Sanitary Napkins/pads

[Juliebove]

Are any of these gluten free? I ask because I bought some Seventh Generation pads for myself. I don't have gluten issues, but I was reading on the package that they are made from something derived from wheat. I mentioned this to a friend who said that the stuff they are made of sounds like the standard stuff all pads are made of. So that got me thinking. My daughter isn't quite to the age where she would neefd to use these things, but when the time comes, I don't want to gluten her. Here's a link to the Seventh Generation pads and an explaination about the Lyasorb they contain that is derived from wheat.

Open Original Shared Link

[momandgirls]

You only have to worry if the product containing gluten is somehow going to get to her gut. Unless you are ingesting the pad, it doesn't matter what it is made out of.

[Guhlia]

From a sanitary standpoint she should definitely be washing her hands after putting a pad on. However, we all know how kids are, even the cleanest kids. I stick to tampons because of this issue. The only pads I've ever heard of not being gluten free are one of the Always pads. When I had my baby I used Stayfree and didn't have any gluten issues. I was really careful though just in case. I'd call the company just to be safe.

[ravenwoodglass]

I have DH. I would not even consider this product for a minute. The problem for me has always been with scented products and I will say I have never used this brand, however I will get nasty uncomfortable blisters from gluten contact with my mucous membranes and think you are wise to consider this. I use unscented liners and such with no problems. You may not see a 'gut' reaction from mucous membrane contact but gluten does get absorbed through those membranes, no matter where they are. Some countries use a gluten suppository to check for celiac. It is brought into contact with membranes and then 4 HOURS later the area is biopsied to look for the changes.

[taweavmo3]

Funny you brought this up....my husband was watching that show "How it's Made" on the Discovery channel, and one of the shows was about how sanitary napkins are made. It mentioned that the absorbant material is often derived from wheat. I never would have thought that pads could be a potential problem! It is definately something to think about though for when my little girl gets older. I can see how something that close to the body could cause a potential glutening, especially for those with dh, or those who are very sensitive. Gives me something else to investigate, but at least I have a while!

[Fiddle-Faddle]

You only have to worry if the product containing gluten is somehow going to get to her gut. Unless you are ingesting the pad, it doesn't matter what it is made out of.

Those of us with DH disagree with you!

I always wondered why I got so irritated from those pads! Hmmmm....

[Guhlia]

I don't have DH, but I always get horribly irritated by pads too. The only ones that don't rub me raw are Stayfree. All other brands that I've tried give me a horrible rash, almost like diaper rash, even if I'm not bleeding. Pantiliners are the same way for me except for Stayfree. Perhaps they don't use wheat for absorbency?

[Juliebove]

You only have to worry if the product containing gluten is somehow going to get to her gut. Unless you are ingesting the pad, it doesn't matter what it is made out of.

I guess I should have said that my daughter isn't celiac. She has allergies to wheat and gluten and she will get a rash if she comes into contact with them. This is why I was so worried.

[Juliebove]

I don't have DH, but I always get horribly irritated by pads too. The only ones that don't rub me raw are Stayfree. All other brands that I've tried give me a horrible rash, almost like diaper rash, even if I'm not bleeding. Pantiliners are the same way for me except for Stayfree. Perhaps they don't use wheat for absorbency?

Thanks! Maybe they are made differently.

[NoGluGirl]

Dear Alison,

I am so glad you brought this up! I have to wear pads all the time because of my cycle being off and on. I wondered why I was so irritated, and figured it was the yeast overgrowth. However, I wonder if the pads are the trouble. When I tried to look them up before, I could not find anything!

Dear Guhlia,

I think I am using Stayfree now. However, I have a yeast overgrowth as well. At least now I know what might have been causing the irritation to be worse. Lately, I have developed blisters. Since I am not sexually active, I knew an STD was out of the question. I kept trying to figure out what was going on.

Dear ravenwoodglass,

I may have DH, and wondered if the pads were causing the blisters. They are kind of like pimples, but hurt more. I think I may have it on my face, too. This appeared to be adult acne, but now I think it is something else. I cannot afford a skin biopsy to know for sure right now.

That is scary that these pads can cause you to be glutened! I will make sure to stick with Stayfree from now on. I think that is what I have been using for a while now. It is bad enough I get glutened because I am stuck living with my parents and sharing a kitchen. I do not need extra trouble from pads!

Sincerely,

NoGluGirl

[Fiddle-Faddle]

Another nasty thing about those pantyliners is, I swear they actually MAKE you have more discharge.

I don't understand how that could even be possible, but I swear that's the case. I even factor in ovulation, etc., and I still end up with WAY more discharge when I wear those things

[Juliebove]

Another nasty thing about those pantyliners is, I swear they actually MAKE you have more discharge.

I don't understand how that could even be possible, but I swear that's the case. I even factor in ovulation, etc., and I still end up with WAY more discharge when I wear those things

This is true. I am old enough that I remember when they first came out with them. They were advertised as something we needed every day to feel fresh. So I bought them, thinking I needed them. Oddly, I didn't have a prolific dishcharge before I started using the liners, but after I started using them, I had a discharge all the time. It was so bad that I had to change the liners every 2 hours or so. Then it dawned on me that maybe the liners were CAUSING the discharge! Sure enough they were. I think part of it could be sweat. I don't know.

Now I don't use them unless perhaps I am using a yeast infection treatment, but even then sometimes I prefer to use a thin pad. I seem to have less problems with a pad than I do with a liner.

[Ursa Major]

It never occurred to me that the pads could be causing a discharge! I bet it is on purpose, too, so people will 'have' to buy them.

I've made my own pads out of flannel now, and my discharge has gotten a lot less.

I also used to get terrible rashes and unbearable itchiness, which stopped as soon as I started using fabric pads.

[NoGluGirl]

Dear Alison,

I think you are right! My mother actually had to get a hysterectomy partly because she was raw from wearing the pads! She also had ovarian cysts like I have had. I know the yeast is some of my trouble, but the pads seem to aggravate that. I have not noticed more discharge, but have noticed more skin irritation.

Dear Juliebove,

The skin irritation can be due to sweat. You can get a heat rash there. I have yeast so bad, I am literally sore to the point sitting is painful as if someone jammed a bottle up me or something. My pantyliners have to be worn constantly, because of the on and off period. So much insane stuff is wrong with my body!

Dear Ursa Major,

I will keep that in mind. Cloth is gentler. I think Celiacs tend to have more skin sensitivity. Metals are a problem for many of us as well. You have to wonder, don't you?

Sincerely,

NoGluGirl

[confusedks]

I can second the "pads make you have more discharge" theory! It is so true...I will have to see what happens when I don't wear a pantiliner daily...

Also, it is interesting about gluten in pads! I never thought about that!!! I really don't like pads anyway so it isn't much of a problem, but that's interesting.

Kassandra

[Fiddle-Faddle]

I've made my own pads out of flannel now, and my discharge has gotten a lot less.

Oh, that sounds SO much more comfy!!

I've just been changing underwear once or twice a day (kind of a nuisance).

[nutralady2001]

This is something I have never thought of!

I am post-menopausal but do wear Poise/Tena Lady ( shhhh..lol...) I have now emailed them asking whether or not they contain any gluten products ( named them explained c/c etc )

[Michi8]

Irritation from feminine care products can be because of any number of ingredients. Synthetic fibres, dioxins, chlorine bleach, pesticides on cotton, etc. can all contribute. I have found that I am more and more sensitive to most of the commercial disposable femine care products. Started as an occassional rash, but it happens more often now.

I've switched to 100% organic cotton pads and tampons (Natracare: Open Original Shared Link ) and am very happy with them. I've also found that underwear with any synthetic fibres cause irritation and increase discharge. So only 100% cotton, and I make sure that my clothes are thoroughly rised after washing to reduce the chance of reacting to detergent residue.

Finally, I've discovered that I am sensitive to polyester...I clued in when I was making Halloween costumes and was using polyester batting/stuffing...my hands were becoming sore and raw from touching the fibre. I seem to have an easier time with a smooth/soft polyester fabric, but anywhere there's a rough/broken fibre I react. Even tags on cotton clothing can be synthetic...and cause eczema on me.

Michelle

[jerseyangel]

This is so interesting. I no longer wear pads, as I'm post-menopausal (surgery)

When I did have periods, they were too heavy to use tampons, so I used Always with wings for years. I would frequently get irritations and even blisters from them. At the time, I thought it was simply that it was the thickness of the pads.

One month, the store was out of the Always that I normally bought, so I bought Stayfree--and they didn't cause the irritation, so I kept using them. I wouldn't be surprised at all if Always uses wheat in the absorbant part of the pads--when I get glutened, I alway develop irritations and canker-type sores in my mouth.

I think that the two are connected in that gluten causes both--in different ways, of course.

[Fiddle-Faddle]

Always has a "stay-dry" liner on top of their pads that feels like a rubbery kind of plastic. I found that that liner is especially irritating. I always thought of it as the same feeling as wearing an old-fashioned slicker (raincoat) next to your skin--ugh.

[Michi8]

Always has a "stay-dry" liner on top of their pads that feels like a rubbery kind of plastic. I found that that liner is especially irritating. I always thought of it as the same feeling as wearing an old-fashioned slicker (raincoat) next to your skin--ugh.

Always was the first product I reacted to...just like a diaper rash! It was the plastic cover.

In the case of any of the feminine products, I don't think it's necessarily a gluten thing. I do believe that the chemical-filled absorbent layer is a health issue though, regardless of whether one reacts to the pads/tampons or not.

Michelle

[Juliebove]

Always was the first product I reacted to...just like a diaper rash! It was the plastic cover.

In the case of any of the feminine products, I don't think it's necessarily a gluten thing. I do believe that the chemical-filled absorbent layer is a health issue though, regardless of whether one reacts to the pads/tampons or not.

Michelle

Always chafe me very badly. I can't keep one of those on for more than 5 minutes. I fail to see how they can be the best selling pad. But I've been told they are.

[Cath4k]

I have heard for years that pads and tampons can actually make your periods longer and the cramping more painful due to the chemicals/synthetics in the products. Although I didn't think people were lying when they talked about how their periods were so much easier after switching to all natural products, I just didn't really believe it would make much difference in me. I considered my periods normal - some painful cramping on the second day with a 7 day flow.

I recently switched to all natural products. I have had three cycles since switching. There was an immediate difference even at the first period. For the last three cycles, I have had absolutely NO cramping. None! They have also been much shorter and the flow greatly reduced.

I was worried when I saw that Seventh Generation had gluten in it! So I contacted Natracare (the other brand we use) and they just emailed me today and told me that their products are gluten free. Here is a quote from their email:

"I can confirm that the biofilm base layer is made from corn and the other layers are a mix of organic cotton and cellulose (wood pulp), and there is no gluten in any of those materials, so therefore there is no gluten in our products."

So, if you want a disposable, natural product, Natracare would work.

Hope that helps,

Cathy

[Juliebove]

I have heard for years that pads and tampons can actually make your periods longer and the cramping more painful due to the chemicals/synthetics in the products. Although I didn't think people were lying when they talked about how their periods were so much easier after switching to all natural products, I just didn't really believe it would make much difference in me. I considered my periods normal - some painful cramping on the second day with a 7 day flow.

I recently switched to all natural products. I have had three cycles since switching. There was an immediate difference even at the first period. For the last three cycles, I have had absolutely NO cramping. None! They have also been much shorter and the flow greatly reduced.

I was worried when I saw that Seventh Generation had gluten in it! So I contacted Natracare (the other brand we use) and they just emailed me today and told me that their products are gluten free. Here is a quote from their email:

"I can confirm that the biofilm base layer is made from corn and the other layers are a mix of organic cotton and cellulose (wood pulp), and there is no gluten in any of those materials, so therefore there is no gluten in our products."

So, if you want a disposable, natural product, Natracare would work.

Hope that helps,

Cathy

Thanks! That's good to know!

[num1habsfan]

Very interesting. I have always used Stayfree because they are the only ones now who sell ones without wings. Like some of you here I have DH and my period is so irregular that I have to always wear one on a daily basis basically. (for example: ranges anywhere from 2 - 13 days, and from 8 days to 2 1/2 months between cycles). Can't get much more irregular than that.

Now I have a better excuse to only buy Stayfree...

~ Lisa ~