Are You Using Toxic Tampons?

You might use up to 17,000 or more tampons/pads in a lifetime! This part of your body is one of the most sensitive to toxins. The effects of toxins here can therefore be dangerous to your overall health.

This is where conventional tampons fail. Despite the commercials and advertisements of smiling women skydiving and horseback-riding, conventional tampons are TOXIC.

WHY ARE TAMPONS TOXIC?

You would be surprised how many ingredients are actually in a tampon that that potentially harmful when absorbed into the human body.

Contrary to popular belief, often there is no natural cotton present (even though the label may lead you to believe there is). Instead, a synthetic version of cotton is generally used and these synthetic, tree-derived materials are NOTHING like cotton and can present a danger to your health. These fibers can be left behind inside our bodies. Even the applicators can be laced with toxic chemicals.

HOW HAS THIS BEEN ALLOWED TO HAPPEN?

In a major loophole of the $2 billion dollar industry that is the feminine hygiene domain, manufacturers of tampons and sanitary pads are not required to disclose the ingredients of such products because they are technically classified as a ‘medical device’.

In addition, the US Food and Drug Administration (USDA) does not have mandatory safety guidelines for the materials used in feminine hygiene products.

These companies pretty much have free reign to put whatever chemicals they want to put in tampons.

LIST OF TOXINS

So what are these toxins? Some of the ingredients used in conventional tampons/pads include

• Polypropylene - a ‘silk ease’ covering and coating pads.
• Rayon – a product made from cellulose fibers derived from chlorine-bleached wood pulp.
• Viscose – a form of wood cellulose acetate that’s fabricated to have a cotton-like touch.
• Dioxin – a byproduct of chlorine bleaching and a serious public health threat, with no safe level of exposure (according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)).
• Infinicel – a trademarked highly absorbent material designed to hold up to ten times its weight (with the ingredients a highly guarded secret, so they could be anything!).
• Phthalates – a toxin and known endocrine disruptor, which gives tampon applicators their shiny glossy finish.
• Odor neutralizers and artificial fragrances – a myriad of chemicals including artificial colors, polyester, adhesives, polyethylene (PET), propylene glycol (PEG) and other such contaminants.
• Latex – a binder on the surface of pads and liners, and a potential allergen.
• Genetically modified organisms – a certainty almost, with 94% of all cotton planted in the U.S. genetically engineered (USDA).
• Conventional cotton – a material which is the third most heavily insecticide/herbicide-treated crop in the U.S (USDA), with nine of the most common pesticides used on cotton highly toxic, and five of those, probable carcinogens (EPA).

When you think that these products are placed next to one of the most absorbent and sensitive parts of the female body, it is alarming.

SYMPTOMS OF TAMPON TOXICITY

The use of conventional tampons has been linked to:

• Headaches
• Migraines
• Allergic reactions and irritation
• Endometriosis symptoms
• Immune system suppression
• Hormonal and endocrine system disruption
• Irregular menstrual flow
• Absorption of GMOs
• Increased period pain
• Infertility
• Abnormal tissue growth in the abdomen and reproductive organs (which can lead to breast, cervical and ovarian cancer)
• Abnormal cell growth throughout the body

What are the alternatives?

Use natural tampons/pads made from 100% cotton, preferably certified organic! Aren’t you worth it?

Here is one reputable resource:

http://shop.mercola.com/catalog/feminine-products,65,0,0.htm

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