As shown in the viral TikTok video, some organic tampons contain titanium dioxide as a bleaching agent. Then you can make your own decision. I would recommend sharing your story with the company they have long claimed that they get very few complaints for their period products, which we believe to be a lack of reporting rather than a lack of problems. We may earn a commission from links on this page. You may want to talk with your health care provider about whether tampons are right for you. But TiO2 is insoluble in water meaning that it cannot be dissolved into smaller particles. Including. How Often to Change Tampons or Pads During Your Period, The 12 Best Period Underwear of 2023, Tested and Reviewed, How to Stop Bacterial Vaginosis From Coming Back Permanently, Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals and Cancer, Here's Why It's So Hard to Know If Your Period Underwear Is PFAS-Free, GMO (genetically modified organism) farming, Tampons and pads made from organic cotton, Diamanti-Kandarakis E et al, Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals: An Endocrine Society Scientific Statement, Endocrine Review 2009 Jun;30(4) 293-342. But, again, further study is needed.. Meanwhile, in the US, the FDA continues to allow for safe use of TiO2 as a food additive as long as manufacturers provide evidence that it is safe at its intended level of use. As part of the FDAs review, manufacturers submit data including the results of testing to evaluate the safety of the materials used to make tampons and applicators (if present); tampon absorbency, strength, and integrity; and whether tampons enhance the growth of certain harmful bacteria or change normal bacteria levels in the vagina. It's mainly used for color. Along with being hypoallergenic and dermatologist-tested, the tampons feature twisted organic cotton fibers for added absorbency. So we talked to gynecologists to get the scoop on everything you need to know about organic tampons. js.src = '//p2a.co/js/embed/widget/advocacywidget.min.js'; She does this by citing another TikTok videoin which that user claimed to have excessive vaginal bleeding, ovarian cystsand uterine damage after using L. brand tampons. It gets used in a LOT of products and it's probably been in tampons and pads for a long time (just never listed on the label before). This is what manufacturers need to know that people are reading these things and asking these questions.. Keep in mind that sometimes titanium dioxide might also be listed as white pigment or pigment white 6 so look for those terms as well. (no offense) L. brand tampons use titanium dioxide as pigment in the thread that attaches the stringto the absorbent part of the tampon. "could no longer be considered safe" as a food additive, ban TiO2 as a food additive earlier this year, classifies tampons and pads as medical devices, are recommended, but not required, to list their ingredients, may cause cancer based on studies done on animals, government sets limits on exposure for workers, not found any clear link between lung cancer, titanium dioxide can cause alterations to the reproductive system, 26 percent of the global population are of reproductive age. While they are not safer to use, there are some benefits to switching to organic tamponsparticularly for environmental reasons. Typically, "higher doses can be used topically in a safe manner," he says. There are a number of folks online recently worried about finding titanium dioxide as an ingredient in their tampons and pads and wondering if it is related to some health conditions they are experiencing like ovarian cysts, miscarriages, UTIs and more. I can wear them for as long as necessary and there is no leakage. the she-quel and creator of URJA Intimates skincare products for the vulva and vagina. It's primarily used to help make white foods appear whiter (like milk and candy) or to lengthen the shelf life of foods that are sensitive to UV light. But while many want to try and put two and two together, the bottom line is that there isnt enough data to confirm the claims that titanium dioxide in tampons is causing the ovarian cysts and other issues people are describing. Heres what we know about exposure to titanium dioxide right now: If you inhale titanium dioxide particles it can possibly lead to lung cancer at least we know it causes lung cancer in rats [1]. Shoppers love that these organic Tampax tampons have an applicator that is comfortable and easy to use. var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; "They're easy to use, easily concealable, and give me ease of mind that I'm doing something good for the environment. Cause-and-effect can only be established by rigorous randomized-control, double-blindclinical research trials or meta-analyses of multiple smaller studies, for example. ", Price at time of publication: $14.99 for 32 count. Although the vagina is a mucous membrane through which a chemical could be absorbed we dont know for sure if this actually happens and if it does how much glyphosate is actually absorbed. In addition to being gynecologist-tested, the tampons are also biodegradable and free from fragrances, dyes, synthetics, and chemicals. Information reported to MedWatch helps the FDA to ensure tampons remain safe and effective. "There is no published research available currently that has examined the impacts of vaginal or vulvar exposure to titanium dioxide," Dr. Eyvazzadeh. (The FDA says that manufacturers can have no more than 1 percent TiO2 in food.). And performed in ways that account for different titanium dioxide levels and time of exposure. If youre still super worried, and I hear you, then use something else, like pads or menstrual cups or whatnot, Lincoln, who has 2.8 million followers on TikTok, said. Only tampons that have been cleared by the FDA can be legally marketed in the U.S. However, titanium dioxide isn't just a popular ingredient in food. All rights reserved. These options are often referred to as green alternatives and include: By Andrea Chisholm, MD Meanwhile, Procter & Gamble, which carries the brands This Is L, Always, and Tampax, has been responding to concerns surrounding titanium dioxide in its products. PolitiFact | Is the titanium dioxide in tampons toxic? Ask them how they are ensuring the safety of their tampons and pads. ", Price at time of publication: $13.98 for 36 count. Both TikTok users are falling prey to the correlation, not causation trap. Given the mixed reviews on the substance, it's obvious why some are concerned about consuming it. "If this worries you, then don't use products that have this," Jennifer Lincoln, MD, shared in a video. Protective wrap stands up to the roughest of travel and yet is easily unwrapped so no time is wasted. Only use tampons when you have your period. Our editors independently select these products. Is the Acrylamide in Coffee Actually Bad for You? "They're organic, and I love how compact they are! We Now Have More Information about Ingredients Used in Period Products If you use tampons, consider the following: If you have had discomfort or became ill as a result of using a tampon, consider reporting it to MedWatch, the FDAs safety information and adverse event reporting program. "Organic tampons are available as an alternative for women who prefer to go this route," said Dr. Ross. "I have been using these for a few years now and I love them," raved one shopper. Organic Tampons, Best for Leak Protection: Rael Organic Cotton Tampons, Best Affordable Option: Just Cotton Core Tampons, Feminine Hygiene Products Are Selling Out, But We Found 10 You Can Still Buy Online, The 12 Best Laundry Detergents for Sensitive Skin of 2023, 10 Best Pillowcases and Protectors for People with Allergies, The 12 Best Socks for Sweaty Feet of 2023, Sleep Awards 2022: 30 Products to Help You Sleep Better, The 10 Best Kegel Balls of 2023, Reviewed and Approved, I Tried Freshly Meals for a WeekHere's My Honest Review, The 10 Best Latex Mattresses That Are Cooling, Comfortable, and Durable, The 9 Best Body Sunscreens Dermatologists Recommend for Year-Round Protection, Veeda Natural Cotton Applicator Free Tampons, Seventh Generation Organic Cotton Tampons, organic cotton tampons from Seventh Generation, super plus organic cotton tampons from Lola. Making a purchase through our links may earn Well+Good a commission. Peter Weiss, MD, is a board-certified OB/GYN and expert in women's health. Before you start gathering all your tampons and scouring their ingredient lists, you should know that experts want you to chill and stop worrying: Your tampons are safe. Understandably, some folks are pretty mad, some are very concerned. How Bad Is It Really to Wear a Tampon for Longer Than 8 Hours? Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is rare and is caused by a toxic substance that is produced by certain kinds of bacteria. Shes getting checked for fucking cancer. There's also a little bit of evidence to suggest that the common ingredient may be an endocrine disruptor, says Flynnmeaning it may affect a person's hormonal system. "There is no published research available currently that has examined the impacts of vaginal or vulvar exposure to titanium dioxide." I used this exact brand. According to Dr. Aly Cohen, founder & medical director of The Smart Human LLC, all of these studies are different. TikTokers Say Titanium Dioxide in Tampons Is Risky, What - Insider Still, more studies in humans need to be performed to verify this finding. It's also is often used to make things like paint, and most relevant for our purposes, it's used to make pads and tampons appear whiter. It became the first state in the nation to do so. In the emergency room, I assess five primary routes of exposure for a substance when assessing for toxicity: inhalation, skin contact, eye contact, ingestionand absorption. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved titanium dioxide for human consumption in 1966, cementing its presence in a variety of foods, including candies and other processed foods.. Choose from Same Day Delivery, Drive Up or Order Pickup. Very pleased with these. The .gov means its official.Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. So you can choose whether or not you want to accept a possible risk to have a whiter tampon OR choose a brand that doesnt include it. One reason is that the FDA evaluates whether a tampon enhances the growth of the bacteria that causes TSS before the product can be legally marketed. Aimee Eyvazzadeh, MD. If you prefer to use cardboard applicators, check out these tampons from Oi. As to whether its nanoparticals in the string or not, once blood an other fluids touches the chemical its most likely all fusing together and that is going inside our very sensitive systems. These are the best organic tampons to shop for: Best Overall: Organyc 100% Certified Organic Tampons. How well do you know the ingredients in the foods you eat or products you use every day? Here are 11 organic tampons that reviewers love. Best Eco-Friendly Applicator: Tampax Pure . An official website of the United States government, Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts, The Facts on Tamponsand How to Use Them Safely. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Since tampons are inserted inside our bodies for hours at a time, it makes sense that people would have safety concerns, but Dr. Ross says there is no reason for concern. During clinical trials the amount of titanium dioxide used have not shown any increased health risks and there have been no big outbreaks of things like ovarian cysts associated with titanium oxide tampons. "I love that these are eco-friendly, biodegradable, and non-toxic," wrote one. A viral TikTok with millions views about how tampons that contain titanium dioxide can cause cancer and other health problems has spurred calls on the platform to throw away all products that match that description. She stressed that its important to remember that correlation in this case does not equal causation. Sunscreen can safely contain up to 25% titanium dioxide. As for the potential risks (or lack thereof!) Sunscreens can have concentrations of up to 25%. "Similar to choosing organic vegetables, it's an alternative, but not necessarily better or safer for women to consume. Before any tampons can be legally sold in the U.S., they must go through the FDAs review to determine whether they are as safe and effective as (substantially equivalent to) legally marketed tampons. Read our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions. Organic farming typically uses more sustainable practices, plus by not treating cotton with pesticides, fewer harmful chemicals have been released into the environment. Rebecca Carhart is a Senior Ecommerce Reviews Writer covering home, fashion, beauty, and lifestyle products. A viral TikTok video is spreading misinformation that an ingredient occasionally found in tampons titanium dioxide can cause cancer. L. Organic 100% Cotton Core Tampons Regular, 76 Count The highly absorbent products are made without any dioxides, polyester, pesticides, or fragrances, and they are applicator-free. But their favorite part seems to be the fact that they are made from 90% plant-based materials. Shoppers love that they are made from responsibly sourced, organic cotton and that their applicator is made from 92% of plant-based materials. And since the chemical is in the cotton plant it will also be in the cotton produced from the plant. Ive written multiple times in this columnabout how an observed association between two events or variables does not necessarily mean that one caused the other. We spoke to ob-gyn James A. Gohar, MD, co-founder and CEO of Viva Eve, to set the record straight on this substance in question, including whether it poses any risk to your reproductive health (or otherwise) and which tampon products are safest. This is why we fight tirelessly for ingredient transparency and your right to know! The compound is used safely in many foods and cosmetics, but it's still banned in foods in the UK.. Pro tip: It can also appear as Pigment White 6 and White Pigment in packaging. Just bear in mind: If you have any specific health concerns to weigh, it's critical to reach out to your gynecologist or primary care physician to make the right choice for you. Tampax. Read our, What Exposure Could Mean for Your Reproductive Health. It makes items white. Comes with twelve different courses comprised of a huge number of lessons, and each one will help you learn more about Python itself, and can be accessed when you want and as often as you want forever, making it ideal for learning a new skill. It can be frustrating when you don't have a clear picture of the ingredients in your tampons, toothpaste, chewing gum, and everything in between. But there's not much research to tell us what the potential effects are of TiO2 in certain other formats, like if you eat a little bit of it in food, or regularly insert small amounts of it in your body via a tampon for a few days each month. "I don't feel as though organic tampons are necessarily any safer than the traditionally manufactured tampons available to the consumer," she said. Including how tampons affect vaginal bacteria. Health First: A Cleaning Products Industry Roadmap for Selecting Safer Chemicals, Beyond the Label: Health Impacts of Harmful Ingredients in Cleaning Products, https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/index.cfm?action=consumer.reporting1, More Period Policies are Addressing Ingredient Safety and Transparency, Thinx PFAS Lawsuit Also Calls Attention to Nanosilver Concerns, Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022: MOCRA Explained, First US approval of indoor air disinfectant draws NGO criticism, Johnson & Johnson Will Discontinue Talc-Based Baby Powder Globally in 2023. Gizmodo reached out to TikTok multiple times on Thursday to ask if it would take any action on content crying wolf about the dangers of titanium dioxide and tampons but did not receive a response. I started switching to organic food, so why not beauty/hygiene products as well? Now that you know the difference between organic and non-organic tampons, if you are looking to make the switch to more eco-friendly period products, we've got you covered. The European Food Safety Authority in 2021 expressed concern that TiO2 particles in food additives could accumulate over time in the body and ruled that it could no longer be considered safe as a food additive. However, larger quantities of titanium dioxide might be damaging if ingested, Dr. Gohar says. ", Price at time of publication: $11.25 for 32 count. While most options on this list are more expensive than other tampons you can find in the aisles of your favorite drugstore, Just's tampons are as affordable as they are eco-friendly. For many, the video has raised awareness about an important issue: The chemicals in our products. It's unclear exactly how many brands use TiO2 in their menstrual products. "You will want to make sure they are composed of 100% organic cotton, free of chemicals, rayon, and synthetics, fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, not bleached with chlorine, dioxin free, and free of additive chemicals.". Titanium dioxide might be one of these. Wash your hands before and after using a tampon. In fact, in 2021 the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) declared titanium dioxide no longer safer as a food additive. Its used in sunscreen, all kinds of cosmetics, medications, and youll find it in food. Lincoln said this led some to believe that. Read reviews and buy Tampax Pure Cotton Tampons - Super - 24ct at Target. The danger is that people will listen to the sensationalized viral video, instead of having a real conversation about risks with their doctor or health care provider.. ", If you do decide to give organic tampons a try, Dr. Ross recommends checking the box for ingredients before buying. Because even my doctor was very confused. fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); Most importantly, reviewers say the tampons are both comfortable and absorbent. Could you explain as to why this happened to me? of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911. Pain Inserting a Tampon? One shopper called the Top tampons a "must try" before adding, "I've used many different brands of organic tampons. Ease and comfort all around! These are by far the most comfortable, reliable, and absorbent. 6 min read. And that's a really good thing to drive science [and] safer products.
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