I got my first period when I was 11 years old. I’m 34 now. That means I’ve had (hold for minds to stop being blown…) roughly 300 periods. In the 23 years I’ve been a bleeder, I’ve tried and tested a lot of products and brands. Organic cotton is the better choice because it’s grown without pesticides, so none will be in your tampons either. titanium dioxide (dioxin) Before we dive into all the reasons why you should make the switch, what’s the difference between regular tampons and organic tampons, anyway? But considering tampons literally go inside our bodies every month, it’s about time the conversation around the available tampon options -- and their potential health impact -- gets a little bit louder, don’t you think?

In the market for a great organic tampon? We’ve got you. Here's our guide to some of the most popular organic tampon brands out there.Once upon a time when your period arrived, pads were the only option, but now you can choose from tampons, period panties, menstrual cups, and even organic tampons. Yes, organic. Not just for food anymore, organic is term you've likely seen when buying bedding or beauty products, and now it's made its way to menstrual care products. Wendie Trubow, MD, MBA, IFMCP, board-certified OB-GYN at Five Journeys, and author of Dirty Girl: Ditch the Toxins, Look Great, and Feel Freaking Amazing!

Endocrine disruptors (like dioxin) can cause serious problems with hormones, fertility and are even linked to cancer. But with organic cotton tampons like the ones from Rael , you won’t find dioxin or any of the other harmful endocrine disruptors that you find in conventional cotton - thank goodness! They are usually bleached with peroxide, while traditional tampons are bleached to be bright-white with chlorine. And according to experts, when tampons are bleached with chlorine, it creates dioxin as a byproduct. Dioxin is a well-known carcinogen (a substance that is capable of causing cancer) and a possible hormone disruptor -- not exactly something you want for your lady parts. The Benefits of Using Organic Cotton Tampons Conventional tampon and pad brands use a combination of bleached rayon, conventional cotton, and contain plastic. Also, conventional cotton uses a lot of pesticides — things you probably wouldn’t want to put in such a sensitive area. When you’re using a conventional tampon, you are already exposing your most sensitive areas to toxic materials. So when you think about the possibility of some of these toxic elements being left behind even after you remove your tampon, you’re probably right in feeling a little freaked out! Organic cotton tampons are usually constructed with a special weave that reduces this risk, so you can worry less about toxic residues and fibers being left behind.On the other hand, organic tampons are made with 100% organic cotton -- meaning cotton grown without any harsh insecticides or pesticides -- and it’s free of any fragrances, dyes, and harsh chemicals .