Shoppers Love These Affordable Organic Cotton Tampons

From period underwear to menstrual cups, menstrual cycles have gotten a makeover in the past decade. New brands are constantly creating clean and effective feminine care products that match your needs and make the monthly occurrence a little less dreadful — and while organic products were previously hard to source, some of the biggest retailers are now hopping on the trend. Case in point: Walmart sells a $7 package of organic tampons with all-over rave reviews.

The Rael Organic Cotton Tampons (Buy It, $7, walmart.com) are made with 100 percent organic cotton and without potentially harmful and irritating chemicals, dyes, fragrances, and carcinogens. Even more, the applicators are BPA-free. From the more than 2,400 reviews it's garnered on Walmart's website so far, over 1,700 gave these organic tampons a five-star rating — which is impressive for a feminine care essential.

Okay, but does using an organic tampon really make a difference? Many tampons on the market are made of a blend of rayon and cotton, and are bleached to that crisp white shade. That may sound worrisome, but according to the National Women's Health Network (NWHN), the production of tampons has become safer in recent decades due to the removal of chlorine in the rayon bleaching process. "The amount of...chemicals found in tampons and menstrual products is significantly less than the amount [people] ingest and even less gets absorbed by the vagina. There is not enough evidence at this time to suggest that the amounts present in tampons are dangerous," Stephanie Hack, M.D., ob-gyn and host of the Lady Parts Doctor podcast, previously told Shape.

Dr. Hack, as well as gynecologists interviewed by the NWHN, noted that the way you use tampons (i.e. using the correct absorption level for your flow and regularly changing your tampon) is more important for your safety than the materials used. Not to mention, tampons on the market are considered medical devices and, as such, are cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration before being sold.

That said, choosing to use organic tampons is a personal choice that many people with periods prefer. If you're not a fan of the idea that the materials are bleached, or that the ingredients list is not readily available to consumers, you might choose the organic alternative, such as Rael's organic tampons, which just contain one simple ingredient: 100 percent organic cotton. Also, organic cotton tampons are more environmentally friendly since the cotton is quicker to biodegrade than its non-organic counterparts, as the NWHN points out.

Of course, an organic tampon is only worth using if it's effective, and Walmart shoppers are quick to note that Rael's are comfortable, absorbent, and easy to use. Some reviewers even say that they'd given up on tampons until trying Rael. "I have thrown out all other feminine products! These are the best ever! Nice and slim, nice grip, and love the knot in the string!" wrote one reviewer, who added that they have "forsaken all other [tampons]."

"I'm obsessed with these!" wrote another customer. "I've tried several organic tampons and these are by far my favorite! The shape is sleek and easy to insert, unlike some other brands, and call me crazy but I swear they just feel more comfortable and are super absorbent! I would definitely recommend giving them a go, and odds are you will never go back!" they raved.

TL;DR — If you're a fan of all organic everything (or are just curious about the hype around organic tampons), Rael's Organic Cotton Tampon is a great product to try out.