The first time I got my period, my mom cried. She also cried when I found out about Santa Claus and shaved my legs for the first time, which sadly probably weren’t too far off from each other. I was her baby.
I was in the middle of a basketball tournament that weekend when Aunt Flo made her debut. My mom showed me how to use a pad. As I ran up and down the basketball court, my dad said to my mom from the bleachers, “Something is up with Katie. She just doesn’t seem like herself.”
YOU TRY PLAYING A SPORT IN WHAT FEELS LIKE A DIAPER, DAD.
It wasn’t until sophomore year, several months after my mom passed away, that girlfriends finally convinced me to try tampons. I remember sitting on the toilet, trying to follow their directions through the door, fighting back tears as they giggled. I missed my mom.
Thankfully, I figured it out because Lordy tampons are so much easier than pads. Since then, I’ve probably gone through 3000 tampons. I know. This is such riveting information. I’m even going to tell you what kind of applicator I use.
My name is Katie. I like to overshare.
Through the years, I’ve heard mixed reviews on whether or not tampons are, in fact, safe. Was the cotton they are made with sprayed with pesticides? Was it bleached? Oh, they are scented? What’s in that “fragrance” – a catchall word for over 5000 chemicals.
We are sticking these in our vaginas, ladies.
So I did some research and I’m left just as confused. I found one article that claims there’s nothing to be worried about. And another article that supports the claim that some tampons have a certain level of toxicity.
Currently, tampons are classified as medical devices by the FDA (which made me LOL for some reason), therefore are not required to include ingredients, just what they are made of. If I haven’t mentioned it already (I have), I don’t trust the FDA.
Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-NY) introduced a bill in 2017 that, if passed, would require all manufacturers of tampons and pads to disclose ingredients through the Menstrual Products Right to Know Act of 2017. I would like to please be a fly on the wall the day our government discusses that.
At the end of the day, as a stage 4 cancer thriver, I’m not taking any chances. Last year I made the switch to Lola, mentioned in both articles I found. Lola is an automated monthly service that delivers period and sexual health products to your door (tampons, pads, liners, cramp care, condoms, lubricant, and cleansing wipes). Their products are made with 100% organic cotton.
Here’s how it works:
- Customize your subscription: Choose from a variety of period and sex products and customize each order to suit your needs. I get the tampons with cardboard applicators and make a custom blend of regular and super.
- Set your delivery frequency: For each subscription product, you decide when to receive it (every 4 or 8 weeks). They cover standard shipping!
- Add additional products: Choose from a selection of one-time purchase items anytime without disrupting your subscription.
Every time I get a delivery, I can’t remember what it’s for. And because their packaging is so discreet, I don’t remember until I open the box! I’m able to adjust my order or skip orders because they send a reminder email two days before my next order processes. I can also cancel at any time without penalty.
Lastly, avoiding Target, where I used to pick up tampons, saves me hundreds of dollars per year.
Here’s $5 toward your first order. Give it a try! Get 15% off your first subscription order with code FIRST15. Use Ebates to get $2.50 off your order, too.
If you take nothing else from this post, please stop buying tampons with fragrance in them. That, I know, is not doing you any favors. If you’re that worried you smell, just don’t let anyone’s nose near your vajayjay.
It’s been real.