", If you do decide to give organic tampons a try, Dr. Ross recommends checking the box for ingredients before buying. "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. Never ever in my life have had an ovarian cyst. ", One shopper wrote, "I used to use Tampax, but things changed as I got older and I needed something more absorbent and more comfortable. Wash your hands before and after using a tampon. "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. The tampons are made from 100% organic cotton that is both soft and breathable. "But it's the dose, it's the route that makes the 'poison,' and so just because something might cause lung cancer, for example, doesn't mean it's going to cause an issue in a tampon. 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. She stressed that its important to remember that correlation in this case does not equal causation. TikTok is a powerful platform thats influencing peoples lives including their physical health. Chemicals are everywhere. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); (function(d, s, id) { Titanium dioxide is a white powder and a common ingredient in many products. 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. Information reported to MedWatch helps the FDA to ensure tampons remain safe and effective. 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. 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. Should you be splurging to make your body less acidic? tampons can provide protection for up to 8 hours at a time, making them a good option for overnight use. This will help reduce the spread of bacteria. This means that farmers could use this herbicide to kill the weeds in their fields without worrying about it harming the cotton crops. Even better, organic tampons also typically use more eco-friendly applicators, such as biodegradable cardboard or BPA-free plastic applicators that are derived from plant-based materials. Including how tampons affect vaginal bacteria. I won't use any other brands after these. And remember, this is inhaled TiO2 atveryhigh levels much higher than the small amount of TiO2 in the strings of tampons. I wear zero makeup. L. Organic Cotton Regular and Super Absorbency Compact Tampons 76CT. How Bad Is It Really to Use Baby Powder 'Down There?'. Find him on Instagram@dr.daignault. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. How well do you know the ingredients in the foods you eat or products you use every day? While you may have heard about reusable tampons, the FDA has not cleared or approved these products. womensvoices@womensvoices.org. And many of these chemicals have been associated with contributing to cancer and other medical problems. It is thought that exposure to the developing fetus may be the time when these chemicals have some of the most significant impacts on future health. After August 7, the EU is banning it. Given the mixed reviews on the substance, it's obvious why some are concerned about consuming it. "I highly recommend these tampons," wrote one customer. But first. No tampon should be used more than once. According to the company, TiO2 represents less than 0.1% of all the ingredients they use to manufacture their tampons. A recent TikTok video went viral with thefalse claim that the titanium dioxide used in L. brand organic tampons is responsible for miscarriages, cancerand a host of other medical problems. Certainly the laws and the regulatory issues are so paramount because that's how we got into this pickle to begin with, Dr. Cohen said. Marino emphasized that this is only when the mineral is inhaled and that it has only been demonstrated to be a true concern in rats, not humans. And how can we learn more about the products were using? 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. And that is what I encourage you all to do to contact the manufacturers of the products you use. The thread is so soft and they absorb perfectly. Aka a common coloring agent. This finding prompted the European Union to ban TiO2 as a food additive earlier this year, but in the U.S., the ingredient is still considered to be safe in food at the limits set by the FDA. I cant guarantee that the FDA will take any immediate action, but it can help get their attention, if they see a number of reports associated with a product. As shown in the viral TikTok video, some organic tampons contain titanium dioxide as a bleaching agent. It's used in sunscreen, all kinds of cosmetics, medications, and you'll find it in food. A world where workers are treated with dignity from our paychecks to our working conditions. 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.. "Organic tampons are available as an alternative for women who prefer to go this route," said Dr. Ross. var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; And since the chemical is in the cotton plant it will also be in the cotton produced from the plant. "They come in two different sizesregular and superwhich are very convenient depending on the day. Over the years, companies like Dunkin have announced theyre cutting ties with titanium dioxide (which used it for its powdered donuts). When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Health First: A Cleaning Products Industry Roadmap for Selecting Safer Chemicals, Beyond the Label: Health Impacts of Harmful Ingredients in Cleaning Products, https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/index.cfm?action=consumer.reporting1, More Period Policies are Addressing Ingredient Safety and Transparency, Thinx PFAS Lawsuit Also Calls Attention to Nanosilver Concerns, Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022: MOCRA Explained, First US approval of indoor air disinfectant draws NGO criticism, Johnson & Johnson Will Discontinue Talc-Based Baby Powder Globally in 2023. Here are 11 organic tampons that reviewers love. The problem is, although the cotton is resistant to the effects of the herbicide glyphosate, the chemical is still absorbed by the plant. Lifetime customer here. TiO2 It is mined from the Earth and then processed into an inorganic solid white compound most commonlyused as a pigment in paints, food coloring, sunscreenand cosmetic products. of using pads and tampons with titanium dioxidewe just don't know for certain. (That's slowly changing after New York passed a law requiring ingredients lists on menstrual products sold in the state). Titanium Dioxide, or TiO2, is a white coloring agent used in cosmetic products, toothpaste, deodorant, desserts and paint. Making a purchase through our links may earn Well+Good a commission. "They're organic, and I love how compact they are! They are comfortable and easy to use, just make sure you press down completely on the applicator before removing (it sort of 'clicks' together). You can opt-out at any time. our process. 4.7 out of 5 stars. Pain Inserting a Tampon? OK, so what about titanium dioxide in tampons, which sit inside you for hours at a time? Sign up for the Daily Skimm email newsletter. Do you need an 'armpit detox?' You may be surprised to learn that the FDA regulates tampons as medical devices. 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? And even heard from the company behind the tampons in question. Experts that spoke to Gizmodo also insisted that there is no evidence that titanium dioxide in tampons, other topical products (sunscreen), and food is unsafe to humans as it currently used. Along with being hypoallergenic and dermatologist-tested, the tampons feature twisted organic cotton fibers for added absorbency. There are several health concerns regarding TiO2. During clinical trials the amount of titanium dioxide used have not shown any increased health risks and there have been no big outbreaks of things like ovarian cysts associated with titanium oxide tampons. I think seeking solace and guidance from your physician is key because they may also help clarify [and] help with any anxieties that all this information can provoke., Plan for the future: Scranton encourages people to make calls, send emails, and write reviews to the companies or lawmakers in your life. Gizmodo reached out to TikTok multiple times on Thursday to ask if it would take any action on content crying wolf about the dangers of titanium dioxide and tampons but did not receive a response. I started switching to organic food, so why not beauty/hygiene products as well? We are committed to working for justice and equity, and are in solidarity with social, racial, and environmental justice organizations to build community, understanding and honest dialogue to address the root causes of violence, harm and hate. The site is secure. "While most cosmetic products will disclose whether or not titanium dioxide is an ingredientsome states require itit is important to note that the FDA does not currently require brands to disclose this information.". Lets look at the concerns around todays feminine hygiene products, specifically national brand tampons and pads. Rebecca Carhart is a Senior Ecommerce Reviews Writer covering home, fashion, beauty, and lifestyle products. Price at time of publication: $16 for 20 count. 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. 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. One of the tricky things about titanium dioxide is that it can be consumed in a myriad of ways, making risk calculation difficult. For more details, see our Privacy Policy. Experts resounding answer: We dont have enough data. And suggested that the tampons from This Is L Inc are causing ovarian cysts. The chemical substance also seems to have a potentially negative impact on the gut microbiome, Dr. Gohar says. Shipping details. A company spokesperson told theSkimm that the ingredient represents much less than 0.1% of all ingredients used in a [P&G] tampon. And said its been used safely for years. With 8 million views, this instance shows the impact of a TikTokdespite the actual evidence to the contrary. Most importantly, reviewers say the tampons are both comfortable and absorbent. Dr. Katrine Wallace, an epidemiologist and adjunct assistant professor at University of Illinois at Chicago, is another debunker of TikTok misinformation and has more than 267,000 followers on the platform. Below, Dr. Eyvazzadeh and Erin Flynn, MPH, DNP/FNP, an LGBTQ+ care expert with birth control startup Favor, share the complicated truth behind this question. Are There Toxic Chemicals in Your Tampons? ", Price at time of publication: $10 for 16 count. 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. For more information on TSS, see the tampon safety tips, below. The agency could not rule out potential damage to DNA,but this is much different than the agency stating there was an identified cause and effect. 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. It's also is often used to make things like paint, and most relevant for our purposes, it's used to make pads and tampons appear whiter. I am not into social media. "When properly tested, regular tampons are safe and free of harmful chemicals. Love, love, love it. So the million-dollar question: is it safe to have titanium dioxide in pads and tampons? Activated charcoal benefits explained:Does it actually prevent hangovers? Visit our press room or contact our communications director. I have been researching health impacts of pads and tampons for nearly a decade, so I love having all this new ingredient info. But no matter what your period product preference, you shouldn't be worried about whether it can harm your health. I wish I could explain what has happened to you and to the others who have responded to the viral TikToks with similar stories of their own. 2023Well+Good LLC. Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is rare and is caused by a toxic substance that is produced by certain kinds of bacteria. While paying $300 a month for health insurance. These [are comfortable and] do what they need to, and I don't need to worry about leaks the way I used to. As to whether its nanoparticals in the string or not, once blood an other fluids touches the chemical its most likely all fusing together and that is going inside our very sensitive systems. 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. TikTokers are raising concern about titanium dioxide, a whitening agent, in organic tampons. And as of March 2022, the FDA maintains its position that titanium dioxide may be safely used as a food coloring. "They're easy to use, easily concealable, and give me ease of mind that I'm doing something good for the environment. 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. This is misleading; the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the compound's use in food and cosmetics, and experts say no studies have proven a link between tampon strings and cancer in humans. Titanium dioxide is commonly found in countless everyday products including food, cosmetics, drugs, paper and toothpaste. Titanium dioxide is common chemical. Its used in sunscreen, all kinds of cosmetics, medications, and youll find it in food. So heres a refresher: Titanium dioxide is a naturally occurring mineral. 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. One shopper called the Top tampons a "must try" before adding, "I've used many different brands of organic tampons. Tampons are designed to be inserted into the vagina with or without an applicator.
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