Last Updated on February 24, 2023

One of the most common questions I get is “how do you handle your periods?”

While there are a number of ways to have a zero waste period, my go-to product is period underwear. It has all the comfort of regular undies, but keeps you leak-free. They’re also reusable and washable.

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Menstrual cups are a close second, as they act very similar to tampons. You insert it and get to forget about it for approximately 12 hours. Then you remove it, dump your blood into the toilet, and reinsert.

I have a whole blog post all about how to use menstrual cups, and how to choose the right menstrual cup for you.

However, I fully understand that reusable period options are a bit of a learning curve. And they’re not for everyone.

If you’re not quite ready to make the switch just yet, I really suggest looking into organic tampons and pads.

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. 

While organic tampons are still single-use, they’re a much better option for your body and the planet. Here are the best 10 organic tampons on the market.

are organic tampons better for you? 

Yes, organic tampons are better for you, and the planet. That’s because they don’t have any unnecessary harsh chemicals, fragrances or additives in them.

To understand this further, it’s important to talk about what’s in conventional tampons.  

Conventional tampons are made up of these materials: 

rayon 

This is derived from wood pulp. Rayons high levels of absorbency may cause the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus to grow and can cause toxic shock syndrome (TSS), a rare complication brought on by bacterial infection. However, it’s worth noting that only 3 to 6 people in 100,000 get TSS per year.   

cotton  

Conventional cotton production soaks up 16-25% of the total pesticides produced worldwide, even though the crop itself only covers about 2.5% of the world’s total agricultural land.  

Pesticides can be toxic to fish, birds and insects that benefit the environment. It can also contaminate drinking water and soil, which can be detrimental to human health.  

Organic cotton is the better choice because it’s grown without pesticides, so none will be in your tampons either. 

titanium dioxide (dioxin) 

Dioxin is an environmental pollutant with links to endocrine disruption and cancer. Dioxin was found in tampons when the wood pulp used to make rayon was bleached using chlorine gas. However, the FDA has put a stop to this process.  

Thus, dioxin is only found in small amounts in tampons. Truthfully, more research needs to be done to know if this is safe yet. Tampons made from organic cotton are still the safest bet, as there’s no rayon. 

fragrance 

Conventional tampons may contain fragrances, or organic compounds with strong smelling odors. The ingredient “fragrance” is usually just a cover word for potentially 100s of various synthetic scents and ingredients.  

Fragrance has been known to cause allergies, like coughing and sneezing. The safety of fragrances in tampons hasn’t specifically been studied, but fragrances are often irritating to vaginas, resulting in inflammation, itchiness, pain, and even infections.  

The vagina is a self-cleaning machine, and it shouldn’t smell like a field of roses. Organic tampons that are fragrance-free are the safer choice. 

bpa 

Bisphenol A (BPA), is an industrial chemical that has been used to make certain plastics and resins since the 1950s.  

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notes that BPA can imitate the body’s hormones and interfere with the production of, response to, or action of natural hormones.  

BPA is often found in many old-school tampon applicators, so it’s important to look for organic tampons without applicators, or BPA-free applicators.  

do you bleed less with organic tampons? 

No, you don’t bleed less with organic tampons. Organic tampons, or conventional tampons have no effect on the menstrual cycle duration or heaviness. 

what is the healthiest tampon to use? 

The healthiest tampon to use is one made from organic cotton. These are made without pesticides, fragrances, dioxins, or any other unnecessary harsh chemicals.

the best brands that sell organic tampons

Here are some brands that are making organic cotton tampons and get the Going Zero Waste seal of approval. 

I’ve compiled a list of the best organic tampons on the market. All the tampons listed below are made from organic cotton, have BPA-free applicators, or no applicator options. Some of them can even be composted after use. Many of the brands listed also give back to communities or the environment somehow.

I’ve gone ahead and highlighted some key features of each brand, but it isn’t an exhaustive list. Be sure to check out their websites for more information. 

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So, what do you think of these sustainable tampon options? Let me know which is your favorite in the comments!