Sadly have had to use for too many decades!
but looking back was totally unaware....
1 - Most shop-bought brands are full of "stuff"
Pesticides, perfumes, toxins and dioxins - you name it, in so many pads and tampons. I have only switched to organic cotton tampons in last 18 mths....
2 - There are few quality standards in period-care manufacturing.
Period products are classed as consumer, not medical, products, meaning there are no legal requirements around cleanliness and sterilisation in the UK. Even condoms and hair dryers have higher manufacturing standards!
3 - Tampon shedding is a real thing
Many high-street period brands use synthetic fibres like rayon to make their products. These fibres can slide apart easily and make products like tampons shed inside the vagina. Read this if you're not squeamish.
I am sadly old enough to recall Dr Whites sanitary belts and looped pads. Thankfully no longer a thing. Period products have come so far, with Period Pants, Reusable pads, Reusable tampon applicators, and thin pads, even with wings! - but still so many issues - plastic content, and damaging raw materials.
Had email from Callaly with link to a great article about period products, .. a must read item ! (it has USA terms, but shows differences of products) ..I was so blinkered for so many years
www.madesafe.org/the-ultimate-guide-to-period-products/