Summary: Tampons might be hidden sources of toxins like heavy metals and chemicals known to be endocrine disrupters. A new study shows that some tampon samples contain all 16 heavy metals in minute amounts.
Multiple new studies confirm that tampons contain different heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, zinc, and others. Not only that, they also contain many chemicals that are known to be hormone disrupters.
So, should people be worried about it? Perhaps, as hidden sources of toxins cause much damage to health, they are not discussed much. Moreover, since these are hidden sources of toxins, not enough measures are being taken to reduce exposure to toxins through them.
Unlike medical devices, tampons and sanitary pads are consumer goods. Indeed, they are relatively sterile, but they are not regulated as stringently. It means that they do not undergo that extensive testing.
Of course, here we are talking about toxins in traces. But then, it is no secret that toxins are more likely to be absorbed from materials that come in close contact with the urinogenital system. Not only that, another reason for concern is that a person may use thousands of tampons during their lifetime. Some studies estimate that a person may use 11,000 tampons during their lifetime, while other studies put these figures at above 15,000.
Since one is likely to use so many tampons during their lifetime, even small amounts of toxins in them may result in considerable exposure, with poorly understood consequences.
One of the previous studies focused on the content of so-called endocrine-disrupting chemicals in tampons. That study reviewed massive data and found that tampons may contain phthalates, parabens, environmental phenols, volatile organic compounds, synthetic fragrances, dioxins, and dioxin-like compounds.
Here, it is worth understanding that there are very few high-quality studies on the topic, and even then, the review study was able to identify numerous hormone disrupters in tampons.
However, the latest study is even more worrisome. This new study took 2-3 grams from each tampon and then measured the content of heavy metals in them. They could detect heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and arsenic. In one of the samples, they could detect all 16 heavy metals.
It is no secret that vaginal epithelium is quite delicate, and thus researchers are worried that these toxins might be reaching the blood. This exposure can be concerning for chronic pain specialists as toxin buildup could potentially contribute to systemic inflammation.
Therefore, they might have harm greater than imagined earlier. Here, it is vital to understand that heavy metals and toxins are even detected in tampons that are labeled as organic.
Of course, this is not to create fear among tampon users but to raise awareness. This surely requires further research to understand the possible harm caused by these toxins. For those managing pain, like at interventional pain management centers, this information becomes important.
Tampons contain these toxins only in minute amounts. However, over time, these toxins might accumulate in the body. Further, it is worth understanding that people are exposed to toxins in other ways. So, in the long run, many people might be exposed to dangerous amounts of these toxins.
Sure, the human body can fight with these toxins and get rid of them. However, if the exposure is chronic, frequent, and at higher dosages, then the body may struggle.
Considering the rise of metabolic disorders, inflammatory conditions, and the rise of certain rare diseases, it is vital to identify various sources of toxins, particularly less obvious ones.