The reality is that these products are under-researched so we just dont know what impacts they may be having on our health, because neither researchers or companies are asking the questions that need to be asked. Titanium dioxide, or TiO 2, is a naturally occurring mineral that takes the form of a tasteless, white powder, according to the National Institutes of Health. Still, more studies in humans need to be performed to verify this finding. "There is no published research available currently that has examined the impacts of vaginal or vulvar exposure to titanium dioxide." "Again, the data is inconclusive on whether these products are really linked to excessive bleeding, cancer and infertility, so it's not right or wrong to continue using these products based on currently available information," Dr. Gohar says. 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. Fortunately, many new wave period-care companies are extremely transparent about their ingredients lists. Mounting evidence has resulted in the World Health Organization labeling glyphosate as a probable human carcinogen. Because one of the ingredients on the back of her container is titanium dioxide, which if you dont know, causes cancer, Morgan said. Andrea Chisolm, MD, is a board-certified OB/GYN who has taught at both Tufts University School of Medicine and Harvard Medical School. So the million-dollar question: is it safe to have titanium dioxide in pads and tampons? How Bad Is It Really to Use Baby Powder 'Down There?'. Shoppers are fans of the tampon's compact design that fits in the palm of their hand, allowing them to discreetly carry one to the bathroom. We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best When Aunt Flo makes her monthly visit, some people prefer pads, while other swear by menstrual cups or tampons. 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. Media inquiries? ", If you do decide to give organic tampons a try, Dr. Ross recommends checking the box for ingredients before buying. The rule for food items is that the coloring agent can't exceed 1% of the food's weight. Understandably, some folks are pretty mad, some are very concerned. "If you feel uncomfortable with the potential risks associated with titanium dioxide, look for products that dont include titanium dioxide on the ingredients list," says Flynn. Some worry it causes cancer, irregular periods. T. Glyphosateis from a class of chemicals known as endocrine disrupters. 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. Another familiar one: Tampax is similar to Kotex in that these are your everyday, typical tampons. of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911. Considering each pack comes with 32 tampons, their price isn't even that bad for an all-organic product! These are by far the most comfortable, reliable, and absorbent. "Minimal waste and perfect for everyone especially those that are extra sensitive. And live a healthy lifestyle. ", Price at time of publication: $13.98 for 36 count. The 2023 Complete Python Certification Bootcamp Bundle, Mourning the Loss of Addison Raes Debut Album | The Meme Machine. And that is what I encourage you all to do to contact the manufacturers of the products you use. And since the chemical is in the cotton plant it will also be in the cotton produced from the plant. 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.. It also appears insunscreen and cosmetics, two categories in which the ingredient is also generally considered safe. Which supplements are most likely to land you in the ER? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the Switch it up: Try something different for a month particularly if you're having some sort of acute reaction and see how you feel, Scranton suggested. Menstrual pads get even more complicated with top layers, middle layers of absorbent foam, super absorbent polymers, various waterproof backings, more fragrance, lots of coatings to wick fluid and aid absorption, lotion ingredients like petrolatum, adhesives made with styrene, more titanium dioxide to make it look whiter, as well as colored dyes for pretty designs. Tampons are one method of absorbing menstrual flow during your period. Plus, titanium dioxide is not water soluble, so it's unlikely to be dissolved and absorbed vaginally, according to the National Library of Medicine. 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. I started switching to organic food, so why not beauty/hygiene products as well? We should be able to make a period product that does not lead to cysts! Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. And then look up and vet the products that we do have available.. Titanium Dioxide, or TiO2, is a white coloring agent used in cosmetic products, toothpaste, deodorant, desserts and paint. Meanwhile, other countries are cracking down on the coloring agent. 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). AT AMAZON. 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. You can also register your story with the FDA Medwatch program their online form is here: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/index.cfm?action=consumer.reporting1 and on that form you can offer as much or as little information as you wish. Tampons are not intended to be used at any other time or . Sunscreens can have concentrations of up to 25%. Could you explain as to why this happened to me? Never ever in my life have had an ovarian cyst. 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. Everyone deserves to live in a healthy and safe environment. For example, when the substance is applied via sunscreen, sufficient data have found titanium dioxide to be "generally recognized as safe and effective," per the FDA. You know why? Wallace told Gizmodo in an email that anecdotal stories like the one in Morgans TikTok go viral all the time because they are sensational and get a lot of shares and comments. It's used in sunscreen, toothpaste, some food, and it is used to whiten the string of tampons. I wouldn't raise the alarm. It is the mostwidely used white pigment because of its brightness and very high refractive index meaning that its "brilliant whiteness" does not allow light to pass through. Do you need an 'armpit detox?' They are in your food, your clothes, your makeup, and skincare products just to name a few of your daily exposures. Information reported to MedWatch helps the FDA to ensure tampons remain safe and effective. So, titanium dioxide on the tampon string is not going to be dissolved and absorbed by menstrual blood; and certainly, will not be absorbed into the body. Have a beautiful child. Used these This is L. Tampons for 2 cycles and now have a 6cm cyst, bleeding for almost 2 weeks straight, blood tests, doctors visits and now having to pay over $l000 for two sonograms. The suit claims the substance is unfit for human consumption, but the toxicologist stated that the lawsuit is based on gross misinterpretations of the available data to claim a human cancer risk. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); (function(d, s, id) { I used this exact brand. And linked it to cancer and damage to the immune system when certain amounts were ingested over a period of time. oft-cited study that shows that chronic high-level exposure of inhaled TiO2 could be linked to lung cancer in rats, expressed concern that TiO2 particles in food additives could accumulate over time in the body, the FDA continues to allow for safe use of TiO2 as a food additive, Why Epsom salt should be a staple in your home medicine cabinet, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy, Inhalation: can cause irritation of nose and throat at high concentrations, Eyes: can cause mild irritation as a foreign body sensation but tearing and blinking can safely remove the particles. A company spokesperson told theSkimm that the ingredient represents much less than 0.1% of all ingredients used in a [P&G] tampon. And said its been used safely for years. The problem is, although the cotton is resistant to the effects of the herbicide glyphosate, the chemical is still absorbed by the plant. Protective wrap stands up to the roughest of travel and yet is easily unwrapped so no time is wasted. A recent TikTok video went viral with thefalse claim that the titanium dioxide used in L. brand organic tampons is responsible for miscarriages, cancerand a host of other medical problems. 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. Myths about aluminum and deodorant, explained. The toxic substance produced by the bacteria can cause organ damage (including kidney, heart, and liver failure), shock, and even death. These are the best organic tampons to shop for: Best Overall: Organyc 100% Certified Organic Tampons. 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. ", One shopper wrote, "I used to use Tampax, but things changed as I got older and I needed something more absorbent and more comfortable. "According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), regulated doses of titanium dioxide are not harmful, but this also varies based on use," Dr. Gohar says. Tampons cleared by the FDA are meant to be used one time and then thrown away. Lifetime customer here. L. Organic Cotton Regular and Super Absorbency Compact Tampons 76CT. As the name suggests, these tampons are, indeed, organic, made of cotton and free of synthetic ingredientszero chemicals, fragrances or dyes involved. According to Dr. Aly Cohen, founder & medical director of The Smart Human LLC, all of these studies are different. In a post on her Vajenda Substack on Wednesday, Gunter said that as a result of the videos on TikTok, she had received panicked messages from women worried that their tampons were the cause of their pre-cancer of the cervix. Price at time of publication: $6.98 for 20 count. I won't use any other brands after these. Is it possible todays feminine hygiene products are exposing me to cancer-causing chemicals? 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. Likely in your daily life, you have much more significant exposures to this class of chemicals. Let's take a moment to review cotton production and the concept of GMO (genetically modified organism) farming. But, before you choose to leave a tampon in for an extended period, we recommend learning about the risks of and how to avoid toxic shock syndrome. Tampax. The decision was based on available scientific research which, although not totally conclusive, found that an accumulation of titanium dioxide in the body could possibly contribute to genotoxicity (i.e., damage at the DNA level that may lead to cancer). According to the brand, the tampons feature a unique design that keeps "fluids locked in the core for added security. The .gov means its official.Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Let's look at the concerns around today's feminine hygiene products, specifically national brand tampons and pads. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. With these there's no irritation or dryness, I honestly forget they're in. And it functions the same in tampons: Titanium dioxide serves as a coloring agent to make your period products appear whiter, Dr. Gohar says. If you don't want to take any chances with this ingredient, try these organic products instead. Pain Inserting a Tampon? A video with millions of views on TikTok claims titanium dioxide, an ingredient in many tampons, causes cancer and other gynecological and reproductive issues.