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November 11, 2015

Why You Should Care What’s in Your Feminine Products

30 comments
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Thank you to LOLA for sponsoring this post.

Okay. Any guy readers out there? Yeah, you – all 3 of you – I’d recommend skipping this one. You’ve been warned. 😉

Do you guys remember when I wrote a couple months ago about how I’ve been working to change all my personal care/beauty products to more natural versions? (If you missed that post, here it is: the Best Natural and Organic Beauty Products that I’ve found so far – including natural deodorant, toothpaste, makeup, etc.) As I wrote in that post, I’ve been slowly working over the past year to change all of my products over to more natural versions. Next on the list? Feminine products.

lola tampon review

Feminine products were one of those things that I never really thought twice about buying generic/popular versions of until recently. When I started researching switching over my other products, though, I discovered that the FDA doesn’t require feminine care brands to disclose a comprehensive list of ingredients in their tampons, so most of them don’t. And that’s because major brands use a mix of synthetic ingredients in their tampons including rayon and polyester, and often treat the tampons with harsh chemical cleansing agents, fragrance, and dyes. Yikes.

A few weeks ago, I was literally in the process of Googling “natural tampons” when LOLA emailed me. How’s that for serendipity? LOLA is a cool new company that, on a monthly basis, mails tampons directly to your door. (No awkward last minute drug store trips? Sign me up.) But here’s the really awesome part: their tampons are 100% cotton with compact BPA-free plastic applicators, 100% biodegradable, and contain no additives, synthetics, chemicals, or dyes.

lola natural tampons

The NYC-based start up was founded by two Dartmouth grads on a mission to revolutionize the feminine care industry, and they are certainly doing it!

lola subscription tampon delivery service

I found their website easy to navigate, and love that the subscription is fully customizable so you can choose your mix of light, regular, and supers, number of boxes, and frequency of delivery. You can also change, skip, or cancel deliveries at any time.

lola tampon subscription review

Bottom line: I received a free box for this review but have since already gone on their website and signed up as a paying recurring/long term customer for monthly deliveries. A quality, natural, customizable product + no more drug store runs = total win.

If you’re interested, too, the first 100 readers to use the code fannetastic on LOLA’s website will receive 50% off their first one box order. New customers only – and unfortunately LOLA is only available in the continental US at this time (no Hawaii or Alaska).

Am I the only one who didn’t think to look into ingredients in feminine care products until recently?

- anne
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30 comments
  • Rainie
    November 11, 2015 · 10:20AM:
    So cool! I recently started trying to switch to more natural products too and was surprised at how hard it is! I really love Proactiv but there are so many harsh chemicals in it. Still working on that one!
    Reply
  • Gwen @ Nutty G Fitness
    November 11, 2015 · 10:26AM:
    So glad you posted this. Just signed up :) I have been transforming both beauty and home products to more natural lately, and this is the perfect addition. And, one that I hadn't really thought about.
    Reply
    • Anne
      November 11, 2015 · 10:27AM:
      Right?! The more I've started to switch the more I've realized that I need to switch!
      Reply
  • Lauren November 11, 2015 · 10:38AM:
    Thank you for this! I just saw a Facebook ad for Lola yesterday and was seriously considering it as I am trying to transition to more natural products - you convinced me to pull the trigger! The discount code didn't work for my order (because it was originally more than $15 before the 2-for-1 newbie special), but wanted to let you know regardless :)
    Reply
  • Kendall
    November 11, 2015 · 12:18PM:
    Great info; thanks for sharing. The plastic packaging on each individual tampon is a bummer, though. I use ob tampons for their minimal waste/packaging.
    Reply
    • Anne
      November 11, 2015 · 5:12PM:
      I'll make sure that LOLA sees this feedback!
      Reply
  • Anna November 11, 2015 · 1:36PM:
    Switch to a menstrual cup and never waste money on tampons again! Environmentally responsible + no more pharmacy runs + saves money + helps you monitor your menstraul changes (gross but cool and potentially important health information) = total win. The diva cup is about $25 on Amazon I believe.
    Reply
    • Anne
      November 11, 2015 · 1:39PM:
      I've actually read up on that before but it kind of grosses me out/sounds messy, to be honest...
      Reply
      • Danie November 11, 2015 · 1:40PM:
        Frankly, it is a bit messy sometimes, but once you really get the hang of it, there's minimal mess, and it's really easy. There are cheaper cups on Amazon than the diva. I found one for like $12, and it works much better for me than the Diva versions.
        Reply
        • Anne
          November 11, 2015 · 1:42PM:
          Interesting - thank you for sharing! I think I'd mostly be worried about it feeling weird or leaking during fitness stuff... that doesn't happen at all? Something to keep in mind, for sure, though I think for now I'll stick with tampons. :)
          Reply
          • Danie November 11, 2015 · 4:07PM:
            There is some leaking at first because it takes most people a few tries to really get it in right. But after you get it, it's no problemo. I've had mine in during heavy squat sessions, running, and even ballet class, and it's been totally fine.
            Reply
            • Anna November 11, 2015 · 4:31PM:
              Yes to all of this. I bought the diva because it was the only one I knew of at the time (several years ago) but there are several in very slightly different shapes/sizes. Some people like one over others. I'd say there is a learning curve for 2-3 months but so worth it in the end. I wore a panty liner as a backup through the first 2 periods but it never leaked even then. And it holds a lot of blood safely for up to 12 hours (no risk of TSS like with tampons) so I only have to change it twice a day even on the heaviest days.
              Reply
              • Ann Dunaway Teh
                November 12, 2015 · 2:58PM:
                I'm a HUGE fan of menstrual cups as well. Started with the diva and have another whose name I can't remember. After having children, I just couldn't do tampons anymore. Like others have mentioned, there is a learning curve initially and I wear a panty liner on my heavy flow days, where I do have to empty it about once or twice during the day. But I have far less issues than with tampons and it is so much more comfortable to me. I just love it.
                Reply
      • Ashley November 12, 2015 · 12:23AM:
        Do it! It's a life changer. Sounds like hyperbole, but the thought of using tampons to me now seems ludicrous. I didn't really have much of a learning curve either. Worked like a charm the first time I used it, I went for a 7 mile run!! I only have had one mishap (in close to a year of using it), where it leaked cause I didn't have it in right. It is one of the BEST decisions I've ever made;)
        Reply
    • J November 11, 2015 · 7:30PM:
      I'm a menstrual cup convert too. So much better for the environment! And after the first few days, they are so easy to use.
      Reply
  • Danie November 11, 2015 · 1:39PM:
    I just took tampons out of the running altogether and started using a cup, one made from medical-grade silicon. They work awesome, and there's no risk of toxic shock syndrome, even if you leave it in for a WAY long time. Plus, there's no risk of spotting or being caught off-guard without supplies when you're on a trip or out in public, because you just take it out, rinse it off, and put it back in! It's super convenient, eliminates a TON of garbage/waste, and is safer because of the TSS thing. Something to consider, if you haven't heard of it before! I just started using one a year ago, and I will never, ever go back.
    Reply
  • Ashley V November 11, 2015 · 2:17PM:
    I've been using the DivaCup for years now (I can't pinpoint when I started using it, but it's been at least 4 years), and it seriously changed my life. That sounds like an exaggeration, but I used to use a super tampon and a giant pad because of leakage issues (TMI, I know, but it's a little hard to avoid TMI given the topic ;)). I have had zero leakage issues, even during exercise (occasionally I use a liner if I'm a little nervous about it). Granted, I'm currently having HA issues and haven't had a cycle since August, but I still sing the praises of a cup. Is it weird and gross at first? Yep. That goes away, though, and it is so worth the discomfort at the beginning. Seriously, I can't recommend it enough.
    Reply
  • monique carbone November 11, 2015 · 2:38PM:
    the link is not working for me :(
    Reply
    • Anne
      November 11, 2015 · 2:42PM:
      I just tested all the links and they seem to be working... I'm not sure what to tell you! I'm sorry!
      Reply
  • Frannie November 12, 2015 · 9:24AM:
    Just a thought about the 'harsh chemicals' used to treat the tampons - cotton tampons are made from a plant, and they are exposed to many environmental bacteria, which are harmless on our skin but can overgrow in moist, low-oxygen, environments like our vaginas. Cleaning the cotton is absolutely important to our health and safety. My understanding is that one common cleansing agent is lye, which is used to make pretzels (yum) and those natural soaps we all like so much. If the LOLA product found a better or safer way to clean the cotton, I'm all in, but if they are not cleaning the cotton, it could be a giant safety risk. Also, as a minor complaint, 'no chemicals' is a misnomer. Everything is a chemical. You and I are made of chemicals. Can we stop bastardizing chemicals? I'm begging you to use your influence to help people build their chemical vocabulary and not use 'chemicals' as a demonic. (Yes, I have a Ph.D in biochemistry and I am on my soap box right now).
    Reply
    • Anne
      November 12, 2015 · 10:11AM:
      Thank you for this comment, Frannie! I'll make sure LOLA sees it and will let them respond if they'd like to. Appreciate your input re: chemicals, too - good insight!
      Reply
  • Hannah November 12, 2015 · 10:54AM:
    I got into a similar kick in grad school of trying to eliminate superfluous products and now basically haven't used shampoo in 3 years! Since I have curly hair, I "co-wash," which is where you only "wash" your hair with silicone-free conditioner. Now that I don't use any detergent products to strip my hair and dry out my scalp, it is SO much less oily than before and I can co-wash once per week and just scrub with water the other days. For the feminine hygiene aspect, I use a combination of O.B. (no applicators) and a reusable silicone menstrual cup. Not for the squeamish, but so much easier to pack for traveling.
    Reply
    • Anne
      November 12, 2015 · 11:37AM:
      I tried to do the no shampoo thing but it didn't go so well, ha. My hair was not loving the different stuff I tried, unfortunately! Maybe I'll give it another shot at some point. :)
      Reply
  • Ginger November 15, 2015 · 11:16AM:
    I can't second the recommendations for a menstrual cup enough! I switched several years ago and have never looked back. There is a bit of a learning curve, but after using it a few times and getting the hang of it, I was sold. No chemicals, so much better for the environment, and has saved me so much money over the years. Rather than the Diva Cup brand, I went with Lunette (http://www.lunette.com) and found their smaller size, Model 1, to be a perfect fit. As for the whole no shampoo thing? We're still working on that.... I use too many products to tame my short pixie cut to get away without washing it for now.
    Reply
  • Dade Dyana
    November 16, 2015 · 12:01AM:
    Hi Anne - There has been a lot of scary stuff online lately about tampons. I read an article on Huffington Post about TSS recently and was petrified. I love that companies like this are moving towards safer means of feminine protection. What do you think of the diva cup? I know that is alternative and it's reusable.
    Reply
    • Anne
      November 16, 2015 · 8:46AM:
      I've never tried it -- a lot of people as you can see in the comments here love it, but as for now at least I plan to stick with tampons... less messy. :)
      Reply
  • Kris S November 16, 2015 · 4:36AM:
    Great post! For whatever reason my Mom (leftover hippiness from the 60s ?) always tried to buy the most natural of the commercially available tampons so we had them around our house and she explained this to me when I was a teenager. Plastic applicators might be the most comfortable but cardboard ones are better for the environment, and there's a no need to fill the things with chemicals- we're literally putting them in our bodies! Who needs that! I totally support this company and although since I live abroad I can barely read the boxes of things as it is and am just trying to get something that works, I'll be more choosy if/when I return stateside :) Way to go for being brave enough to post about this quasi-taboo topic!! :D
    Reply
    • Anne
      November 16, 2015 · 8:47AM:
      That's so awesome your mom was on this train so early! Go her. :)
      Reply
  • Leiah August 26, 2016 · 6:30PM:
    I am very interested in this product. I don't like not knowing what's in my tampons especially since I have so many allergies and an autoimmune disorder
    Reply
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anne mauney fannetastic food
Hi, I’m Anne! I'm a Washington D.C. based Registered Dietitian, mother, runner, and lover of travel, adventure, and the great outdoors. I've been blogging since 2009, sharing a mix of lifestyle content, recipes, and fitness tips. Come for the recipes – stay for the fun!
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anne mauney

I’m Anne, a Registered Dietitian and mother. I've been blogging since 2009 and love showing others that eating nutritious foods and staying active can actually be fun rather than overwhelming!

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