
Thanks again for reading my stories this week! In a quick review, here’s what we covered:
My Current – Clean! – Skin Care and Makeup Routine
I Found It! Natural Deodorant That Doesn’t Stink
DIY, Clean All-Purpose Spray That Works!
And, finally, this post today. 🙂
I love so much that I can chat with all of you here about making life as good as possible for us and, subsequently, for our people. Because it’s a good life, friends. Even with the current crazy!!! Life is good.
xoxo
Jeni
