Both traditional pads and tampons, the ones you would commonly find on supermarket and drug store shelves, contain added chemicals. This process results in the formation of dioxins which has been linked to breast cancer, endometriosis, and immune system suppression. No company wants to put out a product that’s going to endanger women,” said C. Tucker Helmes, executive director of the … The sponge can be trimmed to the ideal size and shape by cutting along its perimeter with scissors. The idea of the pad is a pretty simple one, however the absorbent power of our current pads is such that they can absorb an awful lot more than you think! Tampons are a convenient option for many women. Dollar Tree is under fire for stocking “potentially unsafe drugs” and cosmetics. By Tess Francke. This is a mild concern with other forms of sanitation and flow-control, but tampons tend to have the largest problem with odor. Menstrual sponges will come with instructions containing details of cleaning the sponge for the first time before its use, soaking it and checking it for “hard surfaces” which should be removed before using it for the first time. "The FDA regulates both the safety and effectiveness of tampons," says Dr. Hakakha, "and despite recent claims in the media that tampons leach chemicals such as asbestos and dioxin, to date there are no studies indicating tampons are contaminated with either chemical. Over 30 percent of some dollar store products tested had higher levels than are recommended in products used for children. Nearly 85 percent of menstruating women in the United States use tampons. Is Toxic Shock Syndrome Really a Threat for Tampon Users? Published July 2005. Menstrual blood collects in the cup, and you empty it out every 10 to 12 hours. Jacquemond I, Muggeo A, Lamblin G, et al. Pads are also safe for overnight use, as there is no risk of TSS if used for longer than 8 hours, making them a great choice for protection while you sleep. These products are all washable and reusable, meaning they will save you dollar, while helping to save the environment. Along those same lines, don’t buy the biggest, most absorbent one you can find so you can leave it in longer. Complex ecological interactions of Staphylococcus aureus in tampons during menstruation. Very similar in concept to a menstrual cup, a soft cup could be described as diaphragm-like: it involves a piece of cellophane-like plastic stretched across a flexible plastic loop. At the end of the day, it’s up to you whether to start or continue using them. Menstrual sponges are exactly what they sound like. Not only do reusable menstrual products help save the environment, they also help you save money. But arming yourself with the facts about their side effects will help you to make an informed choice. I feel like I've been very misinformed about tampons in the past so I have a lot of hang ups about them even though I prefer them. While TSS is extremely rare, it has received constant attention in many women’s publications and cases of tampon-induced toxic shock often reach national headlines. Tampons found in: Tampax(R) Pocket Radiant Tampons, 3-ct. These companies believe that women shouldn’t be exposed to pesticide residues, phthalates, ado-dyes and dioxins, especially in such a sensitive and absorptive part of the body. While you can easily score cheap party decorations and glass bowls at the dollar store, it can be tough to know what is and isn’t a good deal when it … We’ve provided you with 8 alternatives to tampons, each with different effects on the environmental, health, and comfort. Made from real sponges (sea sponges harvested from the ocean) they can be washed and reused for up to 6 months. Tampons are a convenient option for many women. However, they can invade the body's bloodstream, causing a life-threatening infection. Feels hygienic. Tampons are easy to use, convenient, and effective. If your flow is very heavy then wear a pad just to be on the safe side. The soft cup will catch the period blood and hopefully prevent leaks for a longer duration of time than your average tampon. Follow basic hygiene rules - wash your hands (duh; it’s blood), and don’t leave it in too long. When storing tampons, place them in a cool, dry location. There is a possibility that inserting an object into the vagina whist menstruating can increase the frequency and intensity of uterine contractions and increased cramping. ), they are not independently safety tested, companies knowingly risk women's health, they are self-regulated, and the … There have been claims that that asbestos is used in tampons to increase manufacturers' profits, causing excessive bleeding. Once removed, soft cups can be thrown away like you would do with other disposable sanitary products. TSS is an infection that can occur when you wear a tampon for too long[2] (which is why there are warnings all over the packaging for you to never wear one more than 8 hours). What’s in a tampon? Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Tampons allow this substance to coagulate, similarly to how old sweat smells worse and produces an unpleasant odor. They tend not to cause an odor, don't show under tight clothes, and are practical when swimming or participating in other sports. Tampons have recently been outed for being made with chemicals that have been linked to many health risks[1]. doi:10.1503/cmaj.161479. Tracee Cornforth is a freelance writer who covers menstruation, menstrual disorders, and other women's health issues. For many women who choose to free bleed, the answer for why tends to be three-fold: they don’t like the feeling of wearing pads or tampons, they want to help the environment by avoiding disposable products, and they want to normalize menstruation, forcing society to get comfortable with the fact the women bleed from their vaginas. In an age where prices are soaring, it’s the beacon of thrifty shopping options for people looking to save a buck. Major U.S. tampon manufacturers tested their products for dioxin levels using an analytical method provided by the FDA. If you or a loved one uses them, it's important to use them safely. Whether there is scientific evidence or not, the fact that women are complaining about this symptom is sufficient reason to be cautious with tampons. Brand name spices are one of 18 things that can break your grocery budget, so I always assumed that the $1 spices from Dollar Tree were a bargain.. Ask any woman who uses a tampon what the best thing about it and she’ll tell you that it makes her feel cleaner. The condition can advance rapidly and may even result in death. Some strategies are better than others dependent on the context – if you’re working at the office, free-bleeding may not be a great choice, for example. This means you are heading to the bathroom while you’re using them, nor do you need to buy new ones more than once a year (providing you take care of your menstrual cup and wash it properly). The number one argument for tampons and against pads is … All that glitters is not safe: Recent tests showed earrings from dollar stores with high lead levels, exceeding Consumer Product Safety Commission regulations. There are a few things to keep in mind to prevent problems.. The first menstrual cup was patented in 1937, but the device didn’t become popular until as recently as the past decade. If you use tampons, buy the organic, unbleached kind, which have not been treated by chemicals and contain only ONE ingredient: organic cotton. As they’re not inserted much more than an inch into the body, and they’re holding menstrual blood, extended use can contribute to development of unpleasant smells. Despite their availability and common use, tampons have some negative side effects – side effects that you probably never even knew about, or possibly just chose not to think about. Spend some time experimenting with what feels more natural for your body, and fits practically into your lifestyle. Read our, Medically reviewed by Jessica Shepherd, MD, Medically reviewed by Monique Rainford, MD, Medically reviewed by Arno Kroner, DAOM, LAc. What if your pads and tampons were reusable? If you’re crafty, you might even consider the possibility of knitting reusable options for yourself! Your vagina is a sensitive place and any foreign object can irritate it. Organic Pads and Tampons Both traditional pads and tampons, the ones you would commonly find on supermarket and … They stop period blood from escaping and keep your underwear (and dignity) safe – what else do you need to worry about? Tampons they are great just leave them in for 6 to 8 hrs and then change them regularly so that you don't leak. Do not store your tampons in the bathroom long-term. These chemicals include harsh pesticides and chemicals such as chlorine. Is it actually safe to only use tampons on your period? 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They also say they have asked Lauren to return the product to the store so they ‘can investigate this issue as a matter of urgency.’ Rather worryingly, tampons ‘shedding’ whilst they are inside a woman’s body is not uncommon, according to organic tampon company Time Of The Month (TOTM). They may also contain bisphenol-S (BPS)—which you’ll find in many BPA-free products and which might be just as dangerous as BPA—the chemical just hasn’t been researched as much. A downside to using a menstrual sponge is plausibly that you might find it a little bit cumbersome and messy to get out. Continue Reading. doi:10.1503/cmaj.161479. The average woman produces a total of 62,415 pounds of garbage from menstrual products over her lifetime and will spend over $18,000 buying them. Updated November 4, 2015. Ⓒ 2020 About, Inc. (Dotdash) — All rights reserved. 2017 May 23;189(20):E726-E728. One concerning source of toxin found in tampons — rarely mentioned — is dioxin. If you are going to use tampons, you should know that they are safe when used properly. Yes, tampons are perfectly safe. There is even a ‘smart’ menstrual cup called LOONCUP that will tell you when it needs to be changes, if you prefer to be a bit more tech-savvy with your vagina. So, like many women, you’re wondering if tampons are safe or not. There have been consumer concerns raised about the use of chlorine in this process. Pads are also safe for overnight use, as there is no risk of TSS if used for longer than 8 hours, making them a great choice for protection while you sleep. Organic tampons will normally use 100% organic cotton and nothing else, so you know exactly what you’re putting in your body. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Center for Devices and Radiological Health has been regulating and providing consumer information about the safety and efficacy of medical devices produced and sold in the United States, including tampons. But the most popular tampons on store shelves (especially fragranced ones) are composed of chemicals, pesticides, and other toxins that the EPA calls “probable human carcinogens” aka sh*t that’s poss unsafe for the human body. Tampons with plastic applicators, for example, cause even more wastage. Read this article to learn more. Which Feminine Hygiene Products Are Right For You? I was wondering if that is healthy or even safe because to me, it doesn t sound safe. Tampons are medical devices regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Not only is a lot of wastage involved in tampon usage in general with many women using dozens in a regular month, but certain types of tampon have even greater environmental problems. Approximately 43 million women in the U.S. use tampons. Examples of companies that sell these menstrual sponges are Jade & Pearl and Jam Sponge. Before the 2015 study was published about the dollar stores having toxic products for sale, this group of dollar stores became a focus by the Environmental Justice and Health Alliance in 2014. This makes them unpleasant and impractical, requiring many changes a day for most women. The sponge will be inserted much like a tampon (maybe with slightly more difficulty due to the lack of applicator and the general increased bulkiness). Examples of such companies are Thinx and Knic Wear. Menstruation is an uncomfortable time of the month as it is. Add to this the somewhat lapse monitoring of the FDA which doesn’t regulate tampons as closely as it should do (so not EVERYTHING in them is approved), and the fact that your vaginal walls are naturally very absorbent, and this whole concept is terrifying. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Some women even claim to have learned to control their flow, only bleeding when they allow themselves to do so on heading to the bathroom, though evidence for this is yet to be seen. Adding difficulties with tampons to the list of things you hate about your period seems unnecessary. Softs cups are potentially less wasteful than pads and tampons, and an easy introduction into getting comfortable with the idea of using something a little bit less familiar. Anita Sadaty, MD, is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist at North Shore University Hospital and founder of Redefining Health Medical. 1. Switching to organic pads and tampons doesn’t take away the issue of the 62,415 pounds of menstrual related garbage produced by your average women in their life time. Do reusable menstrual products under fire for stocking “ potentially unsafe drugs ” cosmetics. Are still concerned, consider buying an organic option will catch the period blood and hopefully prevent leaks a. 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