chemicals in tampons make you bleed more

2021/05/21

womensvoices@womensvoices.org. We have come to expect disclosure of ingredients in foods, cosmetics, and drugs because of the direct interaction of these products with our bodies. More:'Menstrual equality': House passes measure allowing women to buy tampons, pads with health spending accounts. Dioxins have also been linked to hormonal imbalances, infertility and immunity problems. You can reduce your consumption of these single-use plastics by selecting products that do not contain plastic in the product and packaging, or by opting for a reusable option. wrote the woman who goes by "young hilary banks" on Twitter. LOLA has made great strides in educating menstruators about why we should care about what goes in our products and our bodies (not to mention, their social media game is on point). Not 6010! Tampons also may contain man-made ingredients like plastics. Denver, Colorado 80205, Phone: (406) 543-3747 Im a big fan of Tree Huggers reusable pads and will continue to purchase and use them. So, it was time for me to look into organic and reusable alternatives to tampons and pads. So, I decided to devote some thought to it. Think Twice About Using Tampons. The manufacturers of feminine hygiene products say that their products are safe and that dioxins are everywhere in the environment, including water, air, food, and clothing. Heres our process. "'Is organic better when it comes to using tampons?' If the bill passes, it would be the first such law to take effect in the nation. 100% Agree!! You may not reproduce, distribute, publicly display, modify or otherwise use these materials for any commercial purpose without prior permission from Nontoxic Certified. But a tweet claiming that organic pads and tampons shortened a young woman's periodby about three days and changed her flow ignited a debate over whether this was even possible. The problem is that SAPS are commonly comprised of sodium polyacrylate, a synthetic material that is not biodegradable. "Ladies please switch to organic and stop putting dangerous products full of cancer causing chemicals in your body!!!!!". Add that up with the estimated 45 billion menstrual products that end up in the trash every year, and it cant be good. If you own a business, consider joining, directly into the bloodstream without being metabolized, The estimated exposure doses of phthalates, parabens and bisphenols through the dermal absorption pathway from the use of pads, panty liners and tampons were significant. A new bill introduced by Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal (D/WF-Manhattan) requires disclosure of ingredients in menstrual products, including tampons, pads, menstrual cups and period underwear. Responses ranged from women confirming they saw their cycles shortened by switching to organic feminine hygiene products to those who criticized her for spewing false information. What makes exposure to toxic substances through period care so serious is that pads and tampons come into contact with some of the most sensitive and absorptive skin on womens bodies. "The fact is the tampon industry is regulated," she says. Whether the chemicals we detected are a result of contamination from rayon manufacturing, from added fragrance ingredients, or other unknown additives, we need to know to be able to avoid these chemicals of concern.. Interviews available. Having the organic label on a box of tampons means the cotton had to be grown, manufactured, and treated in a very specific way, including using non-GMO seeds, not using pesticides, and whitening with peroxide and not chlorine. I dont believe for one second theyre not intentionally putting chemicals in tampons to make us bleed more. S. Food and Drug Administration: Tampons and Asbestos, Dioxin, & Toxic Shock Syndrome. Tips for Choosing Better Period ProductsShop for MADE SAFE certified Period Care to ensure the product has been fully vetted for substances known or suspected to cause human and ecosystem harm. We avoid using tertiary references. All rights reserved. The cumulative effects would therefore be considerable and possibly measurable for many years. I wish Oprah were there. The FDA website reports that tampon manufacturers have provided the agency with results from studies conducted at independent laboratories, which concluded that the dioxin in the rayon raw materials range from undetectable 0.1 to 1 parts per trillion. Susie Slack is a freelance writer who loves crafting content for the Web. TSS is caused by an overgrowth of bacteria that occurs naturally in the body. document.getElementById( "ak_js" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Limited Offer! Heres Why, 2021s Best Period and Leak Proof Swimwear, CBD Oil for Menstrual Cramps (PMS)? When women started showing up in hospitals in 1980 with cases of TSS, the link was made between tampon use and this dangerous syndrome. [2] Women deserve to know if tampons have unnecessary risks, but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates the safety and effectiveness of tampons as a medical device, merely issued a statement claiming that the available scientific evidence does not support the rumors. However, not all of these options are made from entirely nontoxic materials. This is when the female body prepares itself for. But this brand seems to truly prevent any leakage for me.

Period panties should be made from cotton, preferably organic materials, but its important to know what is in the core. js.src = '//p2a.co/js/embed/widget/advocacywidget.min.js'; Lola, an organic subscription-based tampon and pad company, raised $24 million in funds and even has celebrities like Serena Williams and Lena Dunham investing. According to a researcher for the Womens Environmental Network, dioxins build up in our bodies over the years. The facts on tamponsand how to use them safely. WE ACT for Environmental Justice, Many young people will be using these products for decades and will therefore be exposed to potential risks over their reproductive lifetime. You may note the cost of these pads is a bit high. [6], Rana Hajjeh, M.D., a medical epidemiologist with CDCs division of bacterial and mycotic diseases, attributes the drop in TSS cases to the advances in the way FDA regulates tampon materials and absorbency. TSS causes a sudden drop in blood pressure that can lead to death. While there hasnt been research done into the effects of pesticide residue on tampon users, its common sense that we probably dont want these harsh chemicals inside our bodies. Conventional pads also commonly use SAPs (superabsorbent polymers), which are designed to hold enormous amounts of liquid. Opening up a box of Tree Hugger pads is a delight. In fact, tampons ordered from a specialty company had much more dioxin than the other tampons. It has been estimated that over the lifetime of one menstruating person, somewhere between 5 and 15,000 pads and tampons ultimately end up as landfill waste. Most are made of synthetic materials like rayon, which is sourced from trees, but highly processed so that the final product is far from being natural. Many period care products also use polyester, a plastic by another name. It's best to change. In fact, Dr. Sherry Ross, anOb/Gyn and author of "she-ology: The Definitive Guide to Womens Intimate Health. Menstrual Cup Dangers Are Menstrual Cups Safe to Use? For instance, I have one box of tampons (seven light, seven regular, four super) delivered every eight weeks. This results in shoppers being in the dark in regards to harmful chemicals that are in period products. Thankfully, there are safer choices out there. Previous testing of tampons and menstrual pads have found pesticide residue, parabens and phthalates linked to hormone disruption, antibacterial chemicals like triclosan, and various carcinogens including styrene and chloroform. To request permission, please, MADE SAFE is proud to be a part of the 1% for the Planet network, which connects businesses and nonprofits to protect the planet. (You can unsubscribe anytime), Susan Dudley, PhD, Salwa Nassar, Emily Hartman, and Sandy Wang, National Center for Health Research, Jobs, Fellowships, Internships & Volunteers, http://www.euromonitor.com/sanitary-protection-in-the-us/report, http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/AlertsandNotices/PatientAlerts/ucm070003.htm, http://www.ehponline.org/members/2002/110p23-28devito/EHP110p23PDF.PDF, http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/13/health/whats-in-your-pad-or-tampon/, https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/2379/text, Alzheimers, Dementia & Other Disabilities, Early Puberty & Problems in Sexual Development, Sanitary Protection in the US. (2011). Missoula, MT 59807, Visit us in Denver Synthetic materials also interfere with airflow, possibly contributing to the growth of yeast and bacteria in the vaginal area. raised $24 million in funds and even has celebrities like Serena Williams and Lena Dunham investing. I havent found any issue with odor. "Menstruationcan change naturally from month to month," he says. Women everywhere need these feminine care products and the last thing we would want is for them to be made with chemicals that have long been identified as extremely dangerous to our health. But hey, its just cotton, right? Period.,"says that she doesn't think organic tampons pads are generally any "safer"or even necessary.

[3], In 1994, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a report stating that dioxins are known to cause cancer in animals, and probably cause cancer in people. Consumers need to demand transparency because pads and tampons are regulated as medical devices, meaning theres no government requirement that ingredients and materials be disclosed. When I dont need more, LOLA makes it easy to skip my next shipment without canceling my subscription. Coupon Code: SAVE10MCR, Compare ALL menstrual cups Online and in Person.

(2017). They also offer sex products, and I can highly recommend their lube. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only.

The content on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice, which should be obtained from a medical professional. Dr. Daniel M. Breitkopf, an Ob/Gyn at the Mayo Clinic, doesn't think organic pads can alter the flow of a period or shorten a cycle, but therecould be an explanation for organic tampons doing so. These materials are often bleached with chlorine to give them that pristine white look. Run to the drugstore and buy whatever is on sale or whichever boxs color scheme speaks to me. cancer, endocrine disruption, and allergies, 20 billion period products (pads, tampons and applicators) are sent to landfill annually, plastics, nanomaterials or PFAS chemicals, 6 Tips from MADE SAFE for Plastic-Free Living, Exposed: A TEDx Talk with MADE SAFE Founder Amy Ziff, Unbleached or bleached without the use of chlorine bleach, Forgo the applicator or use a biodegradable paper applicator when necessary, Made without ANY plastics or plasticizers, Full disclosure of all materials used in the products, Avoid panties labeled as antimicrobial or antibacterial as this likely indicates the use of nanomaterials or other chemical treatments like. Dioxins and their effects on human health. You still need to change organic tampons every eight hours and use the appropriate size for your flow (i.e., dont use a super when a regular will do). It turns out that most conventional pads and tampons are made with synthetic materials and toxic substances. The Problem

[4], The FDA says that the exposure to dioxin from tampons today is many times less than normally present in the body from other environmental sources.3 However, according to Dr. Philip Tierno, director of clinical microbiology and diagnostic immunology at the New York University Medical Center and a leading expert on the health risks of tampons, even trace amounts of dioxin are cause for concern because tampons come in contact with vaginal tissue, which is covered in permeable, mucous membranes leading directly to the reproductive organs. It is manufactured from and likely contaminated with acrylic acid, which is associated with numerous adverse health endpoints. regular, super, etc.) But I do recommend exploring your options for alternatives. In the 23 years Ive been a bleeder, Ive tried and tested a lot of products and brands. Astoria, Bayport, Brooklyn, Cleveland, Cortland, Dunkirk, Farmingdale, Guilderland, Lake Grove, Montclair, New York, Niverville, Pelham, Rochester, Whitesboro. }(document, 'script', 'advocacy-actionwidget-code')); Womens Voices for the Earth You can avoid dioxins by using organic tampons that are bleached with hydrogen. Instead, where disclosure exists, only basic components of tampons are listed, often using vague language such as may contain:.. and rayon and/or cotton. Understand its causes, symptoms, and treatment. Has anyone noticed a shorter bleeding time since using the cup? Read our Ultimate Guide to Period Products. Hey Ive got a bit of a question that needs debunking. Manufacturers started to distribute warnings and to recommend that tampons are changed every four to eight hours and never left in longer than eight. If youve ever looked at the ingredient label on a conventional pad or tampon box, you might find it lacking details about whats inside. On top of trying organic tampons, I was interested in reusable pads. Peberdy E. et. When she's not writing, you can find her taking care of her 12 pets (all in one fishtank). [3], A study by Michel DeVito and Arnold Schecter, published in Environmental Health Perspectives in 2002, concluded that exposure to dioxin in tampons (and diapers) is thousands of times less than the dioxin people typically consume in the food they eat. Moreover, because tampon manufacturers are subject to FDA inspection, the agency assures women that these inspections would likely identify any procedures that would expose tampon products to asbestos.[3], Starting in 2008, U.S. Representative Carolyn Maloney of New York introduced legislation to require studies of tampon safety. New Tampon Testing Confirms Need for Ingredient Disclosure!

"Organic tampons and pads shortened my periods from 7-8 days to 4 days!!!!!" Consider this fact: Doctors are increasingly administering hormone treatments vaginally because the drug can be transferred directly into the bloodstream without being metabolized the way it would if taken orally. 6.5.2018 NEW YORK National womens health nonprofit, Womens Voices for the Earth (WVE), has released independent product-testing results that reveal undisclosed toxic chemicals in tampons. 2022 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. The FDA recommends women use tampons only during active menstruation and use ones with the minimum absorbency necessary to control their menstrual flow. Big-brand tampons are safe to use, but if the thought of ingredients like dioxins (a known carcinogenic) make you think twice, go organic for your own peace of mind. Ingredients: 100 percent organic cotton (GOTS certified), BPA-free plastic applicator. Director of Environmental Health Get 10% OFF your order. According to physician and author Dr. Joseph Mercola, chemicals in plastics, like BPA and BPS, have been connected to the development of heart disease and cancer. Ancient Egyptians used papyrus to make them; Greeks used pieces of wood. Procter & Gamble, whichowns Always and Tampax,just acquired This is L, another organic feminine hygiene brand, in February. Collectively, its estimated that more than 20 billion period products (pads, tampons and applicators) are sent to landfill annually, contributing to the single-use plastic pollution problem. Yes, some pads and tampons are made with cotton but it tends to be conventional cotton, which is grown with toxic pesticides, as opposed to organic cotton. The disease, which was first described among teenage girls in 1978, primarily strikes tampon users under the age of 30. Everyone deserves to live in a healthy and safe environment. Using menstrual cups will also keep you away from potentially dangerous dioxin exposure. if (d.getElementById(id)) return; The EPA also has determined that people exposed to high levels of dioxins may be at risk for a damaged immune system, increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and reduced fertility. [4], While the dioxin hazard has been reduced becauseof new bleaching methods, dioxin is still detected in tampons even those made of 100% cotton. Internal Support Retrieved from. Carbon disulfide is a chemical that is predominantly used in the manufacture of rayon; it was not detected in the all-cotton tampons that were tested. However, this isnt true, and the FDA has responded directly by saying that they have zero evidence of asbestos in tampons and no reports showing increased menstrual bleeding with tampon use. Why was I putting so little thought in the products I interact with intimately and which contribute to so much waste globally? There was a rumor going around that tampons contained trace amounts of asbestos, and that tampon manufacturers put it there for a very shady reason: to make users bleed more and need to buy more tampons. Maybe youve wondered whats actually in there. 1031 33rd Street According to experts, organic feminine hygiene products don't have any effect on a woman's menstrual cycle. The modern tampon with applicator came about in the 1930s, and then after undergoing testing and development in the 1970s, was nationally marketed in the United States in 1979. If you wear a tampon for too long, it can provide the perfect breeding ground for this bacteria. Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter, These new results highlight the need for disclosure of ingredients in menstrual care products. What It Is and How It Works, Enter Our Forums (Questions & Answers) . WVEs menstrual products work was launched in 2013 with the report, Chem Fatale, and has helped elevate the topic of period health into the public mainstream. Jamie McConnell, jamiem@womensvoices.org, (406) 543-3747, office You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. The Period RevolutionPeople in search of more mindful menstrual products finally have more options for both disposable and reusable options. Ingredients: cotton, bamboo, and minky fabric options, Cost: $55 for sample kit (one of each size), $200 for All You Need kit. Its possible that there are plastics, nanomaterials or PFAS chemicals in the mix which should be avoided. While it may look like cotton, it turns out that most conventional pads and tampons arent actually made entirely with cotton. She believes that media and internet hype over organic products have influenced our perspective on traditionally manufactured tampons and pads. Most of us grew up thinking that disposable pads and tampons were our only options. One study found endocrine-active compounds in period care and concluded that, The estimated exposure doses of phthalates, parabens and bisphenols through the dermal absorption pathway from the use of pads, panty liners and tampons were significant. This is a serious route of exposure for women using pads and tampons for several days at a time on a monthly basis for decades. In 1982, the FDA required that all tampon labels advise women to use the lowest absorbency needed to control their flow and include TSS warning signs. The email message claims that manufacturers add asbestos to tampons to promote excessive bleeding in order to sell more of their product. WVE envisions a world free from the impacts of toxic chemicals, one where our planet and communities are thriving, one where our gender, race, sexuality, zip code, income level or job does not determine our health outcomes. However, highly absorbent viscose rayon, the fourth synthetic ingredient, is still used. 'Menstrual equality': House passes measure allowing women to buy tampons, pads with health spending accounts, Women get their periods every month and it's incredibly expensive, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Alexandra Scranton, alexs@womensvoices.org, (406) 543-3747, office. As noted above, there is no scientific evidence that these products are safer. If you own a business, consider joining 1% for the Planet, naming MADE SAFE as your beneficiary. The skin inside of the vagina is very absorbent and permeable, yet manufacturers arent required to reveal what the tampons theyre selling us actually contain. Whats in your pad or tampon? (If you reside outside of the U.S., please simply enter 00000 for zip code), ph:(406) 543-3747 | womensvoices@womensvoices.org | 2022 All rights reserved |. Tampons are used by up to 85 percent of menstruating women in the U.S. The Mayo Clinic doctor also cited recall bias to explain why some women seemed to think organic products made their cycles shorter. Find two light-day tampons and an empty box of liners.

Tampons are awesome they let you hang out on the beach wearing a tiny white swimsuit, happily playing volleyball with your friends. Vaginal douching and racial/ethnic disparities in phthalates exposures among reproductive-aged women: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 20012004. Toxic Chemicals in Pads and Tampons The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) offers relatively little regulation of menstrual products.

More:Women get their periods every month and it's incredibly expensive. ABOUT Womens Voices for the Earth (WVE) The EPA states that, due to decades of pollution, dioxin can be found in the air, water, and ground; thus, small amounts of dioxin may be present in the cotton or wood pulp raw materials used to make tampons. In this world, every point in the cycle of production and consumption from extraction, to processing, to use, to disposal contributes not just to a less toxic world, but to a thriving world. The fabrics they use are soft and adorable. He adds that it doesn't mean there aren't any, but it hasn't come up yet or been identified. Whether you want to avoid suspect ingredients, support sustainable farming, make environment-friendly choices, or simply like the idea of having tampons mailed directly to you, theres likely a brand and option thats the right fit for you. These symptoms require prompt medical attention. Let's be real, no one enjoys having periods. (Methylene chloride, commonly found in paint strippers, has made headlines recently for its link to over 50 deaths since 1980). The barriers standing in the way need to be broken. As a result, a full list of ingredients used in these products are rarely disclosed publicly. They also encourage women to speak with their doctor about TSS.[3]. The cotton in non-organic cotton most likely contains residue from pesticides and fungicides used on the cotton crop as its growing. Dash back home, stash some tampons in my cabinet and purses (which inevitably get lost in the abyss), and the ritual repeats itself two to three months later. Menstrual cycles arent new of course, and neither are tampons. De Vito, MJ and Schecter A. So if there's anything out there that can make them lighter, shorter, less painful or practically nonexistent, we're all for it.

One of my pads has unicorns on it and says, Fluffy pillows for your vagina. When has a pad ever made you smile? I tried Tree Hugger, but GladRags are another popular, comparable brand. It is unthinkable and unforgivable, there has to be a greater sense of responsibility for human life., Andrea Jurez Periods arent gross or shameful.

2005-2022 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. All articles on our website have been approved by Dr. Diana Zuckerman and other senior staff. Founded in 1995, Womens Voices for the Earth is a national environmental health organization that works to amplify womens voices to eliminate toxic chemicals that harm our health and communities. Im someone who needs to wear a liner with my tampons because my period doesnt play by the rules. That environment includes where you live, work, play, and pray.We reject and actively push back against racist rhetoric, actions, policies and institutional oppression that leads to state-sanctioned brutality, gun violence, and harmthat again and again assaults communities, particularly communities of color.We are committed to working for justice and equity, and are in solidarity with social, racial, and environmental justice organizations to build community, understanding and honest dialogue to address the root causes of violence, harm and hate.

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