var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; 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. (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. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Run to the drugstore and buy whatever is on sale or whichever boxs color scheme speaks to me. The infection can result in shock and the failure of major organs. 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. Women have a basic right to know whether products they insert directly into their bodies contain carcinogens. 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. We include products we think are useful for our readers. 2005-2022 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. My period is lighter and shorter now since Ive switched to the cup! Understand its causes, symptoms, and treatment. President, New York Chapter 2 Without my legislation requiring package labeling, we leave millions of New Yorkers blindfolded in the aisles of drug stores and supermarkets as they consider what products to buy for themselves and their families.. When women started showing up in hospitals in 1980 with cases of TSS, the link was made between tampon use and this dangerous syndrome. Although tampons along with other everyday products contain trace amounts of contaminants, Ross saysthe risk of developing cancer is minimal and there is no scientific evidence to prove that it poses a threat to a woman's health. TSS is caused by an overgrowth of bacteria that occurs naturally in the body. Most of us grew up thinking that disposable pads and tampons were our only options. Not 6010! Its possible that there are plastics, nanomaterials or PFAS chemicals in the mix which should be avoided. If you wear a tampon for too long, it can provide the perfect breeding ground for this bacteria. Examples of the plastic found in period products are polyester fibers interwoven into the body of pads, leak-proof polypropylene that lines the back of pads, plastic tampon applicators, polyester blends in the body or strings of tampons, and coatings used to help smoothen tampon removal. All articles on our website have been approved by Dr. Diana Zuckerman and other senior staff. 2379), was also introduced by Rep. Carolyn Maloney and requires NIH to study thecontaminants and substances used, such as dioxin, synthetic fibers, fragrances, dyes, and preservatives in feminine hygiene products pose health risks to women who use the products or to the children of women who use the products during or before pregnancy.[6], Several alternatives are available to women, including all-cotton tampons and pads that are unbleached or are whitened with hydrogen peroxide and reusable menstrual cups. So even though there may only be tiny amounts present in tampons, they collect in our fatty tissues and can build up to dangerous levels.
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. You can keep up with her menstrual shenanigans, along with her co-hosts, on Instagram. 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. The testing results gives manufacturers a strong incentive to make products without harmful chemicals and provides further emphasis that we need to know more about these products and their impact on health. Want some help thinking through which nontoxic period solution is right for you? [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. Dioxins have also been linked to hormonal imbalances, infertility and immunity problems. Product disclosure is a first step in reducing possible harm. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I found theyre much less likely to cause chafing than regular pads. Rush to bathroom to see if I have anything left to use.
On top of all that, the cotton or rayon is bleached to achieve its pure white color. Bleaching creates toxic compounds called dioxins. More importantly, phasing out harmful and unnecessary chemicals in consumer products will have a lasting effect on both the health of New Yorkers and the environment., Caitlin Ferrante, Well go over why this isnt as serious as it sounds and tell you how to safely remove it yourself at home. It is the responsibility of manufacturers, and even more so our government, to protect the health of its citizens., Lubna Ahmed Up until the late 1990s, bleaching the wood pulp resulted in traces of dioxin in tampons, but that method has been replaced with a chlorine-free bleaching process. This testing is just one snapshot that shows us that there is more to these products than is currently being disclosed, said Alexandra Scranton, WVEs Director of Science and Research. What It Is and How It Works, Enter Our Forums (Questions & Answers) . Why was I putting so little thought in the products I interact with intimately and which contribute to so much waste globally?
A widely circulated rumor on the Internet alleges that tampons are contaminated with asbestos and dioxin, and that the rayon in some tampons causes toxic shock syndrome. 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..
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. wrote the woman who goes by "young hilary banks" on Twitter. 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. More:'Menstrual equality': House passes measure allowing women to buy tampons, pads with health spending accounts. 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. Though there are things I like about the subscription tampons I received (like not having to buy them from a 17-year-old boy behind the register of a Walgreens), I think Ill end my subscription with LOLA since they dont seem to be the right fit for my flow. All rights reserved. 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. 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. if (d.getElementById(id)) return; The disease, which was first described among teenage girls in 1978, primarily strikes tampon users under the age of 30. There is something deeply amiss when chemicals are deemed too unsafe for paint stripper, but just fine for women to use in their tampons. Im a big fan of Tree Huggers reusable pads and will continue to purchase and use them. The barriers standing in the way need to be broken. U.S. women spend about $3 billion/year on sanitary protection. In fact, Dr. Sherry Ross, anOb/Gyn and author of "she-ology: The Definitive Guide to Womens Intimate Health. And above everything else, theyre effective and comfortable. (2015). Think Twice About Using Tampons. Everyone deserves to live in a healthy and safe environment. 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. The cotton in non-organic cotton most likely contains residue from pesticides and fungicides used on the cotton crop as its growing.
Has anyone noticed a shorter bleeding time since using the cup?
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. Read our Ultimate Guide to Period Products. According to experts, organic feminine hygiene products don't have any effect on a woman's menstrual cycle. Health First: A Cleaning Products Industry Roadmap for Selecting Safer Chemicals, Beyond the Label: Health Impacts of Harmful Ingredients in Cleaning Products, The Long-Term Game of Bettering Menstrual Pain, Introducing WVEs New Plan for a Thriving Future, Green certifiers can do a better job at protecting kids from toxic PFAS in everyday products, US NGO explores impacts of New York menstrual products disclosure law, California Could Soon Require Free Menstrual Products In Public Schools, Salon workers, environmental groups petition FDA to ban formaldehyde in hair products, treatments. 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. Media inquiries?
We are encouraged and inspired by women in New York and across the nation who are demanding their right to know, said Rosenthal. LOLA: light, regular, super, and super+ tampons, Tree Hugger Cloth Pads: liners, light, heavy, and postpartum pads, who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dioxins-and-their-effects-on-human-health, global-standard.org/the-standard/general-description.html, fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/facts-tampons-and-how-use-them-safely, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3238331/, Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI, Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, complete transparency with product ingredients, requires commitment; not easy to try just a couple tampons to see if you like them first, personally found them to be not as absorbent as other brands, easy to customize and edit subscription service, though Targets are everywhere, having this brand in drug and corner stores would be a game changer, widely available since Targets are everywhere, initial cost can be prohibitive (one heavy flow pad is $16.50), come in many types of fabrics and patterns. You may not reproduce, distribute, publicly display, modify or otherwise use these materials for any commercial purpose without prior permission from Nontoxic Certified. Millions use menstrual products on a monthly basis. When she's not writing, you can find her taking care of her 12 pets (all in one fishtank). All of these things are contributing factors to the plastic pollution problem. (A 2019 study shows that awareness can influence people to choose products that are better for the environment.) (2018). Rely and toxic shock syndrome: A technological health crisis. Ancient Egyptians used papyrus to make them; Greeks used pieces of wood.
New Yorkers Gather to Support Their Right to Know, End Hidden and A Detox the Box Party Kit includes fact sheets on harmful chemicals found in some menstrual products, a discussion guide, spoof videos that call-out harmful body-shaming marketing, and actions to take to ensure menstrual products are universally safe and accessible. Period panties should be made from cotton, preferably organic materials, but its important to know what is in the core. De Vito, MJ and Schecter A. Add that up with the estimated 45 billion menstrual products that end up in the trash every year, and it cant be good. raised $24 million in funds and even has celebrities like Serena Williams and Lena Dunham investing. The use of any types of menstrual pads, however, can reduce the risk of TSS. You can get started with menstrual cups here. 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. Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a rare but serious condition caused by a bacterial infection. My usual menstrual product purchase ritual is thus: Are you thinking, So? The facts on tamponsand how to use them safely. If you own a business, consider joining 1% for the Planet, naming MADE SAFE as your beneficiary. [3], The asbestos allegedin the Internet rumor has never been confirmed. (2017). Similar to choosing organic vegetables, its an alternative and not necessarily better or safer for women.". Menstrual cups should be free from dyes and made of 100% medical grade silicone. However, highly absorbent viscose rayon, the fourth synthetic ingredient, is still used. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Retrieved from. from ALL brands . They use a button clasp to hold place in your underwear (though mine have been known to slide around a bit). 100% Agree!! When administered vaginally the levels of the drug in the body can be 10-80 times higher than when administered orally. Peberdy E. et. I have not switched over as I need to change my super absorbent pad and super ++ tampon every hour or so when I start bleeding right up to my half way mark. Menstrual Cups and Internal Birth Control, Truth About Tampons? New technology may eliminate SAPs by utilizing materials manufactured in nanoscale, which some scientists have concerns about.
Menstrual products are essential purchases for women, and we cannot be health conscious consumers if we dont know the chemical content of these products and the effects they have on our health. "Stress affects menses and thats probably the biggest thing from a month-to-month or year-to-year basis, but menses also changes closer to menopause.". Using menstrual cups will also keep you away from potentially dangerous dioxin exposure. 2022 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. We should expect, and deserve, no less from menstrual products, said Jamie McConnell, Director of Programs and Policy at WVE. The most recent version of the bill, now called the Robin DanielsonFeminine Hygiene Product Safety Act of 2017 (H.R. Thankfully, there are safer choices out there. [3], Dioxin is the byproduct of the process from converting wood pulp into a synthetic fiber called Rayon, which is also used for fabric. Let's be real, no one enjoys having periods. The fabrics they use are soft and adorable. Get 10% OFF your order.
"Organic tampons and pads shortened my periods from 7-8 days to 4 days!!!!!" We'll break down what your options are and how to make a choice. Denver, Colorado 80205, Phone: (406) 543-3747 Wearing a tampon for too long puts you at risk for toxic shock syndrome, a potentially fatal infection. 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. LOLA is a subscription service that lets you customize what products you want and how often you want them. Im 34 now. Look for a company that has tested their products and is willing to disclose all materials used.
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. According to them super tampons can hold 10-12mL of liquid, so why is it when I switched to my cup I didnt even have 10mL in it after 12hrs?!? It does not adequately address womens questions and concerns, and relied on data that were submitted by tampon manufacturers that are not publicly available. You may note the cost of these pads is a bit high. Campaign for Healthier Solutions, This is an issue of environmental justice. [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. To read more about the FDAs recommendations, click here. (2015). The Mayo Clinic doctor also cited recall bias to explain why some women seemed to think organic products made their cycles shorter. In New York, this means passing important right to know laws like A.521A that require feminine care product ingredient disclosure., Kathleen A. Curtis, LPN Whats wrong with that?. 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. al. Well tell you, A menstrual period is vaginal bleeding that occurs at the end of the monthly menstrual cycle. Toxic Chemicals in Pads and Tampons We have come to expect disclosure of ingredients in foods, cosmetics, and drugs because of the direct interaction of these products with our bodies.