Shipping details. "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. "I stopped using tampons when I noticed they'd irritate my lady parts after use. "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. And see what they say. Ease and comfort all around! The chemical substance also seems to have a potentially negative impact on the gut microbiome, Dr. Gohar says. They are comfortable and easy to use, just make sure you press down completely on the applicator before removing (it sort of 'clicks' together). It gets used in a LOT of products and its probably been in tampons and pads for a long time (just never listed on the label before). ", Price at time of publication: $12.74 for 16 count. The rule for food items is that the coloring agent can't exceed 1% of the food's weight. According to the suit, 80 percent of the tampons' ingredients are "not cotton," and 60 percent of the ingredients are "not organic," as . For about the last twenty years the majority of cotton farmers have been using seeds that were modified to have resistance to a major herbicide known as glyphosate. Unfortunately, this question doesnt have a simple answer. Best Eco-Friendly Applicator: Tampax Pure . Hundreds of Amazon shoppers love these organic cotton tampons from Seventh Generation because of their comfortable, dual-layer design that prevents leaks. Missoula, MT 59807, Visit us in Denver Andrea Chisolm, MD, is a board-certified OB/GYN who has taught at both Tufts University School of Medicine and Harvard Medical School. Some. Along with being hypoallergenic and dermatologist-tested, the tampons feature twisted organic cotton fibers for added absorbency. womensvoices@womensvoices.org. That said, with all the scientific evidence accumulating in other areas, consumers should be more aware of titanium dioxide's potential effect on reproductive health, Dr. Gohar says. And it would be a stretch to correlate a possible connection in rats to a true cause-and-effect in humans. And the importance of questioning what were consuming on the daily. ", If you do decide to give organic tampons a try, Dr. Ross recommends checking the box for ingredients before buying. What Are the Symptoms of Having Your Period? And putting the different limits aside, it can be hard to find titanium dioxide on labels because not all companies are required to list it. Typically, "higher doses can be used topically in a safe manner," he says. These Veeda tampons are as eco-friendly as they can possibly get. I used this exact brand. Aimee Eyvazzadeh, MD. 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. 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. ", Price at time of publication: $10 for 16 count. For sunscreen, the research that's been done has looked at how much titanium dioxide do you absorb through your skin when you put it on as a sunscreen, she said. Over the years, companies like Dunkin have announced theyre cutting ties with titanium dioxide (which used it for its powdered donuts). The FDA discourages the use of reusable tampons. This means that farmers could use this herbicide to kill the weeds in their fields without worrying about it harming the cotton crops. Here's why: sometimes the substance is also noted as "Pigment White 6" or "White Pigment," Dr. Gohar explains. "The potential risks of titanium dioxide vary depending on the method of exposure," says Dr. Eyvazzadeh. He reiterated that no such evidence exists. Case in point: exposure to titanium dioxide may destroy good gut microbes, cause gut dysfunction and increase intestinal inflammation, according to a February 2021 systematic review of animal studies published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.. Organic farming typically uses more sustainable practices, plus by not treating cotton with pesticides, fewer harmful chemicals have been released into the environment. }(document, 'script', 'advocacy-actionwidget-code')); Womens Voices for the Earth That brings us to. Because one of the ingredients on the back of her container is titanium dioxide, which if you dont know, causes cancer, Morgan said. 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. "Titanium dioxide is the naturally occurring compound created when titanium reacts with oxygen in the air," explains endocrinologist and advisor at reproductive-health company Natalist Aimee Eyvazzadeh, MD. 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. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Denver, Colorado 80205, Phone: (406) 543-3747 For more information on TSS, see the tampon safety tips, below. 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. Even better, for every box of tampons sold in the United States, the brand donates 43 cents to nonprofit organizations to offset the "period tax" and help make period products more accessible to women in need. $12.59. Our editors independently select these products. As of the time of publication of this article, Morgans TikTok as well as others on the subject with the hashtag #titaniumdioxide were still on the platform racking up views. There are several health concerns regarding TiO2. Some tampons include titanium dioxide, which makes them appear whiter and brighter. Just because someone had health problems after they used something doesnt necessarily mean an ingredient in that thing caused the problem, Wallace said. As a result, it's not too difficult to shop for TiO2-free tampons if you're concernedand have the financial means to do so. It is important to note that studies in rats, mice and other animals are not directly applicable to humans. They are in your food, your clothes, your makeup, and skincare products just to name a few of your daily exposures. You know why? I believe we all have a responsibility to better and more critically appraise social media content, particularly with regard to health and medical information. This is why we fight tirelessly for ingredient transparency and your right to know! Estimated ship . Ultimately the end product produced from the cotton may also contain some amount of the chemical. The compound is used safely in many foods and cosmetics, but it's still banned in foods in the UK. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Now 12% Off. According to the brand, the tampons feature a unique design that keeps "fluids locked in the core for added security. Meanwhile, Procter & Gamble, which carries the brands This Is L, Always, and Tampax, has been responding to concerns surrounding titanium dioxide in its products. No applicator also means less plastic, less waste, and they're also way more discreet, and I can pack more of them into a smaller space. Is this just a big conspiracy someone is trying to push? And suggested that the tampons from This Is L Inc are causing ovarian cysts. Not surprisingly, because it is easier to spray weeds than it is to remove them by hand or machine, farmers started using more and more of this herbicide. js.src = '//p2a.co/js/embed/widget/advocacywidget.min.js'; He completed his residency training in emergency medicine at Lincoln Medical Center in theSouth Bronx. Subscribe to receive Consumer Updates email notifications. Probably, at this point in time, the best answer is, We dont know. Likely the amount of glyphosate in feminine hygiene products is relatively small. "Titanium dioxide is a naturally occurring substance that is often used in food and other topical products to create a whiter and brighter look," Dr. Gohar says. Morgan explains that she learned about the purported dangers of these tampons after TikTok showed her a video of a girl using the same brand that had experienced two weeks of excessive bleeding and extreme pain, ovarian cysts, and irreversible uterine damage. Thanks again for sharing your story its voices like yours that can make all the difference. No issues with the applicator and love the discreet packaging. How do they not see that this is a dire health issue, they play it off as if we are losing our minds. . By now, you may have seen the viral video of the girl finding Titanium Dioxide and Polyester in her L Organic tampons and what's crazy is, I even had some of the same brand here at home. 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. Here's what the experts suggest Keep it simple: Things like colorants, whiteners, and fragrances are not necessary to the product, Scranton said. Glyphosateis from a class of chemicals known as endocrine disrupters. 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. No tampon should be used more than once. There's just a lot of unknowns and I think it requires further investigation, Dr. Olivia Dziadek, gynecologist with McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, said. Chemicals are everywhere. Her job is to pore over ingredient lists and other scientific studies to find out what we know about the chemicals that are in our products and what their exposure could mean. Only use tampons when you have your period. Read our, What Exposure Could Mean for Your Reproductive Health. Sign up for the Daily Skimm email newsletter. The potential problem lies in the specific chemical. But titanium dioxides potential health effects depend on how it's used. 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. It wasnt that long ago (read: 2020) that a New York law requiring ingredients to be listed in period product packaging went into effect. Shoppers love that these organic Tampax tampons have an applicator that is comfortable and easy to use. 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. 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. With all these questions, we turned to experts for answers. We all deserve safe products and all you need to do is ask. The thread is so soft and they absorb perfectly. Peter Weiss, MD, is a board-certified OB/GYN and expert in women's health. These products are made from cotton and it is actually the cotton contained in these products that are the potential problem. There are many substances, including medications, that we safely encounter or consume on a regular basis. Well+Good decodes and demystifies what it means to live a well life, inside and out. Walmart customers love these super plus organic cotton tampons from Lola so much, they have given them an impressive 4.3-star rating. Price at time of publication: $16 for 20 count. 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. Titanium dioxide is commonly found in countless everyday products including food, cosmetics, drugs, paper and toothpaste. Are There Toxic Chemicals in Your Tampons? Some worry it causes cancer, irregular periods. Tampons are one method of absorbing menstrual flow during your period. It's mainly used for color. It's used in sunscreen, all kinds of cosmetics, medications, and you'll find it in food. "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. Difference Between Regular and Organic Tampons, Best Overall: Organyc 100% Certified Organic Tampons, Best Eco-Friendly Applicator: Tampax Pure Organic Tampons, Best Cardboard Applicator: Oi Certified Organic Tampons, Best Applicator Free: Veeda Natural Cotton Applicator Free Tampons, Best for Light Flow: Seventh Generation Organic Cotton Tampons, Best for Heavy Flow: Lola Super Plus Organic Cotton Tampons, Best Variety Pack: Top Regular & Super Organic Tampons, Best Hypoallergenic Option: Cora Organic Cotton Tampons, Best Overnight Option: O.B. Titanium dioxide is a white powder and a common ingredient in many products. I started switching to organic food, so why not beauty/hygiene products as well? Here arefivesteps you can start applying today: Do this, not that: Simple swaps to boost your wellness, More: Why Epsom salt should be a staple in your home medicine cabinet, Michael Daignault, MD, is a board-certified ER doctor in Los Angeles. According to the brand, these organic O.b. Organyc 100% Certified Organic Cotton Tampons. So heres a refresher: Titanium dioxide is a naturally occurring mineral. While paying $300 a month for health insurance. It's unclear exactly how many brands use TiO2 in their menstrual products. "Best product ever," raved one customer. 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. Only tampons that have been cleared by the FDA can be legally marketed in the U.S. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. While "titanium dioxide is natural, meaning found in nature," it doesn't necessarily mean it's healthy, says ob-gyn and pain medicine physician Jen Gunter, MD. Is this an emergency? So while on the one hand no study has positively linked titanium dioxide exposure to ovarian cancer, or miscarriages, or UTIs we also simply dont have the science to assure us that this kind of exposure is perfectly safe either. If you prefer to use cardboard applicators, check out these tampons from Oi. I found a TikTok talking about L Organic Tampons and how they have titanium dioxide in them for coloring. That said, well-known brands like Tampax and L. include TiO2 in their products, while brands like Rael, Cora, and The Honey Pot currently do not have this ingredient in their pads or tampons. 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. productslearn more about Let's take a moment to review cotton production and the concept of GMO (genetically modified organism) farming. However, these studies were conducted on mice who orally consumed titanium dioxide, so we'll still need extensive clinical research on humans before we can definitively link TiO2 with reproductive disruptionor assume those risks definitely come from other intakes of the ingredient. So people are like, Okay, it's doing a good thing. 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. A TikTok with more than 3 million views is raising questions about just that. L. Organic Cotton Regular and Super Absorbency Compact Tampons 76CT. The virtual freak out on TikTok over titanium dioxidea natural mineral approved by the Food and Drug Administration that is used in a variety of products, including sunscreen, cosmetics, food,. Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is rare and is caused by a toxic substance that is produced by certain kinds of bacteria. Considering each pack comes with 32 tampons, their price isn't even that bad for an all-organic product! However there is not enough proof showing titanium dioxide coloring in tampons to be harmful. And it functions the same in tampons: Titanium dioxide serves as a coloring agent to make your period products appear whiter, Dr. Gohar says. Best Organic Tampons. And they made that call after food safety officials said it could damage DNA, which could lead to cancer. 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. As Dr. Eyvazzadeh points out, we just don't know either wayno matter how certain Becky on TikTok seems. "[P]revious studies have shown that titanium dioxide can cause alterations to the reproductive system, including reducing the ovarian follicles and leading to the formation of ovarian cysts," she says. It became the first state in the nation to do so. Because of this, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists along with the American Reproductive Medicine Society have published a statement encouraging doctors to discuss environmental exposures including certain chemicals especially before and during pregnancy. 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. The simple answer is nothere is no scientific evidence that organic tampons are safer than other options on the market. Tampons cleared by the FDA are meant to be used one time and then thrown away. Felt they had the same or better absorbency. Are common multivitamins worth the money? I can wear them for as long as necessary and there is no leakage. OK, so what about titanium dioxide in tampons, which sit inside you for hours at a time? 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. In addition, more informative tampon labeling, as well as educational efforts by the FDA and manufacturers, may have contributed to the reduction in TSS cases. Titanium dioxide, or TiO2, is a naturally occurring mineral comprised of titanium and oxygen. 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. If you can find products that don't have them, that's gonna lessen your exposure., Follow the less is more approach: Meaning [the] lowest possible use of anything that has not been tested properly, Dr. Cohen said. But what does it mean for tampons, pads, and reproductive health overall? These options are often referred to as green alternatives and include: By Andrea Chisholm, MD Read reviews and buy Tampax Pure Cotton Tampons - Super - 24ct at Target. 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.. "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. Could you explain as to why this happened to me? That said, ovarian cysts are not that rare, and it is possible that it is just coincidental with the folks using This is L. tampons but certainly there should be enough reason now to investigate if there are connections. You may want to talk with your health care provider about whether tampons are right for you. Heres What Your Bodys Trying to Tell You, National Library of Medicine: Titanium dioxide, U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Questions and Answers: FDA posts deemed final order and proposed order for over-the-counter sunscreen, European Food Safety Authority: Titanium dioxide: E171 no longer considered safe when used as a food additive, U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Code of Federal Regulations Title 21, New Jersey Department of Health: Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet: Titanium Dioxide, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health: Impact of Food Additive Titanium Dioxide on Gut Microbiota Composition, Microbiota-Associated Functions, and Gut Barrier: A Systematic Review of In Vivo Animal Studies. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Bottom line: "When it comes to period products, the priority should be using products that you feel comfortable with and are accessible to you," he says. Try These OB-GYN-Recommended, Titanium Dioxide-Free Period Products Rael Organic Cotton Tampons ($13.99 for a 32-count box on Amazon.com) August Tampons ($11 for a 16-count box on Itsaugust.co) Diva Cup ($39.99 for one menstrual cup on Divacup.com) Advertisement references Is this an emergency? But I can tell you this cyst has made my job exhausting and totally draining chasing my toddler around. What is great is that we are reading the ingredients on these products and asking important questions about their safety. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. We should be able to make a period product that does not lead to cysts! In addition, Gunter stated that this wouldnt apply anyway because no one is washing a tampon and reusing it, anyway. 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. PO Box 8743 Is it possible todays feminine hygiene products are exposing me to cancer-causing chemicals? Tampons are designed to be inserted into the vagina with or without an applicator. So what do you do instead? Read our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions. The toxic substance produced by the bacteria can cause organ damage (including kidney, heart, and liver failure), shock, and even death. 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. [My container] doesnt say it, but its getting thrown out regardless, because how can I consciously just be like, Oh sure, yeah, I trust you. So yeah, go check your fucking box and if you had any adverse symptoms like her, call a fucking lawyer.. 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 also worth being skeptical of any definitive claims that titanium dioxide in tampons is super harmful. And live a healthy lifestyle. He studied Global Health at Georgetown University and has a Medical Degree from Ben-Gurion University.