What’s Really in Disposable Period Products? (And Why It Matters)

When you walk down the period care aisle at any supermarket, most of the shelves are lined with disposable pads and tampons — colourful packaging, big promises, and words like “ultra dry” or “cottony soft.” But have you ever stopped to ask: what are they actually made of?

You might be surprised to learn that many mainstream period products contain a cocktail of plastics, synthetic fibres, adhesives, fragrances, and chemical treatments — ingredients that sit directly against one of the most absorbent and sensitive parts of your body. And the long-term effects? Let’s just say your skin, your hormones, and the planet could all do without them.

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The Hidden Ingredients in Disposable Pads and Tampons

While manufacturers aren’t required to disclose full ingredient lists (especially in countries like Australia), independent testing and industry reports have revealed the most common materials used in disposable period care:

• Polyethylene & Polypropylene (Plastics): These are used in the top sheet, back sheet, and leak-proof layers of pads. While they help prevent leaks, they also trap heat and moisture — the perfect combo for irritation and discomfort.

• SAPs (Super Absorbent Polymers): Found in the absorbent core of pads, SAPs are petroleum-based gels that swell when wet. They’re efficient — but not exactly breathable.

• Rayon & Viscose: Tampons often contain rayon, a bleached wood-pulp fibre that increases absorbency but has been linked to higher risk of micro-tears in the vaginal lining.

• Fragrances & Deodorants: Some pads and liners are scented with synthetic fragrance chemicals, which can disrupt the vaginal microbiome and irritate sensitive skin.

• Adhesives: The sticky strip that keeps a pad in place often contains glues and bonding agents that can include phthalates — known endocrine disruptors.

• Bleaching Agents: Many products undergo chlorine bleaching (or use chlorine dioxide), which can leave behind trace amounts of dioxins — a group of chemicals linked to immune disruption and reproductive harm.

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The Impact on Your Body

These ingredients might sound like something from a cleaning aisle — not something you’d want near your vulva. Unfortunately, many people do experience reactions to disposable products without even realising it:

• Itching, rashes, and discomfort: Prolonged exposure to plastic-based pads can cause chafing, overheating, or dermatitis — especially during long wear or warmer weather.

• Allergic reactions: Synthetic fibres and fragrances can trigger contact allergies, particularly for those with sensitive skin or chronic conditions like vulvodynia.

• Micro-tears and pH disruption: Tampons made with rayon may dry out the vaginal canal, increasing the risk of irritation and altering the natural pH balance — which can lead to infections like thrush or BV (bacterial vaginosis).

• Hormonal disruption: Chemicals like phthalates and dioxins, even in trace amounts, have been flagged by the World Health Organisation as potential endocrine disruptors.

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The Impact on the Planet

The problems don’t stop with your body. A single person uses an estimated 10,000 to 12,000 disposable menstrual products in their lifetime. And because most pads are made with up to 90% plastic, they take hundreds of years to break down in landfill.

• Each pad = roughly 4 plastic bags worth of plastic

• Over 12 billion pads and tampons are disposed of annually worldwide

• Ocean waste and wildlife risk: Tampons and applicators often end up in waterways, contributing to marine plastic pollution

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So What’s the Alternative?

This is exactly why we created Freedom Flow® by Mimi & Co — a better way to bleed.

Our range includes:

• Ultra-soft reusable period pads, made with absorbent natural fibres and no plastics, perfumes, or nasties

• Medical-grade silicone menstrual discs that sit comfortably and securely, even for those with IUDs

• Reusable accessories that make care simple, hygienic, and eco-friendly

When you switch to reusables, you’re not just ditching disposables — you’re gaining comfort, saving money, and making a powerful choice for your body and the planet.

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In Summary: Choose Period Products That Care For You

Your period care should never come with a warning label. You deserve products that are safe, breathable, and comfortable — not ones laced with synthetic fibres and hidden chemicals.

At Freedom Flow®, we believe you shouldn’t have to compromise your health or your values to have a good period. Our reusable pads and discs are designed to move with your body, give you full control, and leave no trace behind — on your skin or the Earth.