{"id":20830,"date":"2020-09-04T22:47:40","date_gmt":"2020-09-04T22:47:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/?p=20830"},"modified":"2020-09-22T23:07:00","modified_gmt":"2020-09-22T23:07:00","slug":"should-i-use-organic-tampons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/should-i-use-organic-tampons\/","title":{"rendered":"Should I Use Organic Tampons? We Asked an OB-GYN"},"content":{"rendered":"We’re unpacking everything you should know when it comes to chemicals in tampons. Plus: the benefits of organic tampons and other feminine care considerations.<\/em>\r\n\r\nDo you use tampons? Since an estimated 50 to 86 percent<\/a> of all menstruating women in the United States do, let’s assume yes.\r\n\r\nNow, when’s the last time you thought about how safe they really are? Further, perhaps you’ve wondered if you should use organic tampons, and if there are real benefits to switching.\r\n\r\nHere’s a closer look at chemicals in tampons and the benefits of going organic.\r\n

First, what are Tampons made of?<\/h2>\r\nWhile manufacturers previously used four synthetic materials to make tampons, three of them were taken off the market due to health concerns.\r\n\r\nThe one that remains to this day is rayon, which is prized for absorbency but is what one clinical microbiologist calls “the best of the bad<\/a> four ingredients.”\r\n\r\nThese days, tampons use rayon, cotton, or often a blend of the two. For the record, the same microbiologist claims that an all-cotton tampon “is the best possible product.”\r\n\r\n\"Woman\r\n

What chemicals are in Tampons?<\/h2>\r\n

Dioxins<\/h3>\r\nAs far as chemicals in tampons go, dioxins appear to be the biggest offender.\r\n\r\nIn the conventional tampon bleaching process, dioxins can linger behind. And dioxins are “potentially harmful when absorbed internally over a period<\/a> of time,” says Wendy Goodall McDonald, MD, FACOG<\/a>, a board-certified OB-GYN based in Chicago.\r\n

Do Dioxins Make Tampons Toxic?<\/h3>\r\nPotentially\u2014but the concern about dioxins in tampons gets tricky.\r\n\r\nWhile a 2002 study<\/a> confirms that trace amounts of dioxins exist in tampons, they’re at a significantly lower concentration than dioxins from everyday dietary exposure.\r\n\r\nHowever, the World Health Organization states that dioxins are highly toxic<\/a> and can compromise hormonal, immune, and reproductive health<\/a>. For this reason, they pose a valid concern.\r\n\r\nThe chemical content can become more concerning once you consider exposure from using tampons on a monthly basis over many years. On top of that, mucous membranes in the vagina rapidly absorb chemicals<\/a> and fluids.\r\n\r\nAll things considered, conclusive studies are required before reaching an official verdict on dioxins in tampons.\r\n

Other Chemicals in Tampons<\/h3>\r\nDr. Goodall McDonald shares other chemicals that conventional tampons\u2014each of which poses its own potential risks\u2014including:\r\n