What is in a tampon?

A woman uses over 16,000 tampons in her lifetime. Tampons come into direct contact with the vagina and as the skin there is very thin, any chemicals tampons contain will be absorbed straight into the bloodstream. There are a huge number of reports on the possibility that tampons contain toxic chemicals, but as tampons are classed as ‘medical devices’, manufacturers do not need to state what they contain.

Why would manufacturers put chemicals in tampons? As part of the manufacturing process, chemicals will be used to treat the material of the tampon to make them absorbent and soft for easy application, give them their white colour and be able to neutralise smells.

Andrea Donsky, founder of Naturally Savvy and co-author of Label Lessons: Your Guide to a Healthy Shopping Cart says that tampons contain pesticides, those with odour neutralizers and fragrances will contain a whole host of chemicals and those made in the USA will contain genetically modified organisms.

In this Facebook post it says that 85% of tampons tested positively for glyphosate which is a herbicide linked with cancer. They are making a move for us to know what chemicals are in a tampon.

The FDA article only talks about rumours that tampons contain asbestos and dioxins.

And using tampons can result in toxic shock syndrome.

How are tampons tested to make sure they are safe?   Have any companies tested the long term effects of using tampons?

Using organic tampons will definitely be safer but they are expensive. If you want to use an alternative – think about the mooncup.

Read More:

• http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/AlertsandNotices/PatientAlerts/ucm070003.htm
• https://www.facebook.com/NowThisNews/videos/vb.341163402640457/933561083400683/?type=2&theater
• http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-mercola/feminine-hygiene-products_b_3359581.html
• http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2528510/Are-tampons-toxic-How-feminine-care-products-contain-undisclosed-ingredients-linked-allergic-rashes-asthma-cancer.html