For decades, most of us never questioned what was inside our period products.

We bought the same pads and tampons our mothers used. Trusted the brands on supermarket shelves. Assumed that if something was sold for intimate use, it must have been thoroughly tested and transparent about what it contained.

But in recent years, that trust has started to shift.

More women are now asking:

• What’s actually in my period products?
• Why aren’t ingredients clearly listed?
• What materials sit against my skin for hours every month?
• And why has period care remained so under-discussed for so long?

These questions aren’t coming from fearmongering or wellness trends. They’re coming from growing consumer awareness, emerging research, and a broader conversation around ingredient transparency in products we use every single month.

At Inoya, this conversation is deeply personal — and one of the reasons the brand exists in the first place.

Why More Women Are Questioning Their Period Products

Searches for:

• “non-toxic pads Australia”
• “what’s in tampons”
• “PFAS in period products”
• “safest period products”
• “organic pads Australia”

have grown significantly over the past few years.

And it’s not difficult to understand why.

Consumers today are more informed than ever about:

• skincare ingredients
• food additives
• household chemicals
• plastics
• environmental toxins

Yet period products — despite being used for thousands of hours across a lifetime — have historically received far less scrutiny.

Many disposable pads and tampons still provide limited ingredient transparency, particularly around:

• fragrances
• adhesives
• synthetic fibres
• coatings
• absorbent materials

For many women, that no longer feels acceptable.

What Chemicals Are Being Discussed in Period Products?

Recent media coverage and research have raised questions around certain materials and chemicals found in some disposable menstrual products.

These include:

• PFAS (“forever chemicals”)
• phthalates
• volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
• synthetic fragrances
• heavy metals
• dioxin-related compounds

Importantly, not all products contain these substances, and the presence, amount, and risk can vary significantly depending on the product and manufacturing process.

However, growing consumer concern has sparked wider conversations about transparency, regulation, and long-term exposure to chemicals in intimate care products.

What Are PFAS — and Why Are People Concerned?

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of synthetic chemicals often referred to as “forever chemicals” because they break down very slowly in the environment.

They’ve been used in a wide range of consumer products due to their water-resistant and stain-resistant properties.

PFAS  are now under increasing global scrutiny because of concerns around their persistence in both the environment and the human body.

Some investigations have also raised concerns about PFAS appearing in certain menstrual and personal care products designed for leak resistance or moisture control.

This has prompted many consumers to start asking more questions about what’s actually in their period care.

The Conversation Around Heavy Metals in Tampons

Another topic that has gained public attention recently is the discussion around trace metals found in some tampons.

A recent study discussed by UC Berkeley Public Health  identified trace levels of metals including lead and arsenic across multiple tampon brands.

The original peer-reviewed study, published on PubMed, contributed to broader public conversations around ingredient transparency and long-term exposure to substances in intimate care products.

For many women, the issue isn’t about panic — it’s about information.

People simply want clearer answers about:

• what materials are being used
• how products are tested
• and why ingredient disclosure in period care still feels limited compared to other personal care categories.

Why Ingredient Transparency Matters

The vulva and vaginal area are highly sensitive.

Period products are also used repeatedly over decades, often for:

• several days every month
• extended wear periods
• overnight use

That’s why more women are starting to think about period products the same way they think about:

• skincare
• cosmetics
• baby products
• food ingredients

Consumers increasingly want:

• clearer ingredient information
• fewer unnecessary additives
• more thoughtful manufacturing
• independent testing
• products designed with long-term health and comfort in mind

According to ABC Australia, growing public awareness around chemicals in menstrual products has also led to increased discussion around transparency and regulation globally.

At Inoya, we believe women deserve transparency — not guesswork.

Why Many Women Are Switching to Reusable Period Products

Alongside growing awareness around ingredient transparency, many women are also reconsidering the environmental impact of disposable period care.

According to National Geographic – disposable menstrual waste overview, disposable period products contribute significant long-term waste due to:

• plastic packaging
• synthetic fibres
• applicators
• individually wrapped products

For many people, reusable period products feel like a more thoughtful long-term option.

This includes products like:

• menstrual cups
• reusable organic cotton pads
• period underwear

The appeal often goes beyond sustainability alone.

Many users are also looking for:

• softer materials
• fewer synthetic components
• reduced irritation
• lower long-term cost
• more transparency around manufacturing and testing

Are All Period Products Unsafe?

No — and it’s important not to frame the conversation in extremes.

Many conventional period products continue to be used safely by millions of women worldwide.

The issue is less about creating fear and more about encouraging:

• informed choice
• better transparency
• higher standards
• and more innovation in women’s health products

At Inoya, we believe women deserve the right to ask questions about products designed for intimate use — without those questions being dismissed.

Why Inoya Exists

Inoya was born from frustration.

The kind that builds when you realise how little innovation, transparency, and open conversation has existed in period care for decades.

As a woman, mother, clinician, and public health professional, I found myself questioning:

• why ingredient transparency remained so limited
• why so many products still relied heavily on plastics and synthetic materials
• and why women were expected to simply trust products without clearer information

I knew we could do better.

That belief became the foundation for Inoya.

Our approach has always centred around:

• thoughtful design
• safer materials
• transparency
• comfort
• and creating products women genuinely feel good about using

From our reusable organic cotton pads to the Inoya Period Cup made from soft medical-grade silicone, every product is designed with care, independently tested, and created to support both comfort and confidence.

What to Look for in Safer Period Products

If you’re starting to rethink your period care, here are a few things worth considering:

Ingredient Transparency

Look for brands that openly discuss:

• materials
• testing
• manufacturing standards
• certifications

Fragrance-Free Options

Many people with sensitive skin prefer products without added fragrances or perfumes.

Reusable Alternatives

Reusable period products can reduce:

• waste
• ongoing costs
• repeated exposure to disposable materials

Thoughtful Materials

Organic cotton, medical-grade silicone, and independently tested materials are becoming increasingly important for many consumers.

A Bigger Shift in Women’s Health

This conversation is about more than just pads and tampons.

It reflects a larger shift happening across women’s health:

• questioning outdated norms
• demanding better research
• pushing for transparency
• and expecting innovation in products designed for women’s bodies

For too long, period care has been treated as something women should quietly tolerate rather than actively question.

That’s changing.

And honestly? It should.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are pads and tampons toxic?

Not necessarily. However, growing research and media coverage have raised questions around certain chemicals and materials found in some disposable products, which has increased consumer demand for transparency.

What are PFAS in period products?

PFAS are synthetic chemicals sometimes associated with water-resistant or leak-resistant materials. They are increasingly being scrutinised globally because they persist in the environment for long periods.

Are reusable period products safer?

Some people prefer reusable products because they offer:

• material transparency
• fewer synthetic components
• lower waste
• long-term reusability

The best product is always the one that feels right for your body and lifestyle.

Why are women switching to menstrual cups and reusable pads?

Common reasons include:

• sustainability
• comfort
• cost savings
• ingredient awareness
• reduced waste
• transparency around materials

Final Thoughts

Women deserve to know what’s in the products they use every month.

Not because we should fear our period care — but because transparency should never be considered optional.

At Inoya, we believe period care should feel:

• thoughtful
• modern
• safe
• comfortable
• and worthy of the same standards we expect from every other health-related product we use.