After the 1980 TSS scare, the FDA began mandating that tampons be free from certain chemicals; however, even organic or unbleached brands (treated with oxygen instead of elemental chlorine) may still contain some form of chemicals.
These chemicals pose valid concerns as tampons come into direct contact with vaginal tissue. With proper research, however, you can find the optimal choice for both your health and the environment.
Organic Cotton
Organic tampons offer several advantages over their conventional counterparts: instead of being comprised of cotton and rayon (a semi-synthetic fibre produced from wood pulp), organic ones are made entirely of 100% organic cotton without dyes, plastic components in their string and applicator and chemical fragrances.
Non-organic cotton production involves pesticide use that can contaminate drinking water and soil, endangering fish, birds, insects that inhabit these environments as well as us. Studies show that long-term exposure to these endocrine-disrupting chemicals may lead to mimicked or disrupted hormone systems within our bodies causing disruption and hormonal disruptions.
Organic tampons benefit from being grown without pesticides, making them less likely to contain dioxins – environmental pollutants produced when bleaching wood pulp for rayon with chlorine gas bleaching processes; but since most brands now switch to chlorine dioxide bleaching processes only trace amounts of dioxins can be found in their tampons.
No Pesticides
Tampons can act as a direct route of exposure to chemicals, with conventional tampons often containing trace amounts of pesticides, herbicides and mercury – while research indicates regular tampons could contain estrogen-disrupting BPA.
Organic tampons do not use pesticides or herbicides and do not contain chemical additives such as fragrances, dyes or chlorine bleach. Furthermore, they don’t contribute to global pollution by using plastic applicators that will only biodegrade at an extremely slow rate.
LOLA Natural Tampons are handcrafted from GOTS-certified organic cotton for your flow needs from light to super+, offering 360 leakproof technology and gynecologist-recommended absorbency. Their BPI compostable packaging ensures tax exemption for every order placed; in addition, LOLA supports an important Philadelphia nonprofit that reduces stigma surrounding periods and provides menstrual products more accessible for people experiencing period poverty.
No Dioxin
Dioxin, a byproduct of chlorine bleaching, has been linked with cancer and other health problems in animals. Although tampons do contain dioxin-like compounds, according to the FDA they’re 13,000-240,000 times lower than what people ingest daily and shouldn’t present any concerns.
Studies suggest that low levels of dioxin-like compounds and dioxin-related compounds may interfere with hormones and cause health problems including lower fertility and decreased sperm count. Advocacy groups have discovered that certain tampons and feminine hygiene products contain microplastics, polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), all linked to reproductive disorders, endocrine disruption and cancer.
Dr. Hack notes that using organic tampons can help minimize exposure to potentially hazardous chemicals, but what really counts is practicing safe use, such as keeping absorbency at or below what is necessary to prevent TSS. She advises reading packaging in order to gain information about production methods, ingredients such as synthetic fibers or dyes as well as company production methods and production processes.
No Titanium Dioxide
Titanium dioxide has long been the subject of much discussion and debate due to its use as an anti-blemish agent in cosmetics and food products, but recently, European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) banned it due to concerns that titanium dioxide nanoparticles might cause genotoxicity after ingestion.
Titanium dioxide may play an indirect role in cell oxidative damage. You can reduce this risk by choosing organic tampons containing non-nanoparticle titanium dioxide; additionally, make sure they come without plastic applicators for maximum effectiveness.
Choose organic cotton grown using practices that reduce water usage. Furthermore, your tampon should not contain herbicides like glyphosate that could leech into soil and water supplies and impact wildlife; however, there is no proof that organic tampons are healthier; both have equal health benefits with similar chemical levels contained within them unless using biodegradable applicators for application.
