Care2 Healthy Living/Jordyn Cormier: Most Tampons Are Toxic. Here’s What to Look Out For.

Care2 Healthy Living  
Most Tampons Are Toxic. Here's What to Look Out For.
61.5K
Most Tampons Are Toxic. Here’s What to Look Out For.
61.5K
tweet
2
0
email
10

    By: Jordyn Cormier
    April 29, 2018

    About Jordyn

The average woman uses 9,000 to 11,000 tampons in her lifetime–that’s a lot of tampons! And if you’re not careful, it’s also a lot of chemicals.

Why should we be so concerned about chemicals in our tampons? Because chemicals absorbed through the vagina do not undergo the same elimination and detoxification pathways as the things we eat. Instead, they go directly into your bloodstream, unimpeded.

While one box of tampons may not be toxic on its own, using chemically-laden tampons month after month, thousands of times over could be putting your reproductive health at real risk. Here are a few chemicals in tampons to be on the lookout for.

Using toxic tampons month after month could be putting your reproductive health at risk. Here are chemicals in tampons to look out for.
Toxic Chemicals in Tampons
Dioxin

Dioxin is a byproduct of converting wood pulp into synthetic rayon (a material which is used in many tampons). The World Health Organization classifies dioxin as a probable carcinogen. Some research has also linked dioxin exposure to endometriosis.
Love This? Never Miss Another Story.

While tampon manufacturers have practically eliminated this chemical byproduct from their processes, there are still very trace amounts of dioxin in tampons. And while the FDA requires tampon companies to monitor dioxin levels, this information is not public.

To be fair, there are dioxins all around us, thanks to years of industrial pollution of our air, water, and earth.

Studies have shown that we probably consume more dioxins in the foods we eat than in our tampons, but that still doesn’t mean that having any amount of dioxins down there is a good thing.

Dioxins are very dangerous chemicals and they accumulate in the body over time. While the amount of dioxin in one tampon may be negligible, can we say the same for 10,000?
Conventional Cotton

The lining of the vagina is actually highly permeable, meaning things you put in there can easily leach into your system. And while cotton may seem fairly innocuous, don’t be fooled.

Over 90 percent of US cotton has been genetically modified to be more Roundup resistant. This means that most cotton is sprayed with a lot more pesticides, like Monsanto’s Roundup.

Roundup, for those of you who don’t know, is another name for glyphosate, a known carcinogen. Conventional cotton contains traces of these dangerous chemical herbicides and is a GMO product, which is probably something you’d like to avoid in your tampons if you already try to avoid GMOs in your food.

If your cotton tampon is not organic, you are putting yourself at real risk for absorbing nasty pesticide and chemical residue through the highly permeable membrane of your vaginal canal.
Added Fragrance

Most mainstream tampons contain chemical odor neutralizers, dyes, and synthetic fragrances. But since tampons are regarded as a “medical device” companies are not required to disclose these ingredients to the consumer.

These chemicals may be harmful. In fact, recent research has shown that scented female product may increase a woman’s exposure to dangerous phthalates, known endocrine disruptors. These chemical scents also cause an imbalance in your vagina’s delicate pH, which can lead to infections. Flowery scented tampons simply aren’t worth the risk.
Finding Safer Tampons & Other Menstrual Products

If you use tampons, it is best to use unscented tampons made of 100 percent organic cotton to decrease your chemical load. There are plenty of subscription services out there (like my personal favorite, Lola) if you are unable to find clean tampon options near you.

Or, even more sustainable, try a reusable menstrual cup. However, women with an IUD should be cautious about the cup, as in rare cases the suction can dislodge the device.

Of course, period underwear or a pad may be the safest options when it comes to potential toxicity, so only use tampons/cups when it’s necessary.
Related on Care2

    And 2018′s Dirtiest Produce Award Goes To…
    Here’s What Happens to a Plastic Bag After You Throw It Away
    8 Easiest Hacks to Reduce Your Plastic Consumption

Images via Thinkstock.
GREAT STORY, RIGHT?
Share it with your friends
61.5K
tweet
2
0
email
CONNECT WITH US

    Facebook 1.1 million followers
    Twitter 560,000 followers
    Pinterest 30,000 followers
    Email Newsletter

EMAIL THE EDITORS

You Might Also Like

    After Reading This, You May Never Eat Avocados Again After Reading This, You May Never Eat Avocados Again
    For Sexual Health, Does Pubic Hair Matter? For Sexual Health, Does Pubic Hair Matter?

    National Geographic Cancels “The Dog Whisperer” National Geographic Cancels “The Dog Whisperer”
    What is Sciatica? What is Sciatica?

Recommended by
10 comments
Heather B
Heather B9 minutes ago

women's products get the same lack of care and attention as women's health care.
SEND
Danuta W
Danuta Wabout an hour ago

Thank you for posting.
SEND
Jeramie D
Jeramie D2 hours ago

Thank you
SEND
Sherry K
Sherry K3 hours ago

Noted
SEND
No W
No W6 hours ago

thank you for posting
SEND
Danii P
Danii P7 hours ago

ty
SEND
Greta L
Greta L8 hours ago

Good to know. Thanks.
SEND
Chad Anderson
Chad Anderson13 hours ago

Thank you. I am faculty advisor to the campus English magazine, which recently covered the controversy over this issue in Korea.
SEND
Ellie M
Ellie M13 hours ago

ty
SEND
Sue H
Sue H14 hours ago

Helpful information, thanks.
SEND
TOP STORIES

    1
    The Surprising Habit that Raises Your Blood Pressure and Causes Cancer
    2
    Trouble Sleeping in a New Place? This Might Be Why
    3
    How Quantum Physics Bridges Science and Spirituality
    4
    16 Prebiotic Foods to Eat Now
    5
    9 Magnesium-Rich Foods to Ease Anxiety

ads keep care2 free
learn more ▸
ads keep care2 free
learn more ▸
COMMUNITY SUCCESS!
Success! Bill Cosby Found Guilty of Sexual Assault

In a major victory for this Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Bill Cosby has finally been...
more
61.5K
tweet
2
0
"The best way to predict the future is to create it!"
- Dennis Gabor
Start A Petition

    Home
    Start a Petition
    Sign Petitions
    Petition Successes

    Care2 Causes
    Healthy Living
    Petition Help

Trending Petition Topics

    Animal Rights
    Children's Rights
    Civil Rights
    Corporate Accountability
    Education

    Environment
    Health
    Human Rights
    International Development
    LGBTQ Rights

    Media, Arts, Culture
    Politics
    Reproductive Rights
    Wildlife
    Women's Rights

Our Promise: Welcome to Care2, the world's largest community for good. Here, you'll find over 45 million like-minded people working towards progress, kindness, and lasting impact.

Care2 Stands Against: bigots, bullies, science deniers, misogynists, gun lobbyists, xenophobes, the willfully ignorant, animal abusers, frackers, and other mean people. If you find yourself aligning with any of those folks, you can move along, nothing to see here.

Care2 Stands With: humanitarians, animal lovers, feminists, rabble-rousers, nature-buffs, creatives, the naturally curious, and people who really love to do the right thing.
You are our people. You Care. We Care2.

    HomeAbout UsPartnershipsMedia InquiryPrivacy PolicyTerms of ServiceContact UsHelp

Copyright © 2018 Care2.com, inc. and its licensors.All rights reserved
site feedback
site feedback

    log in / Join

    Start A Petition
    Sign Petition
    CARE2 Home
    healthy living
        Food +Recipes
        Health
        Love + Sex
        Green
        News
        Crafts
        Ecards
        Brands forGood
        Nature
        Pets
        Spirit
        Home
        Life
        Family
        Beauty
    causes & news
    Success Stories
    butterfly rewards

New to Care2? Start Here.

    About Us
    Care2 Team Blog