Here's Why I Finally Stopped Avoiding The Feminine Care Aisle

Like many women, I was raised to prioritize my physical, dental, and mental health. I was also raised to swing into the feminine care aisle on two shopping cart wheels, throw whatever I needed into the cart, and speed away as fast as humanly possible — a behavior that underscored my early attitude toward sexual health.

That topic wasn’t necessarily taboo or off-limits at home, it just wasn't something that was discussed outside of (very awkward) health class lessons, along with plenty of giggling and blushing. As you probably know for yourself, these kind of deep-seated avoidances manifest in adulthood in many ways. For me, it translated into adult me neglecting a core piece of my overall health — until a bad reaction to scented personal care products forced me to reframe a lifetime of thinking.

This was back when I'd just started my freshman year of college and stopped relying on my mom to pick up my feminine products as part of our family grocery store hauls. Now, there’s nobody who wants to stay away from all things feminine care more than an easily embarrassed college freshman in her campus’ drug store. So when it came time to re-stock on a supply of tampons, I remember quickly picking up a few random items I didn’t even need so I could use them to hide the pink box of tampons, then making the long walk to the register.

In my nervousness, I didn’t notice the words “Fresh, Floral Scent” written across the box, and even if I had, I wouldn’t have thought twice about it. It didn’t matter to me until using them made me feel really uncomfortable, really fast. One trip to urgent care and a couple of awkward conversations later, I learned that the scented tampons messed with my pH levels hardcore. Who knew?

Well, now I did, so I began looking at labels more closely. No scents, no problem, right? As it turns out, it's not always that simple. Earlier this year I came across an article that talked about tampons containing chemical additives, deodorants, chlorine, BPA plastic, and even herbicides and pesticides. Um, what? Before I knew it, I went down a rabbit hole of feminine hygiene education, studies, product reviews, and research, wondering all the while how I could have gone 35 years without this knowledge.

Newly armed with facts, I once again felt like my freshman self who was nervous to linger too long in the feminine care aisle. What if a sales associate asked me if I had questions? What if someone overheard me asking questions? What if I didn't actually find what I'm looking for?

To make the venture a bit easier, I decided to add a trip down this storied aisle during my next routine grocery shopping trip at Walmart. Determined, I confidently stepped into my least-favorite aisle to see what it had to offer, and guys — it was... kind of amazing?

Beyond the pink boxes of tampons (both scented and unscented — I checked), there were natural options galore. My first step was to make the quick switch to a 100% organic tampon option, because I’d rather not be injecting myself with pesticides every month. I went with LOLA because I’ve heard good things from friends about being high-quality, chemical-free, and hypoallergenic.

While browsing, I noticed there were also products I couldn’t have even imagined just five years ago when I was trying to get pregnant. Back then I relied on guesswork and hope to make it happen, but now there are next-level ovulation strips that tell you your two most fertile days a month and send results directly to your smartphone. I saw that the Modern Fertility brand also connects you with fertility experts if you have questions. (For what it's worth, I remember having a lot of questions.)

There are also early-results pregnancy tests with thoughtful, discreet packaging and tell you if you’re pregnant up to five days before your missed period. Last but not least, I found a unicorn “down there” wash I never knew I needed. I didn’t even know what it was at first because I’ve never used a feminine wash, and it looks like a cute little lotion bottle. But nope, it’s a separate, sensitive soap just for your vagina area, which I learned requires a different level of care than the rest of your body. This one had me at “plant-based” and “pH balanced for you,” and it’s been a part of my hygiene routine since I first picked it up a few months back.

My big takeaway? Do the reading. Do the research. Throw caution to the wind and browse that feminine care aisle. There are better options out there for a healthier you, and you’ll be surprised at what you find.

This post is sponsored by Walmart.