Wallace told Gizmodo in an email that anecdotal stories like the one in Morgans TikTok go viral all the time because they are sensational and get a lot of shares and comments. Are There Toxic Chemicals in Your Tampons? HOW TO PICK TITANIUM DIOXIDE-FREE TAMPONS! DON'T MISS THIS - YouTube Aka a common coloring agent. Delivered to your inbox every morning and prepares you for your day in minutes. 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. Likely in your daily life, you have much more significant exposures to this class of chemicals. Your official excuse to add "OOD" (ahem, out of doors) to your cal. It's primarily used to help make white foods appear whiter (like milk and candy) or to lengthen the shelf life of foods that are sensitive to UV light. 2023Well+Good LLC. Organyc 100% Certified Organic Cotton Tampons. They are comfortable and easy to use, just make sure you press down completely on the applicator before removing (it sort of 'clicks' together). Still, peoples stories on social media have left many shaken. Before you start gathering all your tampons and scouring their ingredient lists, you should know that experts want you to chill and stop worrying: Your tampons are safe. (If you reside outside of the U.S., please simply enter 00000 for zip code), ph:(406) 543-3747 | womensvoices@womensvoices.org | 2023 All rights reserved |, Introducing WVEs New Plan for a Thriving Future. What we need to think about is, if that's what can happen within the gut, there's a lot to be said for what can happen in the vaginal area., Scranton is among the many experts who agree that its a topic that requires more investigation. Rebecca Carhart is a Senior Ecommerce Reviews Writer covering home, fashion, beauty, and lifestyle products. "The potential risks of titanium dioxide vary depending on the method of exposure," says Dr. Eyvazzadeh. Here arefivesteps you can start applying today: Do this, not that: Simple swaps to boost your wellness, More: Why Epsom salt should be a staple in your home medicine cabinet, Michael Daignault, MD, is a board-certified ER doctor in Los Angeles. We are starting to recognize the health concerns of this class of chemicals. However, trouble arose for the ingredient in 2021 when the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) issued a statement that titanium dioxide "could no longer be considered safe" as a food additive. $17.50 ($0.24/Count) Sold by Utopia Distributors and ships from Amazon Fulfillment. Certainly, we don't have the data to support that alarmist concern. What To Know About Titanium Dioxide In Tampons and Skittles | theSkimm For example, when the substance is applied via sunscreen, sufficient data have found titanium dioxide to be "generally recognized as safe and effective," per the FDA. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Free standard shipping with $35 orders. So what do you do instead? So heres a refresher: Titanium dioxide is a naturally occurring mineral. Other human studies, however, have not found any clear link between lung cancer and titanium dioxide. Making a purchase through our links may earn Well+Good a commission. Shes getting checked for fucking cancer. 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. But what does it mean for tampons, pads, and reproductive health overall? Walmart customers love these super plus organic cotton tampons from Lola so much, they have given them an impressive 4.3-star rating. 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. Her job is to pore over ingredient lists and other scientific studies to find out what we know about the chemicals that are in our products and what their exposure could mean. "They're organic, and I love how compact they are! In Turmoil Over Tampons, Scientists See a Need for More Study This is the case for period care products, even those made with organic cotton. These are the best organic tampons to shop for: With nearly 3,000 five-star ratings, these organic tampons from Organyc are an Amazon favorite. This is L. tampons are labeled as being made with organic cotton, and the company's marketing promises a simple product: "Only the ingredients you need for the confidence, comfort, and protection you . Hundreds of Amazon shoppers love these organic cotton tampons from Seventh Generation because of their comfortable, dual-layer design that prevents leaks. And many of these chemicals have been associated with contributing to cancer and other medical problems. And many of these chemicals have been associated with contributing to cancer and other medical problems. Be cautious and meet with your physician: Always be vigilant and also don't get overwhelmed by what's on the internet, Dr. Dziadek said. The decision was based on available scientific research which, although not totally conclusive, found that an accumulation of titanium dioxide in the body could possibly contribute to genotoxicity (i.e., damage at the DNA level that may lead to cancer). Love, love, love it. Read our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions. Titanium dioxide exposure would not be on that list. According to the brand, the tampons feature a unique design that keeps "fluids locked in the core for added security. "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.". Even better, for every box of tampons sold in the United States, the brand donates 43 cents to nonprofit organizations to offset the "period tax" and help make period products more accessible to women in need. Tampon safety scare goes viral on TikTok - New York Post Never ever in my life have had an ovarian cyst. Ultimately the end product produced from the cotton may also contain some amount of the chemical. "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, Skittles (and its parent company, Mars Inc.), approved titanium dioxide for human consumptionin 1966. including candies and other processed foods. The FDA has found that regulated amounts of titanium dioxide are considered safe. New study explores the benefits,harms. 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. Used these This is L. Tampons for 2 cycles and now have a 6cm cyst, bleeding for almost 2 weeks straight, blood tests, doctors visits and now having to pay over $l000 for two sonograms. That said, with all the scientific evidence accumulating in other areas, consumers should be more aware of titanium dioxide's potential effect on reproductive health, Dr. Gohar says. As far as hypothetical exposure risk, the tampon would pose a more significant exposure as it is worn internally. "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. TikTokers say titanium dioxide in organic tampons led to severe side 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.. While you may have heard about reusable tampons, the FDA has not cleared or approved these products. Considering each pack comes with 32 tampons, their price isn't even that bad for an all-organic product! "I love these non-applicator tampons," raved one reviewer. But, again, further study is needed.. If you don't want to take any chances with this ingredient, try these organic products instead. Study after study has flagged concerns about the potential damaging effects of titanium dioxide on organs like the liver and kidney. The TikTok user who posted the video makes theclaim that TiO2 has been linked to cancer and multiple gynecological issues. But this amount varies by product. The tampons come in both regular and super sizes, and customers say a regular size is a great option for light flow days. ", The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved titanium dioxide for human consumptionin 1966, cementing its presence in a variety of foods, including candies and other processed foods. He is also a former United States Peace Corps Volunteer. It became the first state in the nation to do so. And the data seems to [indicate] that not very much gets into your body. And since the chemical is in the cotton plant it will also be in the cotton produced from the plant. 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. These Veeda tampons are as eco-friendly as they can possibly get. 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. An official website of the United States government, Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts, The Facts on Tamponsand How to Use Them Safely. Lifetime customer here. Stressing itll rupture or cause my ovary to twist while my husband is hours away. (The FDA says that manufacturers can have no more than 1 percent TiO2 in food.). Also Im not looking for attention. It's unclear exactly how many brands use TiO2 in their menstrual products. Some experts say that there's no need to lose sleep over having titanium dioxide in tampons. Glyphosateis from a class of chemicals known as endocrine disrupters. And it functions the same in tampons: Titanium dioxide serves as a coloring agent to make your period products appear whiter, Dr. Gohar says. 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. tampons can provide protection for up to 8 hours at a time, making them a good option for overnight use. Made with a 100% cotton core, the company's feminine care products are produced without any dyes, fragrances, or chlorine bleaching. 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. 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. Still, more studies in humans need to be performed to verify this finding. 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.. "I stopped using tampons when I noticed they'd irritate my lady parts after use. Meanwhile, Procter & Gamble, which carries the brands This Is L, Always, and Tampax, has been responding to concerns surrounding titanium dioxide in its products. Well+Good decodes and demystifies what it means to live a well life, inside and out. 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. Mostly organic produce. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals or EDCs can act like the naturally occurring hormones in your body. And do not smoke. These products are made from cotton and it is actually the cotton contained in these products that are the potential problem. Peter Weiss, MD, is a board-certified OB/GYN and expert in women's health. "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. }(document, 'script', 'advocacy-actionwidget-code')); Womens Voices for the Earth Thanks, So sorry to hear of your experience it is indeed a frustrating situation. Denver, Colorado 80205, Phone: (406) 543-3747 These videos were chemophobia, Gunter declared, and fear mongering. 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. It's mainly used for color. However there is not enough proof showing titanium dioxide coloring in tampons to be harmful. No tampon should be used more than once. Titanium dioxide isn't making tampons into toxic death sticks - Substack Mounting evidence has resulted in the World Health Organization labeling glyphosate as a probable human carcinogen. (no offense) Titanium dioxide in tampons: What you need to know - USA TODAY The rule for food items is that the coloring agent can't exceed 1% of the food's weight. These popular period products are perfect for women with heavy flows because they are designed to expand in all directions to prevent leaks. But titanium dioxides potential health effects depend on how it's used. 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. A TikTok with more than 3 million views is raising questions about just that. You may be surprised to learn that the FDA regulates tampons as medical devices. Because even my doctor was very confused. Tampax Pure Cotton Tampons - Super - 24ct : Target I am not into social media. 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. The European Union banned titanium dioxide in food earlier this year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agriculture Service. Read our, What Exposure Could Mean for Your Reproductive Health. But first. The main difference between regular and organic tampons are the materials used when making them. One reason is that the FDA evaluates whether a tampon enhances the growth of the bacteria that causes TSS before the product can be legally marketed. There is some evidence to suggest that titanium dioxide may have a carcinogenic effect in some formats. WVEs Director of Science and Research, Alex Scranton, addresses your questions about titanium dioxide in tampons and pads in this session of #AskAlex. $46 at Amazon. So we talked to gynecologists to get the scoop on everything you need to know about organic tampons. "They come in two different sizesregular and superwhich are very convenient depending on the day. These [are comfortable and] do what they need to, and I don't need to worry about leaks the way I used to. ', Consuming it orally appears to be a different story. 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. Is it possible todays feminine hygiene products are exposing me to cancer-causing chemicals? titanium dioxide in tampons? : r/Periods The 2023 Complete Python Certification Bootcamp Bundle, Mourning the Loss of Addison Raes Debut Album | The Meme Machine. To be blunt, they are worried about the possibility of something happening that has never been demonstrated to happen, Marino said. And the importance of questioning what were consuming on the daily. The absorbent fibers used in FDA-cleared tampons sold today are made with a bleaching process that is free from elemental chlorine, which also prevents products from having dangerous levels of dioxin (a type of pollutant found in the environment). It's also worth being skeptical of any definitive claims that titanium dioxide in tampons is super harmful. 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. Titanium Dioxide in Tampons: OB-GYNs Debunk Myth It Causes Cancer And remember, this is inhaled TiO2 atveryhigh levels much higher than the small amount of TiO2 in the strings of tampons. The Facts on Tamponsand How to Use Them Safely | FDA Titanium dioxide was news to me; no companies have ever disclosed using it before. 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. Find him on Instagram@dr.daignault. But I can tell you this cyst has made my job exhausting and totally draining chasing my toddler around. The site is secure. It's used in sunscreen, toothpaste, some food, and it is used to whiten the string of tampons. But this amount varies by product. 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. TiO2 was nevertheless banned as a food additive in the EU as of this month. 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. 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. Try These OB-GYN-Recommended, Titanium Dioxide-Free Period Products . Sunscreens can have concentrations of up to 25%. Including how tampons affect vaginal bacteria. Ease and comfort all around! So, why would they use an ingredient that can be considered cariogenic and cause reproductive issues with tampons? Best Organic Tampons. It's used in sunscreen, all kinds of cosmetics, medications, and you'll find it in food. 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. As shown in the viral TikTok video, some organic tampons contain titanium dioxide as a bleaching agent. A world where workers are treated with dignity from our paychecks to our working conditions. 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. Some tampons include titanium dioxide, which makes them appear whiter and brighter. 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. A spokesperson for Proctor and Gamble, which manufactures the L. tampons brand, told Insider titanium dioxide is used in the thread that attaches the cord to the absorbent part of the tampon, and . And not by experts on tiktoc. "I love that these are eco-friendly, biodegradable, and non-toxic," wrote one. Titanium dioxide is commonly found in countless everyday products including food, cosmetics, drugs, paper and toothpaste. There are several health concerns regarding TiO2. 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. You can also register your story with the FDA Medwatch program their online form is here: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/index.cfm?action=consumer.reporting1 and on that form you can offer as much or as little information as you wish. However, there are no trials to validate this finding in humans. ", 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. Felt they had the same or better absorbency. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site. I wouldn't raise the alarm. Difference Between Regular and Organic Tampons, Best Overall: Organyc 100% Certified Organic Tampons, Best Eco-Friendly Applicator: Tampax Pure Organic Tampons, Best Cardboard Applicator: Oi Certified Organic Tampons, Best Applicator Free: Veeda Natural Cotton Applicator Free Tampons, Best for Light Flow: Seventh Generation Organic Cotton Tampons, Best for Heavy Flow: Lola Super Plus Organic Cotton Tampons, Best Variety Pack: Top Regular & Super Organic Tampons, Best Hypoallergenic Option: Cora Organic Cotton Tampons, Best Overnight Option: O.B.