No tampon should be used more than once. According to Dr. Aly Cohen, founder & medical director of The Smart Human LLC, all of these studies are different. For all I know at this time, titanium dioxide in pads and tampons might be just fine, but Im not sure we have the science to prove it. Keep in mind that sometimes titanium dioxide might also be listed as white pigment or pigment white 6 so look for those terms as well. (That's slowly changing after New York passed a law requiring ingredients lists on menstrual products sold in the state). Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Bottom line: "When it comes to period products, the priority should be using products that you feel comfortable with and are accessible to you," he says. The problem is, although the cotton is resistant to the effects of the herbicide glyphosate, the chemical is still absorbed by the plant. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. However, there are no trials to validate this finding in humans. These products are made from cotton and it is actually the cotton contained in these products that are the potential problem. And that's a really good thing to drive science [and] safer products. ", These organic cotton tampons from Rael have a near-perfect rating on Amazon thanks to their leak-locking technology and ultra-slim BPA-free applicator that glides in easily and comfortably. Heres What Your Bodys Trying to Tell You, National Library of Medicine: Titanium dioxide, U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Questions and Answers: FDA posts deemed final order and proposed order for over-the-counter sunscreen, European Food Safety Authority: Titanium dioxide: E171 no longer considered safe when used as a food additive, U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Code of Federal Regulations Title 21, New Jersey Department of Health: Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet: Titanium Dioxide, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health: Impact of Food Additive Titanium Dioxide on Gut Microbiota Composition, Microbiota-Associated Functions, and Gut Barrier: A Systematic Review of In Vivo Animal Studies. TikTokers are raising concern about titanium dioxide, a whitening agent, in organic tampons. Stressing itll rupture or cause my ovary to twist while my husband is hours away. 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. Dr. Cohen agrees, saying its important to hold legislators to a higher standard in making sure that they follow through with legislation that really does make sense, like the New York policy.. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Ask them how they are ensuring the safety of their tampons and pads. People have gotten into a debate over whether or not organic tampons and pads shorten the length of menstrual cycles. Because even my doctor was very confused. Hundreds of Amazon shoppers love these organic cotton tampons from Seventh Generation because of their comfortable, dual-layer design that prevents leaks. Including. Subscribe to receive Consumer Updates email notifications. Here's why: sometimes the substance is also noted as "Pigment White 6" or "White Pigment," Dr. Gohar explains. When Aunt Flo makes her monthly visit, some people prefer pads, while other swear by menstrual cups or tampons. }(document, 'script', 'advocacy-actionwidget-code')); Womens Voices for the Earth Ingestion: likely not harmful at the low levels we typically encounter it. Here's what the experts suggest Keep it simple: Things like colorants, whiteners, and fragrances are not necessary to the product, Scranton said. You can opt-out at any time. Everyone deserves to live in a healthy and safe environment. It's mainly used for color. But titanium dioxide's possible deleterious effects extend beyond ingesting it. Reusable tampons may carry additional risks of infections such as yeast, fungal, and bacterial infections. An official website of the United States government, Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts, The Facts on Tamponsand How to Use Them Safely. We all know social media is a breeding ground for misinformation and disinformation. "Similar to choosing organic vegetables, it's an alternative, but not necessarily better or safer for women to consume. According to the brand, the tampons feature a unique design that keeps "fluids locked in the core for added security. Inhaling titanium dioxide while you're painting a room or working on a construction site, for example, may irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. The FDA has found that regulated amounts of titanium dioxide are considered safe. If you have sensitive skin, these hypoallergenic, certified organic cotton tampons from Cora might be just what you're looking for. Organyc 100% Certified Organic Cotton Tampons. The tampons themselves are made from 100% organic cotton and have been produced using sustainable and ethical processes. These are by far the most comfortable, reliable, and absorbent. Though some research identified a link between the . 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. What we have now is some really interesting studies on titanium dioxide, showing that there's a disruption of the gut microbiome when you ingest it, Dr. Cohen said. Not only are the tampons made from 100% certified organic cotton, but the rounded cardboard applicators are fully biodegradable, making them a fantastic eco-friendly product. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. The 12-page complaint says that despite the front-label promise that the tampons are entirely organic, they contain the non-organic ingredients polyester, glycerin, paraffin and titanium dioxide . It neutralizes smell as well. Some. This needs to be properly investigated. And Scranton thinks that the more people read and learn about what theyre using, the more likely theyll push for change. ", Price at time of publication: $12.74 for 16 count. Peter Weiss, MD, is a board-certified OB/GYN and expert in women's health. The compound is used safely in many foods and cosmetics, but it's still banned in foods in the UK.. Hundreds of Walmart shoppers have given the tampons a near-perfect rating, with many raving about how they're absorbent and comfortable. Shoppers love that these organic Tampax tampons have an applicator that is comfortable and easy to use. Morgans TikTok has received more than 30,000 comments on the platform and spurred countlessvideoresponses from other users and creators swearing off L. tampons and any other tampons with titanium dioxide. Now that you know the difference between organic and non-organic tampons, if you are looking to make the switch to more eco-friendly period products, we've got you covered. Get it daily. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals or EDCs can act like the naturally occurring hormones in your body. ", Price at time of publication: $6.95 for 16 count. I changed them every 2-3 hours, and even then I'd feel dry and chaffed or just felt them there. Some tampons include titanium dioxide, which makes them appear whiter and brighter. This lack of data is incredibly frustrating, given that 26 percent of the global population are of reproductive age and presumably using pads and tampons on the regular to manage their cycles. No issues with the applicator and love the discreet packaging. It's used in sunscreen, toothpaste, some food, and it is used to whiten the string of tampons. Not surprisingly, because it is easier to spray weeds than it is to remove them by hand or machine, farmers started using more and more of this herbicide. 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. Titanium dioxide doesnt dissolve in water, meaning the nanoparticles arent going to dissolve from the tampon string and get into the blood that might be pooling in the vagina and then get absorbed by the body, she wrote. "When properly tested, regular tampons are safe and free of harmful chemicals. By now, you may have seen the viral video of the girl finding Titanium Dioxide and Polyester in her L Organic tampons and what's crazy is, I even had some of the same brand here at home. 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. TiO2 was nevertheless banned as a food additive in the EU as of this month. 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. Rates of reported TSS cases associated with tampons have declined significantly over the years. This is totally safe.. Dr. Jennifer Gunter, an OB/GYN and frequent debunker of outrageous and fake advice online, is one of the doctors that came out this week to try to reassure individuals that their tampons were not toxic death sticks.. If something is white, it often has titanium dioxide. More: Which supplements are most likely to land you in the ER? When inhaled repeatedly, this white powder can irritate the lungs, causing problems like bronchitis or even lung cancer, as it's been shown to be a known carcinogen in animals, according to the New Jersey Department of Health. While paying $300 a month for health insurance. I used this exact brand. Theres also period underwear. They also like the fact that the tampons are gynecologist-approved and from a women-owned business. Should you be splurging to make your body less acidic? Theres even a lawsuit alleging that the candy company Mars, which makes Skittles, didnt inform its customers about the potential taste the rainbow dangers of titanium dioxide in its product. of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911. 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. It's also worth being skeptical of any definitive claims that titanium dioxide in tampons is super harmful. All rights reserved. If you prefer to use cardboard applicators, check out these tampons from Oi. by theorganicbunny on August 3, 2022. Still, more studies in humans need to be performed to verify this finding. ", Price at time of publication: $7.95 for 14 count. Since the heaviness of your flow can fluctuate each day during your period, many women keep a variety of tampon sizes on hand. This will help reduce the spread of bacteria. He reiterated that no such evidence exists. I believe we all have a responsibility to better and more critically appraise social media content, particularly with regard to health and medical information. Lifetime customer here. Our tampons are safe and all the ingredients that we use are rigorously tested to meet strict safety and government regulations around the world, Erica Noble, spokesperson for Procter & Gamble, said. Read our, What Exposure Could Mean for Your Reproductive Health. Best Eco-Friendly Applicator: Tampax Pure . And how can we learn more about the products were using? Let's take a moment to review cotton production and the concept of GMO (genetically modified organism) farming. Have a beautiful child. And they made that call after food safety officials said it could damage DNA, which could lead to cancer. 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. In 2021, the EFSA ruled that titanium dioxide is unsafe as a food additive and is suspected of causing cancer. If that is the case, you can avoid glyphosate by using alternative feminine hygiene products. Our editors independently select these products. of using pads and tampons with titanium dioxidewe just don't know for certain. The .gov means its official.Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. This is why we fight tirelessly for ingredient transparency and your right to know! $12.59. TikTokers are raising concern about titanium dioxide, a whitening agent, in organic tampons. Sunscreens can have concentrations of up to 25%. For sunscreen, the research that's been done has looked at how much titanium dioxide do you absorb through your skin when you put it on as a sunscreen, she said. Well+Good decodes and demystifies what it means to live a well life, inside and out. a woman on tiktok said that she "has been bleeding for 13 days, has ovarian cysts, and has to check for cancer" because she's used the L. brand tampons. ", Price at time of publication: $10 for 16 count. While you may have heard about reusable tampons, the FDA has not cleared or approved these products. But if we are exposed to these same substances via a different route than how they are intended, or at a higher dose, they can be toxic. Is this an emergency? 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. The virtual freak out on TikTok over titanium dioxidea natural mineral approved by the Food and Drug Administration that is used in a variety of products, including sunscreen, cosmetics, food, and toothpasteappears to have started with one video posted at the beginning of the week. Tampons are not intended to be used at any other time or . var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; There is some evidence to suggest that titanium dioxide may have a carcinogenic effect in some formats. Missoula, MT 59807, Visit us in Denver To be blunt, they are worried about the possibility of something happening that has never been demonstrated to happen, Marino said. T. 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. Meaning, you dont have to worry that the blood soaked tampon string is leaking titanium dioxide nanoparticles into your vagina.. Tampax. Certainly, we don't have the data to support that alarmist concern. These Veeda tampons are as eco-friendly as they can possibly get. I am less concerned with the level of titanium dioxide in tamponsthan I am with how social media users dangerously, and unchecked, amplifymisinformation. Titanium dioxide is common chemical. "There is no published research available currently that has examined the impacts of vaginal or vulvar exposure to titanium dioxide." These videos were chemophobia, Gunter declared, and fear mongering. Some experts say that there's no need to lose sleep over having titanium dioxide in tampons. Just bear in mind: If you have any specific health concerns to weigh, it's critical to reach out to your gynecologist or primary care physician to make the right choice for you. A viral TikTok with millions views about how tampons that contain titanium dioxide can cause cancer and other health problems has spurred calls on the platform to throw away all products that match that description. WVE envisions a world free from the impacts of toxic chemicals, one where our planet and communities are thriving, one where our gender, race, sexuality, zip code, income level or job does not determine our health outcomes. 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. Plus, titanium dioxide is not water soluble, so it's unlikely to be dissolved and absorbed vaginally, according to the National Library of Medicine. If youre still super worried, and I hear you, then use something else, like pads or menstrual cups or whatnot, Lincoln, who has 2.8 million followers on TikTok, said. They are in your food, your clothes, your makeup, and skincare products just to name a few of your daily exposures. I wear zero makeup. Made with a 100% cotton core, the company's feminine care products are produced without any dyes, fragrances, or chlorine bleaching. I wanted to do more research before just jumping and following this narrative blindly. "But while no study has positively linked titanium dioxide exposure to ovarian cancer, miscarriages, or UTIs, we also dont have the science to assure us that this kind of exposure is perfectly safe either." One user shared her anger after learning that the tampons shes been using contain titanium dioxide. I started switching to organic food, so why not beauty/hygiene products as well? There are several health concerns regarding TiO2. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site. We may earn a commission from links on this page. But their favorite part seems to be the fact that they are made from 90% plant-based materials. "I have a very heavy flow, and I find that I don't have to change these too often. "Most tampons list their ingredients on the back of the package," Dr. Gohar says. The highly absorbent products are made without any dioxides, polyester, pesticides, or fragrances, and they are applicator-free. And performed in ways that account for different titanium dioxide levels and time of exposure. The only tampons cleared or approved by the FDA are designed for single-use. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. Choose from Same Day Delivery, Drive Up or Order Pickup. But first. "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. Price at time of publication: $6.98 for 20 count. Inhaling titanium dioxide may also result in adverse respiratory reactions, Dr. Gohar says. Chemicals are everywhere. WVEs Director of Science and Research, Alex Scranton, addresses your questions about titanium dioxide in tampons and pads in this session of #AskAlex. And many of these chemicals have been associated with contributing to cancer and other medical problems. That being said, you may choose to avoid this particular potential exposure. And suggested that the tampons from This Is L Inc are causing ovarian cysts. A recent TikTok video went viral with the false claim that the titanium dioxide used in L. brand organic tampons is responsible for miscarriages, cancer and a host of other medical problems.. Mostly organic produce. And as of March 2022, the FDA maintains its position that titanium dioxide may be safely used as a food coloring. Just because someone had health problems after they used something doesnt necessarily mean an ingredient in that thing caused the problem, Wallace said. Shoppers are fans of the tampon's compact design that fits in the palm of their hand, allowing them to discreetly carry one to the bathroom. Also Im not looking for attention. Despite a small percentage ofTiO2 present in the product, low toxicity risk and an unsupported cause-and-effect exampleare both factors that led me to debunk this claim. Dr. Ryan Marino, a medical toxicologist and assistant professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, told Gizmodo in an email that inhaled titanium dioxide (primarily related to industrial exposure) is considered possibly carcinogenic. Now 12% Off. Is this just a big conspiracy someone is trying to push? Skimm'd by Maria del Carmen Corpus, Maria McCallen, and Kamini Ramdeen-Chowdhury. But if you don't see the word titanium dioxide, that doesn't necessarily mean the chemical isn't in your tampons. I can wear them for as long as necessary and there is no leakage. Visit our press room or contact our communications director. As Dr. Eyvazzadeh points out, we just don't know either wayno matter how certain Becky on TikTok seems. "If this worries you, then don't use products that have this," Jennifer Lincoln, MD, shared in a video. Thanks, So sorry to hear of your experience it is indeed a frustrating situation. For example, here's the ingredient list for Tampax Peal Other human studies, however, have not found any clear link between lung cancer and titanium dioxide. Is the Acrylamide in Coffee Actually Bad for You? There are however many brands who do not use this in their period products. The Beach Is My Happy Placeand Here Are 3 Science-Backed Reasons It Should Be Yours, Too. Could you explain as to why this happened to me? I will share what I know about titanium dioxide in tampons! How Bad Is It Really to Use Baby Powder 'Down There?'. 2023Well+Good LLC. I wouldn't raise the alarm. 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. But, before you choose to leave a tampon in for an extended period, we recommend learning about the risks of and how to avoid toxic shock syndrome. "They're easy to use, easily concealable, and give me ease of mind that I'm doing something good for the environment. Titanium dioxide, or TiO2, is a naturally occurring mineral comprised of titanium and oxygen. According to the brand, these organic O.b. The FDA has tested and cleared traditionally used tampons for women to use safely and with confidence.". "So, if titanium dioxide is giving you anxiety that you just can't shake," there are plenty of period care products and trustworthy tampon brands you can try without the chemical, Dr. Gohar says. 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. We also reached out to Proctor & Gamble, which makes the L. tampons, for comment multiple times with no response. "If you feel uncomfortable with the potential risks associated with titanium dioxide, look for products that dont include titanium dioxide on the ingredients list," says Flynn. The thread is so soft and they absorb perfectly. We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best "Titanium dioxide is the naturally occurring compound created when titanium reacts with oxygen in the air," explains endocrinologist and advisor at reproductive-health company Natalist Aimee Eyvazzadeh, MD. And the data seems to [indicate] that not very much gets into your body. In this world, every point in the cycle of production and consumption from extraction, to processing, to use, to disposal contributes not just to a less toxic world, but to a thriving world. "I highly recommend these tampons," wrote one customer. Including how tampons affect vaginal bacteria. Meanwhile, other countries are cracking down on the coloring agent. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. So we talked to gynecologists to get the scoop on everything you need to know about organic tampons. What do they know about titanium dioxide that assures them its safe? It's used in sunscreen, all kinds of cosmetics, medications, and you'll find it in food.
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