Toilet paper seems to be the most important element of bathroom hygiene. But actually, in many Asian countries, people don’t even have it in their toilets. When it comes to toilet paper, most of us want the softest, best smelling roll possible, but we probably don’t even think about how it might not be the healthiest way to stay clean.
We decided to find out why using toilet paper might not be the best option for your health.
It Might Irritate Your Private Parts
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It is always important to read labels when purchasing a particular product, and although toilet paper is a hygiene product, companies refuse to list all ingredients, claiming “trade secret rights.”
However, a dangerous chemical called formaldehyde is often used in toilet paper to make it stronger and softer. Formaldehyde can be very irritating to private parts and can also make the eyes, skin, and throat more sensitive.
It May Trigger Allergies
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Scented toilet paper certainly smells good and can be a nice addition to your bathroom, but these alluring scents can really cause allergies.
To make toilet paper smell like a spring garden, companies often use artificial fragrances that can alter the healthy pH of your private parts and even cause yeast infections.
It Might Affect Your Reproductive Health
Buying recycled toilet paper may seem like a conscious choice, but it usually contains a powerful endocrine disruptor called bisphenol A, or BPA. BPA is chemically similar to the hormone estrogen, which is crucial for fertility and the functioning of the uterus.
By mimicking estrogen, BPA can cause reproductive problems. In fact, avoiding BPA is one of the first things medical experts recommend to women who want to start a family.
It Might Not Be Doing The Job
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While toilet paper should give you a clean feeling, it may not be the most effective way to clean your private parts. In addition to causing irritation, cleaning with toilet paper carries the risk of spreading germs and feces to your hands and nails.
Using a bidet, for example, maybe the best way to stay clean, and since it only uses water, it’s gentler on the skin, too.
Have you considered using alternatives to toilet paper?