Tampons are one of the most popular menstrual products in a growing market that now includes menstrual underwear, menstrual cups, and more. They have been around since the 1930s and are still the choice of many, used by up to 80% of people who menstruate.
However, little research has investigated the potential contaminants in tampons and whether they pose a health risk. And a new, first-of-its-kind study has left many wondering: Are tampons safe?
Recent research from UC Berkeley found that many tampons on the market, including organic and non-organic, may contain toxic metals such as lead and arsenic. The researchers analyzed tampons sold in both the United States and Europe.
“Some buffers had higher concentrations of one metal and lower concentrations of another,” said Jenni A. Shearston, Ph.D., lead author of the paper. “We did not test any specific buffer that appeared to have…a lower concentration of all metals.”
Shearston said she and her colleagues began investigating tampons after realizing there was little about their components in the research literature.
“There is a historical taboo around menstruation,” she said. “This doesn’t just affect us in our social lives. It also has an impact on scientific research and I think it’s one of the reasons why we haven’t done as much research on menstrual products.”
Mitchell Kramer, chairman of OB-GYN at Huntington Hospital Northwell Health, said the study is “groundbreaking” and indicates the need for pad manufacturers to conduct more testing on their products.
“It certainly requires more evaluation. … I think it potentially has some significant impact in the future in terms of how tampons are produced and the effect on users,” Kramer said.
That said, it’s unclear what the potential health impact, if any, of using tampons containing these metals might be.
“We don’t know if any of these metals are absorbed through the vagina, which is key when it comes to exposure,” said Dr. Jennifer Lincoln, an obstetrician and gynecologist and author of the book “Let’s Talk About Down There: An OB-GYN Responds to all your burning questions… without making you feel embarrassed to ask.
Shearston — a postdoctoral researcher in the UC Berkeley School of Public Health and department of environmental science, policy and management — adds that one of the study’s limitations is that they don’t know whether metal can leak from tampons.
“We just test whether or not these metals are present in tampons,” she said. “We don’t know if they leave.”
Here’s what you should know about the study.
Tampons and toxic metals
The article published was in the magazine “International Environment,” and researchers analyzed 30 different tampons from 14 brands to determine the metal levels in the tampons. They found “measurable concentrations” of all 16 metals they looked for — including some toxic metals like lead and arsenic — in all of the tampons they tested.
However, the investigation does not conclude that the tested tampons and others on the market are unsafe. Shearston hopes people don’t “panic” about the study.
“We just need more information,” she said. “What I would encourage people to do is support more research and ask more questions about this to try to make research on menstrual products and menstruation a priority.”
Metal levels varied depending on the type, where they were purchased, and whether they were generic or branded.
“These metals were found in different amounts, with some being higher in organic absorbents (such as arsenic) and others in conventional absorbents (such as lead),” Lincoln said. “We don’t know which brands were tested as the study was blinded, which I know is frustrating.”
Lincoln, who was not involved in the study, notes that it is somewhat surprising that this study is the first, but that the findings make sense.
“I was not surprised that metals were also found in organic buffers, as they can be absorbed by the soil and organic farming still uses pesticides,” she said.
Are tampons safe?
Yes, it’s still safe to use tampons, experts say.
“People don’t need to panic,” Kramer said. “We have not established that these products are dangerous or that they cause serious illness in people. I don’t think that’s the case. I think these levels of these heavy metals are very low.”
A press release about the study also notes that “it is unclear whether the metals detected by this study are contributing to any negative health effects.” Shearston says she and her colleagues are currently investigating “whether metals can leach out of tampons.”
“We’re doing a leaching experiment,” she says. “We are also testing buffers, these same products, for other chemicals.”
Lincoln also emphasized that it’s too early to say what the findings mean for consumers looking for the safest tampons.
“According to this study, the average amount of lead found in tampons was actually very small and much lower than what is considered a concern in our food or water,” she said. “This doesn’t negate the study’s findings, but it is an important perspective when people decide whether to continue using tampons or not.”
Catherine Roberts, associate health editor at Consumer Reports, that covered organic tamponsnotes that the study highlights the need for more research into tampons.
“This is not a practical conclusion for an individual consumer,” Roberts said. “A big takeaway from this is that we really need to study this more, and in particular, it would be really helpful if we could study what it means for your physiology to use a tampon contaminated with heavy metals.”
Are non-toxic and organic tampons safer?
All tampons tested contained some degree of toxic metals, including those that claimed to be non-toxic and organic. In fact, these had more arsenic than conventional tampons.
“I hope this demonstrates to people that organic isn’t always necessarily better, especially with seasonal produce,” says Lincoln.
An organic label on a tampon doesn’t have as much meaning as it would on food, for example.
“It doesn’t provide much information to have a tampon labeled as organic,” Roberts said. “That could mean a lot of different things.”
Lincoln added that you should choose period products based on what works best for you.
“This study shouldn’t be the reason we all throw away our tampons as quickly as possible, but it’s important for people to decide what feels best to them,” she said. “It’s important to realize which period products you use is a personal choice. Not everyone is comfortable with menstrual pads, cups or underwear, and for them, tampons are a great option.”
Using tampons safely
For tampon users concerned about their exposure to the metal, Kramer suggests using tampons less frequently and relying on other menstrual products.
“Instead of using tampons 24/7 during your period, maybe alternate between them and a sanitary pad,” he said. “There are certain things you can try to mitigate some of the exposure.”
There are other things consumers can consider when selecting tampons to avoid unfamiliar ingredients.
“Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear that buying certain brands or watching certain labels will necessarily help you avoid (heavy metals),” Roberts said.
Roberts says people can buy fragrance-free tampons, select tampons with fewer components, and skip tampons with polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene or other plastic materials.
“Fragrances are a big black box in regulatory terms,” Roberts said. “You can add fragrances and you don’t have to reveal what’s in them.”
Still, Kramer hopes people don’t panic about the findings.
“Tampon pads have been around for a long time. We haven’t seen people coming in with heavy metal toxicity, and that’s very different from the toxic shock syndrome issue,” he said. “It was a bacteria that had nothing to do with heavy metals.”
Tampon Alternatives
If you’re interested in trying other types of menstrual products, check out these tampon alternatives:
Menstrual cups
A popular brand is the Diva Cup. These are cups that you insert into your vagina to collect menstrual fluid.
Menstrual discs
Similar to a cup, these products use a rimmed bag to collect menstrual fluid.
Period underwear
They resemble regular underwear but contain extra material to absorb menstrual fluid.
Reusable pads
They are cloth pads that you can put in your underwear to absorb liquid, but they can also be washed and reused, unlike regular pads, which you throw away.
This article was originally published in NBCNews. with
