Organic tampons and other period products are widely touted as being healthier and better for the environment. Do they stack up?
From the first menstrual cycle to the onset of menopause, the average woman will use about 9,120 tampons in her lifetime. (For heavier flows, the amount is upwards of 13,000.) And since the absorbent plugs spend a lot of time wedged inside the body, women deserve to know what’s lurking in their tampons. Period.
From synthetic fibers and artificial fragrances to chemical additives and plastics — tampons could be harboring more harmful ingredients than good. So, for a non-toxic period, many women have switched to more natural options like organic tampons. Widely touted as the healthier and more sustainable option, how much better are they compared to regular tampons? And should women consider making the switch?
From the use of rags to that of sea sponges, menstrual products have certainly evolved over the years.In ancient Egypt, resourceful women used papyrus to staunch their flow. Across the Mediterranean Sea in Rome, women fashioned pads out of wool. And in Indonesia, women opted for vegetable fibers to absorb blood during that time of the month.
It wasn’t until 1931 that Colorado physician Earle Haas patented the first applicator tampon, which he marketed as “Tampax.” (Flax gauze tampons were available before that in the 1920s, however, they didn’t have applicators or strings.)
Fast forward to today and a plethora of tampon products are widely stocked on store shelves. To be sold in the U.S., tampons must be cleared as “safe and effective” by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates them as medical devices. Tampons must be made from cotton, rayon, or a blend of both, and manufacturers must submit testing results on the safety of the materials used to make them.However, one look at the ingredients list on the back of a tampon box is enough to make anyone pause.
A 2018 study by the environmental group Women’s Voices for the Earth found toxic ingredients lurking in several popular tampon brands. “The potential impact of toxic chemical exposure from tampons on health is significant because they are worn internally, with direct contact to some of the most sensitive and absorptive skin on a woman’s body,” Alex Scranton, the group’s Director of Science and Research, wrote in a blog post.
She added: “Despite the widespread use of tampons by numerous women, relatively little research has been conducted to assess the health impacts of chemical exposure from these products.”
Take a box of Tampax Pearl tampons, for example. The ingredients list includes the basics — rayon and cotton. But it also features polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, glycerin, paraffin, ethoxylated fatty acid esters, PEG-100 stearate, and titanium dioxide. Derived from petroleum, paraffin — a wax that keeps tampon strings clean — has been found to contain known carcinogens like toluene and benzene. Although they’re “practically” non-toxic, ethoxylated fatty acid esters are minor skin irritants.
The emollient PEG-100 stearate, which helps tampon fibers wick fluid, is made using the carcinogen ethylene oxide. Its by-product, 1,4-dioxane, has been linked to breast and uterine cancers. And while the verdict is still out on whether or not titanium dioxide — which is used to make tampons look whiter — is carcinogenic in humans.
Scented tampons feature much the same ingredients in addition to fragrance chemicals like phthalates, which are found in plastic applicators, too. Known endocrine disruptors, studies have linked phthalates to a host of health issues, such as asthma, diabetes, and even breast cancer. According to Dr. Stephanie Hack, MD/MPH, an OB/GYN and founder of the women’s health platform Lady Parts Doctor, these chemicals are found in relatively minor amounts. “As far as we know, the amounts of these chemicals in non-organic brands are very small and unlikely to impact your health,” she tells Ethos. “However, more research is needed. When in doubt, it’s better to avoid additional chemical exposure if possible.”
Are organic tampons better?
Made from 100 percent organic cotton, organic tampons are typically free from pesticides, fragrances, and dyes. But that doesn’t always mean they’re toxin-free. Similar to regular tampons, organic tampons may still contain trace amounts of titanium dioxide — which the FDA says is safe in regulated amounts — and other chemicals.
“Organic tampons may result in less exposure to potentially harmful chemicals than non-organic tampons,” Dr. Hack explains. “Many organic tampon brands claim not to have BPA, dyes, pesticides, chlorides, and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals.”
So, are organic tampons better? Although they may decrease exposure to toxic ingredients, they do still run the risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome, a life-threatening bacterial infection that can be caused by an overgrowth of bacteria in women wearing tampons. And, even though they’re marketed as natural, not all organic menstrual products are entirely waste-free. Some organic tampons and pads still come wrapped in single-use plastics, such as Tampax Pure Cotton and Veeda 100% Natural Cotton.
For a plastic-free period, opt for organic period care brands like Rael and O.B. Organic instead. All in all, when it comes to using organic tampons, it’s a simple matter of personal choice. “I recommend women use whatever they feel comfortable using,” says Dr. Hack. “From disposable to reusable products there are so many options, and it’s often very personal.”
Sustainable, non-toxic menstrual products
In some ways, today’s menstrual market mirrors the time before Kotex, where reusable products were the standard. But with our evolution comes innovation across the category from period undies to cups, and more.
Period underwear
The biggest trend in sustainable menstrual products right now is period underwear. Leak-proof period underwear offers some of the biggest sustainability benefits even without being made from sustainable materials; they reduce the need for pads, tampons, and cups and all the packaging and waste that comes with it. But there are other products, too, and a range of brands to choose from.
Saalt
Known for its reusable menstrual cups, Boise, Idaho-based Saalt ventured into the popular period underwear category early in the pandemic, launching Saalt Wear. It’s the first brand to tout a product made from upcycled plastic bottles.
“Since the pandemic, we’ve seen an increased interest in people trying reusable products, likely because they can try something new from the comfort of their home,” Saalt’s CEO and co-founder Cherie Hoeger said last year.
“Our Saalt Wear line is sustainably sourced, plus-size & skin-tone inclusive, and will keep you drier than any other period underwear on the market.” Hoeger said.
The sustainable period underwear is made with polyester that comes from recycled plastic water bottles. The products are also certified PFAS-free—PFAS are “forever chemicals” that have been linked to human health and environmental issues.
They’re also certified OEKO-TEX, meaning the materials are certified to be free of hazardous chemicals and their components.
And the underwear works, too. Saalt Wear absorbs as much as three tampons-worth of blood. The products come in a range of cuts including thong, cheeky, and even lacy styles.
Thinx
The leader in the period underwear category, Thinx reduces the need for disposable period products and can absorb as much as five tampons’ worth of blood. The brand recently began offering organic cotton options, too, for a more sustainable product offering.
Thinx is an inclusive brand with gender-neutral styles and sizes that go up to 3X to fit as many body types as possible.
Aisle
The most size-inclusive brand on the market, Aisle goes up to 5X and includes a range of styles and cuts. Aisle is big on sustainable materials, too, using Tencel, recycled polyester, and organic cotton.
The brand is no stranger to period products. It used to b called Lunapads, and made reusable cotton menstrual pads for years that would snap around your undies. There’s some element of that here with the brand’s Boosters, which are inserts you can add in for heavier days as needed.
Menstrual cups
Not quite a tampon, not quite a diaphragm (do they still make those?), menstrual cups are inserted into the vagina and rest up around the cervix. Unlike pads or tampons, cups collect, they don’t absorb. Products that absorb can remove your body’s natural moisture and lead to irritation, yeast infections, and other issues.
Products and lifespans can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, but all will generally be similar. Just be sure you’re washing and drying them thoroughly to prevent introducing any bacteria upon insertion.
Intimina Ziggy Cup
Menstrual cups have been available for a while, but Intimina says its revolutionary Ziggy design truly feels like it’s not even there. You can even have sex with it in. The thin, flexible material is BPA-free, phthalate-free, and contains no harmful chemicals, bleaches, or allergens.
Ziggy can be washed and reused for up to two years.
Lunette Cup
Made with soft, medical grade silicone, Lunette is BPA and chemical-free. The company says all products ar produced with the highest standards, testing, and love. Its cup sizes run the range from teens to post-birth bodies. It’s not compact like Ziggy, but it’s easy to get in and out with a little handle, and easy to clean. Can be worn for 12 hours at a time.
Cora
The Cora menstrual cup is one of the longest-lasting products on the market. The company says it’s good for a decade. Easy to insert and remove, it’s also a good “starter” cup for new menstruators. Its size options run from body type to flow type so you can find the perfect cup. The company is a supporter of menstrual health across the world with give-back programs in Kenya, India, and the U.S.
Reusable pads
Reusable pads are a revelation. Unlike the sticky disposable kind that can stick to all the wrong places, reusable pads typically snap or button around your undies easily. They’re super simple to clean and you can adjust the pads for heavier or lighter days. While these might not be practical to use out of the house for long periods of time unless you don’t mind carrying around a used pad, they’re the perfect option for the remote home-office worker, too. They’re also great starters for new menstruators who may want a bit more control than period undies offer.
Rael
Free from toxic chemicals, Rael’s organic cotton pads do the job of absorbing blood while being comfortable and breathable. Each pad contains five laters of organic cotton. Rael’s pads come in a range of sizes and support any type of flow.
Aisle
Just like Aisle’s period underwear, its reusable pads are sustainably and ethically made with organic cotton and recycled polyester. They come in a range of sizes and flow levels, and the certified B Corp company even offers a quiz to help you find the best pad for you.
Reusable tampon applicators and eco tampons
Sometimes, carrying around used pads or undies isn’t an option. And if you’re spending the day at Coachella, say, rinsing out a menstrual cup next to the port-a-potties isn’t realistic, either. But you can make your tampon use a bit more sustainable by opting for a reusable applicator. They can be wiped down easily in any bathroom situation and store easily.
Dame reusable applicator
Dame claims to be the world’s first reusable tampon applicator. Its award-winning design makes insertion easy and comfortable, but without the waste. Dame says its applicator can be used an astonishing 12,000 times—about the average number of period products used in a lifetime. It contains a self-sanitizing technology to help reduce the risk of infections. And when you order from Dame, the purchase also comes with organic tampons.
Cora organic tampons
For emergencies or those situations where a cup, pads, or undies won’t do it, organic cotton tampons can be life (or dress!) savers. They’re made with certified organic cotton, without pesticides, dioxins, chlorine, or fragrance so you can be sure you’re putting the cleanest product in your body. Cora offers tampons with or without an applicator. The applicator is BPA-free plastic, but the best option for the plant is a reusable applicator. The organic tampons come in sizes for light to heavy days.
Related on Ethos:
- How the Biggest Brands Are Tackling the Plastic Problem
- The Best Underwear Brands That Fit Everybody, From Ethical Boxers and Briefs to Bikinis
- LastObject Makes Fighting the Incalculable Single-Use Problem Easier Than Making Trash
- The Ultimate Eco Flex: Compost Your Underwear
- Reusable Water Bottles for Eco-Friendly Hydration
