Why Clean Period Care Matters for Vaginal Health

Your period is a normal, healthy part of your cycle — but it does temporarily change your body’s natural balance. During menstruation, the vaginal environment becomes more sensitive, making it more vulnerable to irritation and infection. That’s why the products you choose during your period matter more than many women realize.

Clean period care supports your body at a time when it needs it most.

Menstruation Changes Vaginal pH — Clean Products Help Protect It

The vagina naturally maintains a slightly acidic pH, which helps protect against harmful bacteria. Menstrual blood has a higher pH, and when it sits against the body — especially in products that trap moisture or contain irritants — it can disrupt that balance.

When vaginal pH is thrown off, bacteria can grow more easily, increasing the risk of infections like bacterial vaginosis (BV) or yeast overgrowth.

Using period products made with clean, breathable materials helps support your body’s natural defenses rather than working against them.

Why Materials Matter for Infection Prevention

1. Harsh Chemicals Can Irritate Sensitive Tissue

The vulvar and vaginal area is highly absorbent and delicate. Products made with synthetic fibers, chemical finishes, fragrances, or dyes can cause irritation or inflammation — even if you don’t notice it right away.

That irritation can weaken the skin’s natural barrier, making it easier for bacteria to take hold and disrupt the vaginal microbiome.

EveryLife Women pads and tampons are made with GOTS-Certified 100% organic cotton — including the entire tampon and the topsheet of our pads. GOTS certification means the cotton is grown and processed without harsh chemicals, toxic dyes, or synthetic finishes.

Simply put: fewer irritants, less disruption, and better support for sensitive skin.

2. Breathability Helps Reduce Bacterial Growth

Warm, moist environments are ideal for bacterial growth. Period products made with  synthetic materials can trap heat and moisture against the body.

Organic cotton is naturally breathable, allowing airflow and helping keep the area drier — creating a less hospitable environment for bacteria linked to BV or yeast infections.

This is especially important during longer wear times or overnight use.

3. Clean Products + Good Hygiene Go Hand in Hand

No matter how clean a product is, changing it regularly is essential. During menstruation, blood and moisture create conditions where bacteria can multiply if products are left on too long.

Clean period care works best when paired with simple hygiene habits:

• Changing pads and tampons regularly
  

• Washing hands before and after product changes
  

• Avoiding fragranced sprays or wipes
  

Clean Period Care & UTI Prevention

While urinary tract infections don’t originate in the vagina, bacteria can easily transfer due to female anatomy, especially during menstruation.

Irritation from harsh materials or chemical additives can increase sensitivity and inflammation, making it easier for bacteria to travel toward the urethra.

Using gentle, organic cotton products helps reduce irritation and supports a healthier environment during your cycle.

Why Organic Cotton Makes a Difference

GOTS-Certified organic cotton isn’t just a label — it’s a standard. It ensures:

• No harsh chemicals or toxic finishes
  

• No synthetic fragrances or dyes
  

• A cleaner, safer material against your body
  

For something worn in such an intimate, absorbent area, those details matter.

The Bottom Line

Clean period care isn’t about being perfect. It’s about choosing products that respect your body’s natural balance.

EveryLife Women pads and tampons are designed with that balance in mind, using GOTS-Certified 100% organic cotton to help reduce irritation, support vaginal health, and lower the risk of infection during your cycle.

Because what touches your body matters, especially during your period.

References

1. Intimate hygiene practices that alter vaginal pH or use unhygienic menstrual products are associated with increased risk of reproductive tract infections. Science Direct
   

2. Poor menstrual hygiene management — including inadequate care and infrequent changing of absorbents — is a significant risk factor for bacterial vaginosis during menstruation. Springer Nature
   

3. The vagina is a self-cleaning organ. Using scented products or internal douching can disrupt its natural pH balance and increase the risk of infections such as bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections. CDC
   

4. Menstrual blood can raise vaginal pH temporarily, which can influence the vaginal microbiome and potentially make conditions more favorable for pathogenic bacteria if hygiene is poor. Science Direct

5. A healthy vaginal microbiome is dominated by Lactobacillus bacteria, which help maintain acidity and protect against infections; disruption of this balance is linked to conditions like bacterial vaginosis. Frontiers