Women often prioritize choosing tampons that will best support their bodies when selecting a tampon, particularly if they’re concerned about toxic shock syndrome (TSS), an extremely dangerous condition which may cause fever, vomiting, rash and even hives.
But switching to organic tampons might not be as helpful as you’d imagine; TSS can still occur if your tampon stays in too long regardless of what kind you use.
What is Hormone Free Tampons?
Organic food must meet specific standards to earn the USDA Organic seal; however, the term organic may also apply to other products–including tampons. But don’t assume that “organic” tampons are safer than regular ones!
Research has demonstrated that dioxin, an byproduct of bleaching wood pulp to make rayon, can cause cancer and disrupt hormones in some women. Most tampons contain both cotton and rayon for maximum protection; regular ones may contain parabens and pesticides as additional endocrine disruptors.
No evidence exists to demonstrate that all-cotton tampons are less likely to lead to TSS, the rare but potentially life-threatening illness linked to their use. TSS usually occurs when too long is spent wearing them or when someone inserts them incorrectly (causing microscopic cuts in vaginal walls).
How do Hormone Free Tampons Work?
After an outbreak of toxic shock syndrome (TSS) in 1980, scientists linked highly absorbent tampons with this fatal infection. Since then, TSS cases have steadily been declining.
Organic tampons do not contain carcinogenic dioxin, linked with reproductive issues and even cancer. Regular tampons often contain chemical additives like this as well as hormone disrupting agents such as BPA or fragrances – while regular ones contain chemicals including dioxin.
Another worry regarding menstrual products is contamination with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). These toxic chemicals have been linked to hormonal disruption, fertility issues, low birth weight in newborn babies, as well as weight issues in general. A recent study discovered tampons from four unnamed brands had detectable PFAS levels despite being made from cotton material; its authors encouraged women to read product labels when purchasing tampons made with all-cotton content for more informed decisions; those certified as Made Safe require manufacturers to list all ingredients clearly for safe purchasing decisions and can help women stay away from PFAS contamination altogether.
Why Should I Use Hormone Free Tampons?
Though tampon choices might not garner as much conversation as beauty products, tampons remain essential components of women’s health and should be handled accordingly. You likely know the basic rules for using a tampon–change it every 4-8 hours, select one with low absorbency for your flow rate, and regularly wash hands–but have you considered its construction materials?
Regular tampons are typically composed of cotton or cotton/rayon blends. Rayon, which comes from wood pulp, can produce dioxins; however, most of this dioxin has been eliminated through bleaching processes that reduce it to trace levels in today’s tampons.
Additionally, conventional tampons contain harmful pesticides, like glyphosate from Roundup or other popular weed killers, that has been shown to have detrimental health effects on human beings. Although these findings are worrying, it’s worth remembering that much of this glyphosate comes from cotton used for production of the product itself and not from manufacturing processes or even its packaging materials.
What Should I Look for in Hormone Free Tampons?
Tampon labels typically list their key ingredients: rayon or cotton core, an outer plastic layer such as polyethylene or polypropylene plastic and cardboard applicators. But manufacturers can add anything extra. Advocacy groups like Women’s Voices for the Earth test feminine care products for contaminants. Their research revealed that non-organic cotton tampons contain trace amounts of herbicide glyphosate which has been suspected as carcinogenic; also possible are chemicals like phthalates and bisphenols which could disrupt hormone levels when applied at high doses tampons may contain chemicals which disrupt hormone functions within bodies.
When selecting tampons, opt for those certified organic or free from synthetic materials like fragrance or dyes which could irritate your skin. Keep in mind, however, that even organic and regular tampons contain heavy metals which may increase your risk for TSS, an illness in which bacteria that live safely on fingers enters bloodstream through micro abrasions caused by inserting and removing the tampons.
