What’s hiding in your cotton tampons: 5 Toxins in Your Cotton Tampons

When we go to the store to buy feminine hygiene products, we often don’t give a second thought about what they’re made of. Tampons and pads are necessities and part of being a woman.

Unfortunately, the manufacturers of tampons and pads do not have to list ingredients on their boxes because they are considered medical devices. If you dive a little deeper and do some research however you find a variety of chemicals used to make these products that are not good for you or your vaginal health. 

When chemicals are absorbed by the skin, they are stored in fat cells and not released from the body. The skin around the vaginal area is thin and chemicals are absorbed easily leaving the delicate vaginal area susceptible to absorbing almost any thing that comes in contact with it. Keep reading to learn some of the chemicals used in the manufacturing of feminine products that you may not be aware of:

Chlorine Bleach- Chlorine releases dioxin from the rayon (see below). Dioxin is a known cancer-causing agent linked to a variety of diseases including chloracne, an acne-like skin condition which is a trademark of dioxin exposure. Dioxin can potentially cause:

• Developmental problems in children
• Infertility
• Interference with hormones
• Immune system damage

Pesticides – Tampons and pads are made of non-organic cotton. Cotton crops are heavily sprayed with pesticides. This increases the chance that there are pesticides present in the products you are using, which may be absorbed by the body. 

Aluminum- aluminum has been associated with cancer and Alzheimer’s. It’s sometimes used in the manufacturing of tampons and traces may be found in cotton. 

Rayon- Rayon is a synthetic material made of sawdust. Dioxin is a byproduct of wood. When it is bleached with the chlorine it results in traces of dioxin. Rayon is also associated with Toxic Shock Syndrome

Fragrance - When you put something scented in or around your vaginal area, it kills the good bacteria, which causes the bad bacteria to grow 

Choose safe alternatives. When choosing feminine products, you should know what you are exposing yourself to. Choose Yonitox made from organic cotton and free from harmful chemicals.