For most menstruating persons, tampons are a go-to choice during that time of the month. And why wouldn’t they be? They’re easy and convenient, can be worn with virtually any underwear, and have different sizes to prevent leakage throughout the day. The tampons we know and love today have been around since 1929, and though women’s health is criminally understudied, we never had a reason to think this beloved period product might be doing more harm than good—until now. Because new research about tampons is here, and it’s worse than you think.
So, what’s the deal with tampons, and why is there so much controversy surrounding them? We set out to investigate. Ahead, a full breakdown of the controversy surrounding the period product, why this new research is such a big deal, whether tampons are safe, and what to look for when buying tampons.
What’s the controversy surrounding tampons?
On June 22, 2024, a study published in Environment International revealed that several toxic metals were present in 30 tampons from 14 brands purchased from retailers across the United States, United Kingdom, and Greece. For this study, researchers blindly tested the tampons for 16 heavy metals—like arsenic, lead, zinc, cobalt, and mercury—and found lead in all 30 of them. One product also tested positive for all 16 metals.
What’s more, this study also found that organic doesn’t mean better. Researchers also found that organic tampons had lower concentrations of lead and higher concentrations of arsenic than their non-organic counterparts. And tampons from Europe had less lead than tampons from the United States. It’s unknown where these metals are coming from; however, researchers theorize it might be from the soil the cotton and rayon used to make tampons is grown in, or from the added chemicals and antimicrobials used to control odor.
Needless to say, this study has sparked a public outcry, with researchers calling for more regulations in the manufacturing of period care products and menstruating persons demanding to know exactly what they’ve been putting into their body all these years.
Why is this news such a big deal?
The biggest reason this study is so alarming is because vaginal tissue is permeable AF, and it’s unclear if the vagina is absorbing these toxic metals. If that’s the case, this means that metals are leaching out from tampons and into the vagina, and subsequently entering into the bloodstream during that time of the month. This is problematic because anything that enters into the body this way can’t be filtered out by the liver and is instead absorbed by the bloodstream. Over time, this buildup of metal could lead to significant health problems, like heavy metal poisoning.
Are tampons safe to use?
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the jury’s still out on this one. Despite these findings, there’s no evidence to suggest that the metals found in tampons are leaching from the product and into the vagina and, subsequently, bloodstream. “We only tested whether or not these metals are present in tampons,” lead author on the paper, Jenni A. Shearston, Ph.D., explained to TODAY. “We don’t know whether they come out.” Shearston then went on to say that she hopes people don’t “panic" about the study, and instead encourages them to support more research and ask more questions; that way, research on menstrual products and menstruation becomes a priority.
Furthermore, a spokesperson for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) told CBS Moneywatch, “We plan to evaluate the study closely and take any action warranted to safeguard the health of consumers who use these products.” So, it seems as though tampons are safe to use—for now. However, it’s important to protect yourself as a consumer. If the results of this study are a little unnerving, it might be time to re-evaluate the menstrual products you’re using or consider tampon alternatives.
What to look for when buying tampons
Ultimately, when it comes to buying tampons, it’s important to go with what works best for you and your cycle. However, there are a few things you should be on the lookout for. For starters, avoid tampons that contain any sort of fragrance because they contain chemicals that can disrupt the natural process and pH levels of the vagina. Instead, seek out products that say “fragrance-free” or “scent-free” rather than unscented; unscented is still a fragrance, you just can’t smell it.
Additionally, look for tampons that don’t have plastic applicators since most contain phthalates, a chemical known to make plastic more flexible and insertion easier, in turn, and also disrupt the body’s endocrine system. Likewise, although organic tampons contain more arsenic than non-organic ones, they’re still your best bet for a tampon with minimal processing. So, look for organic brands that have this and are transparent about their manufacturing process; this will help you find options that are chemical-free or contain as little chemicals as possible.
That said, this extra diligence can be time-consuming. So if you just don’t have the time to conduct tampon research or would rather spend your time doing something else, consider using a tampon alternative, like a menstrual cup. Typically, menstrual cups are made with body-safe, medical grade silicone, like most sex toys. They also require less changing and limit or prevent leakage better than tampons because they can hold for menstrual blood. Plus, they’re sustainable and eco-friendly.