"Let it be known that though it may happen early for many, becoming a tampon person takes a lot of courage. From the first time you have to insert one to people scaring you with stories of toxic shock syndrome to bizarre religious pushback, women already go through it when it comes to using tampons. Unfortunately, that complicated relationship just got even more complicated because researchers just found over a dozen metals in tampons that are being sold in the U.S. and Europe.
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We all know that women’s health is under-researched and under-regulated to begin with, but tampons are an everyday consumer product, which raises the stakes. Here’s everything you need to know.
Why we’re talking about tampons
Here’s what’s new in the world of menstrual products: A study published in Environmental International revealed that researchers tested 30 tampons from 14 different brands and found lead in all 30 of them. Naturally, this set off alarm bells, and the researchers called for greater regulation in the manufacturing of tampons based on their discovery. No specific brands were named in the study, but researchers most likely tested big brand names like Tampax and Playtex.
The study was published on June 22, 2024, but has recently picked up coverage from The New York Times, NBC, and USA Today. Given that the results of the study are raising eyebrows, we wondered: Are we still using tampons? And if not, what are we using instead?
Are there other metals in tampons?
In addition to testing for lead, the researchers looked for arsenic, barium, calcium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, mercury, nickel, lead, selenium, strontium, vanadium, and zinc in the tampons. They found all 16 of these metals in one of the products they tested.
So, yes, there are metals in tampons. Since the study was limited, there’s no way of knowing exactly where these metals come from. However, there are two most likely sources: One is the soil where the cotton and rayon used to make tampons are grown, and the other is the use of antimicrobials intended to control odor in the manufacturing process.
Are tampons safe to use?
The big question after the results of this study is whether these metals actually leach out of tampons and into the vagina. Vaginal skin is sensitive and super permeable, so finding out the answer to this question is important. If the answer is yes, it would mean that these metals are entering the bloodstream through the vagina. Also, substances that enter the bloodstream this way bypass the liver (it’s possible you heard of this fact while in college), so there would be virtually no filtering of the metals if they were leaching out.
The study did not show whether these chemicals leach into the bloodstream, so we don’t know yet whether tampons are safe to use.
With all of that said, the study did not show whether these chemicals leach into the bloodstream, so we don’t know yet whether tampons are safe to use. Further research will need to be done to get the answer to that question. Jenni Shearston, a postdoctoral scholar at the University of Berkeley California School of Public Health and one of the researchers on the study, told CBS, “We cannot yet say that people should not be using tampons. So far, what we know is that metals are present in all the samples we tested. However, we do not know yet if metals leach out of the tampon and whether they are absorbed by the body. We therefore cannot yet assess to what extent (if any) metals in tampons contribute to any health problems.”
Right now, the Food and Drug Administration is reviewing the study’s findings. However, the administration cannot tell people not to use the product until researchers determine whether the metals are released out of the tampon and into the vagina or the bloodstream. So, tampons are officially safe to use until further notice… but if the idea of sticking lead up your vag kinda freaks you out (same???), now might be a good time to start casually exploring alternatives.
What are the safest tampons to wear?
According to Betches News, the study found that organic tampons contained less lead but more arsenic than non-organic ones, which is a real bummer. However, organic tampons are less likely to have added fragrances or chemicals to reduce odors, so they are likely the safest bet for tampons to wear. When you’re shopping, seek out brands that are organic, unscented, scent-free, and have minimal processing through companies that are transparent about their manufacturing processes. Yes, that checklist is way too much to ask of a consumer, but that’s still your best bet for getting a tampon that’s chemical-free.
Importantly, “scent-free” and “unscented” are not the same thing. “Scent-free” means that the tampon has no natural or synthetic scents added at all, while “unscented” means that chemicals have been added to reduce odor, even if the chemicals themselves don’t smell. This means that “scent-free” is likely your best bet if you’re trying to avoid all added chemicals while tampon shopping.
Tampon alternatives
If all of this has totally given you the heebie-jeebies about tampons altogether, there are plenty of alternatives to explore. Menstrual cups are probably the most popular alternative to tampons, and they’re known for being more eco-friendly. You could also use a menstrual disc, which is similar to a cup but wider in diameter and not reusable. Period underwear is certainly another alternative, with a lining that absorbs moisture that can be washed and reused, as are reusable cloth pads.
So, are we using tampons still?
TLDR: Since the FDA hasn’t said that people shouldn’t be using tampons based on the results of this study, we can all officially use the products as normal. Your body is yours, so the choice of whether or not you want to swap out your tampons now that these metals have been found in the product is up to you. Of course, it would be awesome if instead of having to try alternatives, we could all just use the product in peace and trust that they’re safe. Until then, though, we’ll just have to trust that the FDA is on the case and continue yapping about our collective tampon trauma!
Emma Ginsberg, Editorial & Podcast Assistant
Emma is a writer, editor, and podcast producer who has been creating at The Everygirl since 2021. She writes for all sections on the site, but she especially loves helping out with narrative essay and opinion projects. She has a degree in American Studies and spends her days keeping an eye out for any and all hot topics women on the internet are talking about.