When we decided to use organic cotton for Endo Diatribes products, it was not a marketing decision. It was a values decision — and it is directly connected to the community this brand was built for.
Endometriosis and Chemical Sensitivity
Research into endometriosis etiology — the causes and contributing factors — has increasingly focused on environmental exposures. Dioxins and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals have been studied as potential contributors to endometriosis development and progression. While the research is ongoing and causality is complex, there is enough evidence to take seriously the idea that what comes into contact with endometriosis-affected bodies matters.
Conventional cotton is one of the most pesticide-intensive crops in agriculture. The chemicals used in conventional cotton farming — as well as those used in dyeing and finishing processes — can leave residues in the final fabric. For people with conditions involving inflammation and chemical sensitivity, that is worth paying attention to.
Conventional cotton uses approximately 16% of the world's insecticides despite covering only 2.5% of cultivated land. Organic cotton, by contrast, prohibits synthetic pesticides and uses farming practices designed to protect soil health, water quality, and farmer safety.
What Our Certification Actually Means
We use Stanley/Stella organic cotton, which carries GOTS certification — the Global Organic Textile Standard. GOTS is not a label a brand applies to itself. It requires third-party verification across the entire supply chain, from raw fiber to finished product. It covers not just the cotton itself but the dyes, the finishing processes, and the labor practices of everyone involved in making the garment.
OEKO-TEX certification adds another layer — ensuring that the inks and threads used in printing and embroidery are free from harmful substances and tested against over a hundred toxic chemicals.
The Practical Reality
Organic cotton is more expensive. That cost is reflected in our pricing, and we think it is worth being transparent about that. We could make a cheaper product. We chose not to, because the people buying Endo Diatribes merch deserve products that reflect the same care for their bodies that this brand asks the medical system to have.
That felt like the only choice that made sense.
Shop with intention.
Every piece is organic, every purchase funds the Endo Access Fund. Advocacy that actually does something.
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