Toxic tampons
Every teenage girl has heard of the highly feared toxic shock syndrome. It’s what had us all obsessively changing our tampons every six hours, and freaking out if we failed to do so. However, what we weren’t told is that they don’t need to be left inside us and forgotten about to cause health issues. Conventional tampons actually do us damage as soon as they are inserted. Period.
Tampons (and pads) contain a myriad of toxic chemicals, which are leeched straight into our sensitive lady parts. Tampons are commonly made from a blend of bleached conventional cotton and/or synthetic products, such as rayon, polypropylene and plastic. They usually also contain binders, plastics, surfactants, resins and fragrances. Pads often contain a blend of chlorine-bleached pulp, polypropylene, polyacrylates and plastic. Chlorine bleaching produces an unwanted by-product called dioxin – a substance linked to cancer, endometriosis, low sperm counts and immune system suppression. Deodorising chemicals are also sometimes added.
Aimee Marks, who is the founder of TOM Organic, had an epiphany one day when she realised that most women pay attention to the food they eat and the cosmetics they use, but they don’t pay attention to what they are putting in the most sensitive part of their body. This sparked her desire to create an Australian Certified range of tampons.
“The ingredients on the back of conventional tampon packs included things like rayon, viscose, polypropylene with a cotton string. In simple terms: tree pulp, synthetics and plastics. I then discovered cotton is considered to be the most highly sprayed crop on the planet.”
If you use tampons and pads, your va-jay-jay (and the rest of your body) will love you if you switch to an organic, all-natural brand. That way you can be sure that you are inserting something that is totally safe, and not going to add extra stress to your body during that wretched time of the month.
WIN A YEAR’S SUPPLY OF TOM ORGANIC TAMPONS!!
Thanks to the awesome people at TOM Organic, I have a year’s supply of organic tampons to give away to one lucky reader. All you have to do is answer the following question in the comments section under this post, and the best answer will win a year’s supply of TOM Organic tampons. The winner will be announced in next Tuesday’s newsletter, so make sure you are signed up to find out if you’ve won.
Question: Why do you want to switch to organic tampons?
You might also be interested in reading my post about The Real Cause of PMS (And How To Prevent It).
Positive affirmation for the day: I am grateful for all of the blessings in my life.
Try also “The Keeper” – Ive been using it for years, I will never go back to pads or tampons – plus there is no landfill
I want to win the tampons because as you stated I never gave it much thought. I have been buying organic peanut butter, organic jelly, organic lettuce…and so on. Whatever I can find in the little town I live in and I do very much care about my health and what Im putting in my body. I am on a very tight budget so new “green things and organic” always seem to make me broke by the time the next paycheck comes. I would love to try a new product and if I can switch over maybe when my daughter will need them as well I can start her off on just organic and never have to actually let her use the ones they sell at store. I would be very grateful .
I would like to win because I had no idea how unsafe pads are. I have never used tampons b/c of the toxic issue and just plain didn’t care to use them. I thought pads were safer. I buy organic as much as possible, don’t consume chemicals at all, try to eat mostly all whole, raw food. I also don’t have a lot of money currently, so it would be awesome to win this. thanks for the opportunity!
Are cottons http://www.cottons.com.au ok to use?
Hi Phoebe, Cottons are better than most conventional tampons but they are still not organic. Because cotton is one of the most highly sprayed crops out there, I would say they are going to be laced with pesticides and toxic chemicals. x
Thankyou Phoebe and Jess for this one, I have used cottons for years thinking it was the better option. I will now be changing to TOMs or other organic options.
I was just going to ask that question!! I use cottons as i thought it was the most natural option. I consider the use of sprays when i purchase my food, but it didn’t cross my mind with tampons
I want to switch to organic tampons to ensure that everything I do to my body will do little harm and leave me with the potential for longevity and fruitful living well into my older years. If I can start now and early into my life (26 years) I hope that it places me in a position where my health will benefit and I will potentially prevent many chronic diseases that are associated with potential harmful activities (such as the use of conventional tampons, non-organic food, cleaning products and make-up). I have recently made the switch to organic food, shampoo, washing powder, body lotions, make-up, facial cleaners and I think switching to organic tampons will put me in an ideal position to ensure my life is the least harmful it can be.
i haven’t used tampons for over 12 years. Since the birth of my first child. For me it was an awakening. I was concerned about what i put in my body during pregnancy and breastfeeding, why was it less of and issue and worry before… Now awareness helps dictate my choices and Toms look amazing!
I would love to win this supply, with Summer looming, swimming all season sounds awesome. Much love xxx
I grew up like any normal “American” child would have. I ate a S.A.D. diet, used chemical products, and used regular pharmaceuticals for every tiny infection, cough, and flu. Thing is, I also grew up with severe Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. Recently, after my doctor told me I’d either need surgery again or go back on strong medication (ones that almost killed me at 9 years of age), I decided I was going to heal the right way. I started seeing a Naturopath, eating all organic (cutting out Dairy, Gluten, Soy, Sugars, and Processed foods) and seeking an overall healthier lifestyle. It hasn’t been easy, especially at 19 when everyone around you can eat and do whatever they want and feel/look perfectly fine. Thing is, I’d never go back to the way I was before. I’m healthier and happier than ever. I guess I concentrated so much on my diet and exercise and skin/body care products that I forgot about the small things things such as tampons. My mother can’t use them because she’s gotten Toxic Shock Syndrome before. I guess that should have clued me in to realizing that maybe I shouldn’t be wearing them either. But again, you live and you learn. I’d like to make the switch. I want to be safe. I want to banish P.M.S for good. I want to be healthy. That’s why I want to switch.
I would love to win the organic tampons! I’m trying to cultivate a healthy, green living for my body and for the environment and conventional feminine hygiene products are terrible for both! I’ve thought about trying those re-usable pads made from cotton but I really don’t think it’s hygienic but the thought of pure organic tampons is great, its a real issue that there not stocked in conventional supermarkets (or at least the ones not me). Our private parts are sacred and deserve the purest, most gentle and organic product we can find. TOM organics you are doing a wonderful job against fighting the war against chemical-laden living, so are you jess
our brave Wellness Warrior xox
Not for me too late, but for my daughters (15&17) to know about and try. If I win they will want to try..lol
I never realized, what is on the shelfs looks so harmless.
I will also check out Tom’s site for other products.
Thanks!
I would like to win a years supply of organic tampons for my teenage daughter who at the tender age of 13 has just embarked on her womanly journey. I have been slowly trying to educate and instigate healthy, organic and environmentally sustainable practices in our household and families lives. My daughter now asks for her daily Norwalk juice, drinks only filtered water, changed her make up and skinncare products and is conscious of the potential health crisis her generation will face as they mature into adults given our toxic modern lifestyles. Unlike the majority of her peers who don’t use tampons, my daughter is very active and interested in all things sporting. Tom organic tampons will give her yet another layer of understanding and awareness towards adopting safe and healthy practices and choices. My mothering mission is to make my kids as aware and educated as possible in adopting safe, natural, organic products first and foremost each and every time. If we can reach this generation, we stand a much better chance of introducing broader changes to our health, well being and our fragile environment.
Because my lady parts deserve special treatment like the rest of my body receives… x
I’m all for products that don’t damage the environment and are more convenient and comfortable (e.g. moon cup). But it’s clear you’re creating a lot of fear about this in order to promote another specific brand, presumablly in exchange for an undisclosed benefit, so what’s the actual scientific (ie peer-reviewed) evidence for the harmfulness of conventional tampons/pads (aside from their known risks in regard to TSS and of course environmental damage)?
Hi Linda,
Firstly I will disclose that I am receiving no benefit for promoting these products. I had already written up this post, and then when TOM Organic offered this competition for my readers I thought it was a great tie-in. As for actual scientific evidence, go to this website http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ and type in the ingredients that are found in conventional tampons (polypropylene, polyacrylates, chlorine, rayon, viscose etc.). I know that I don’t want my lady parts and my body contaminated with these harmful toxins, and I know that most of my readers don’t either. It’s all about doing everything we can to lessen the toxic burdens on our bodies. It’s a personal choice though – I just like to share the important information that we are not commonly told.
I’ve switched to using pads 80% of the time due to the toxicity of non-organic tampons. However you’re right – pads are just as synthetic, horribly deodorised and soooo uncomfortable! Several of my friends have had CIN1, 2 & 3 (cervical abnormal cells) with no presence of HPV, so I worry that synthetic tampons are responsible for these cellular changes – a scary thought!
I will switch to TOMS and would love to win a years supply so I don’t have to feel like I’m wearing nappies 60 days of the year! And so that I can inform, and give packets away to attendees of my health retreats – http://www.iloveretreats.com.au
Hi Nicky,
This is not the first we have heard of women experiencing ‘unexplained health issues’ in this space.
As Tara mentioned below, it’s a reality, we just generally don’t really stop to think about tampons.
We often meet women who are allergic to plastic. As Jess mentioned (wellness warrior), many conventional tampons have a polypropylene (plastic) outer wrap. We recently met a women who is allergic to plastic – at 40 years of age, she has not been able to use conventional pads or liners because she had a terrible reaction. This woman now uses T.O.M. This is a pretty confronting reality that inspires us to continue with the work that we do.
Jess, thanks for finding us and sharing.
Aimee xo
I would love to win because I’m on a constant journey to add in new healthy things to my life. My diet and cleaning products are pretty good…mostly organic. I honestly hadn’t thought about tampons too much until this post. So thanks for opening my eyes. It makes total sense. My body is so sensitive to chemicals etc, I can’t believe I didn’t think of it myself! Thanks!
I want to change organic tampons as much as fellow readers, but winning a year supply would be so fantastic for me. I am a single 22 year old mum of a 5 and 4 year old who is a first year external uni psychology student who has suffered years of chronic endometriosis (even after an operation I still live in agony without the use of pain relief drugs). Changing to organic has been an expensive process (but worth it) because of living in such a small town, so I have my fingers and toes crossed that I will get a chance to be in the winning. Thank you for enlightening and informing us with such clear information.
I have been trying to conceive for a while and have been changing our lifestyle for the better but I have never really thought about pads and tampons and the impact on my health.I would like to win so I can continue to improve my health for pregnancy.
Hi Jess,
Thank you so much for posting this information, I am constantly on the look out for ways that I can improve my health, wellbeing & my carbon footprint as well as find products that I can recommend to my clients. I think it is great that TOM have offered you their product for your competition, it shows how passionate they are about getting the word out there & helping women live happier, healthier lives. I would love to win a years supply but I think that there are more deserving women out their & I hope that more women will take charge of their health & wellbeing & help educate other loved ones in their life.
Much love to you honey xx
I would love to switch to organic tampons………. I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer last year and have been struggling to get my life back to normality its been an up & down road (as I know you can understand) and am trying to make little changes to make my life more “organic” and keep myself cancer free for the rest of my life
Love your website thanks for your inspiration Jess
it gives me hope……..
P.S. hope your mum is doing ok
Rach xox
Why use organic tampons?
Our spiritual beliefs, our health, and our families are most important to our well being.
We need to be so aware of today’s environment with its many toxic pollutants.
Organic tampons = one less pollutant in our lives.
Kind regards, Kristine
Hi Jess,
I would like to win the organic tampons because after an ovarian cancer scare, having become aware of how toxic traditional tampons are I have been trying to find organic alternatives that still give good protection. So far I have not had luck and alas although I can use organic when lighter, at the heavy time I don’t feel I have a choice – I use the ones I know are toxic because I need the protection. Having learned so much from your site and other sources since beginning the cancer fighting journey and almost totally reducing chemicals I find the tampon issue to be a frustrating one. I hate what it does to our bodies. I would love the opportunity to try the TOM product.
As always, thanks for this great site!
Love ya,
Kristie
I had toxic shock syndrome from a tampon when I was 18 years old. It nearly killed me. And, like most young women, I had no idea how dangerous tampons could be. The risk is not stressed enough, and it is causing tremendous suffering to many women. Thank goodness for companies that make Earth and health friendly natural products!!!
I want to set a good example for my daughter.
I am absolutely to consume organic, organic, organic. Since reading this post, it never even entered my mind about cotton be heavily sprayed with pesticides in our feminine products. OMG… I have to make the switch to organic tampons!!!!
I have tried using the diva cup was had pain worst then childbirth therefore I went back to tampons. (I am rather scared on attempting to try again). I would like to make the switch to organic although I do plan on trying the diva cup again. Until then, tampons it is.
When I was younger, I went to an all girls school. One year, one of the girls became quite sick and was hospitalised for a week or so. It was rumoured around school that she had left a tampon in and had got Toxic Shock Syndrom. Still to this day I dont know if there was any truth to the rumour however I have made sure I have changed my tampon every 2-3 hours since that day to ensure I dont get TSS. Never once did I think ‘oh, I should get organic tampons’. So thanks Jess, whether I win or not, I will be changing to organic and releasing my fear of TSS!!
I would like to win because I am always looking at other ways I can incorporate more health into my left. Wether that is with eating organic food, organic skin care or using organic tampons. I want to give my body the best of everything so I can live my fullest life. My body is my temple and I want to give it want it deserves.
I should be using organic tampons because the “va-jay-jay” is the sweetest part of a girls body. We should all be giving our bodies what they deserve: a clean product free of created toxins. Why put more toxins in the body than we need to? The environment does enough of that by itself. Thanks Jess!
I would like to win becasue I use organic tampons when I can, but they are not that easy to find. This brand looks new and fun! Encourage them to sell through “About Life” in Rozelle in Sydney, then I can buy them too. My philosophy is to “go lightly”, on the environment, my body, my mind ….. and orgnanic tampons are the way to go. Thanks for your inspiring blog and your fabulous work. Sarah
When I first discovered your blog last November and became an avid reader, I was looking for ‘how to do a detox’ to kickstart the summer. Since then, my lifestyle has had a real health overhaul! While at first I took interest in natural health and nutrition because bikini season was around the corner, I’ve since learned that I have polycystic ovaries, and having a healthy lifestyle has a new found importance. The condition is manageable by maintaining a fit body with a nutritious diet, regular exercise, and overall wellness. I’ve learned so much about healthy eating with all your posts and recipes, and I also go to the gym 4-5 times a week. But your site has really helped me learn about other aspects of wellness in addition to diet and exercise. Thanks to your posts Jess, I now use organic skincare products, use natural home cleaning supplies, and decorate my house with himalayan salt lamps, but I never even thought to consider what toxins could be in tampons! Having a year’s supply of TOM organic tampons would really help me in another aspect of wellbeing that my body particularly needs. Thanks for all your truly informative and inspiring posts!
I always worried about using tampons so I switched to organic tampons a few months ago but didn’t find them very effective. I will be giving Tom’s a try, thanks so much for the info.
Vagina. That’s what it’s called. No need for ‘vajayjay’ or quotation marks.
Oh, Jess. The answer is simple. I love myself. I love my vagina
I want to be healthy and now I need to take extra care of my health. So good to read your posts – this one was really illuminating!
I’ve been using the Diva cup – it’s reusable and saves money on pads/tampons. I’ve had three children and have had no problems using it.
I would like to win a years supply of TOM Organic Tampons as I think it would help promote the need to my mother and sister the need to really think about what they are putting into their bodies. I try to watch what products I’m using and are forever suggesting that they do the same. Maybe with some free samples they will be more inclined to use the organic tampons rather then the chemical filled ones they are using now. By winning I can share the love – and help promote the message and hopefully this would cause them to also promote the message to all of their female friends. Also I would love some for myself as I love to be stocked up!
Are there good organic tampons to purchase in the US?
I am a pretty health conscious person and thought I was pretty up with it when it comes to what’s good for your body and what’s not so I was surprised when I read about how bad regular tampons are….and why I hadn’t questioned it before!? As you said its a really sensitive area, and an area we should be really concerned about only putting organic, healthy substances! I live in a small town and the offering of ladies hygiene products doesn’t extend beyond Coles. I want to show my body love by using TOM tampons…for a long time I was at war with my body because it didn’t look the way I wanted it to, and I was always comparing it to other bodies, add to that a good 10 years of heavy, irregular periods and its safe to say I wasn’t exactly showing my body love, nurturing or support. This would be a good way to say I’m sorry, I love you and look at the wonderful product I’m now using to prove it
Why switch to Organic Tampons? There is enough evidence out there to show the harmful effects the toxic chemicals have on our bodies that goes into the everyday products we use. Why then would I want to continue to expose myself to the toxins in those products. Our womanhood is defined by our woman parts in a sense. When we experience our first menstrual cycle we are called a woman. If I’m putting organic produce in my body, putting organic cosmetics on the outside of my body, it only makes sense I’m using organic products during menstration as well. I will never forget reading my 32 year old friends post on Facebook about how she felt like she was losing her womanhood from losing both breast to cancer and now also a hysterectomy as well. Wish more people would know there is another way to beat cancer.
Hi! just with in the last few years I have noticed irritation when using both types of products. I tried looking for natural cotton products, with very little choice let alone them being organic and now finding out that COTTON is over treated!. I too never gave it much thought until I started having problems, and now on my very light days don’t wear anything but an extra pair of underwear and/or washable home made cotton inserts. I seriously got to the point where I really am not wanting to use pads or tampons and willing to try another approach, because of the questionable products that are in them and causing discomfort. Its like wearing shoes! I cant wait to get them off or OUT! So these TOMtampons sound like the go! I am a worry wart, and it would be lessen my worry basket and SO enable me I can just go with the… FLOW.
Hiya! Just found your blog today through crazysexylife.com! I use Gladrags but would love to try organic tampons for times when my reusable pads are less practical (vacation, etc).
Thanks!
I would love to win the TOMS organice tampons because even though i have been using cottons for years, and did notice a difference in the amount of irritation and pain i had from that change, i would LOVE to confirm my suspicions that regularly using organic tampons will ease my pain (even just a bit!). I’ve already noticed a difference switching to additive free and organic food with mine and my children’s health – we’re like a different family. At the moment, we are switching our household products to organic (i already use Enjo cleaning products) – body care, washing liquids, detergents, etc. But i truly never thought of organic tampons. I want to be a role model of good health for my kids, all the time instead of 3 out of four weeks
I would really love to win TOMS organic tampons because I think that it’s a really important part of the body to look after, and as others have said, we look after the rest of our body so why not your vagina too. With a years supply I could share them amongst my friends so we can all see what an improvement and difference they make. Once you try something like this, I’m sure its hard to go back to old chemical ways!
Great post. Thanks!
I want to switch to organic tampons because it would help me in my transition towards using more natural body products. I am very familiar with a healthy lifestyle in terms of diet and exercise, however, I could definitely benefit from using more natural beauty products. I would take this opportunity to share the information with my blog readers, friends and family, and of course spread those tampons around so others could try!!
Thanks!!
We are alreadfy changing a lot of our habits so that we include organic food, organic cosmetic products, etc. So using organic tampons would be what comes next. Thank you, Jess.
Are you using Real Food vitamins? Go to http://www.mannapages.com/marilynhenry and watch the Real Switch video. Then you can order right from this site. I have used the products for fifteen years and love them. I think you will, too.
Hi Jess! Great post. Thank you for sharing. Here’s my entry on why would like to win a year’s supply of Tom’s organic tampons…
After reading your post on Tom’s Organic Tampons, I headed out to Organika to purchase some and … something amazing happened…I have suffered from Endometriosis for the past 10 years. Every month I have been wiped out for 4 days with debilitating pain, nausea, cramps, dizzyness… the list goes on. Last year I decided to have a laporoscopy to remove it but it didn’t do much for eliminating the pain. In the year since I had the op, I have moved from the city to the surf, detoxed my home, planted a vege garden, refined my diet and shop mainly at the farmer’s markets. I never really thought about the toxicity of the tampons I was using. When I used Tom’s last week I have zero pain! Zilch nada… NOTHING! I have no idea if it was the tampons themselves or that combined with the therapeutic Yoga practice and massage I had in advance, but if I can experience this every month I will be one very happy camper! And we all know… happiness is contagious!
Thank you so much for posting about this! I saw organic tampons at my local grocery store just the other day and debated on buying them. After reading this I will definitely try switching over to an organic brand! Through high school until now as I begin my 3rd year in college, I have dealt with many hormonal/period issues. Now that I know what is in the average tampon it makes me wonder if that could be a possible culprit!? It is definitely something I will be looking into more. I would absolutely LOVE to win a years supply of TOM’s Organic Tampons. For the most part I had a healthy upbringing, but it wasn’t until illness struck my family that we all began to seek ways to improve our means of living. A little over ten years ago my dad, a man who has never smoked a day in his life, was diagnosed with lung cancer. However, it wasn’t until 5 years later, when he was diagnosed with lung cancer AGAIN that we took an even deeper look at what true health is and how we could change our lives to keep my dad cancer free. It has been quite the journey! Nearly two years ago my mom and I became vegans, my dad becoming a complete vegan as well 7ish months ago after receiving the discouraging news that he had new spots on one of his lungs.. He is 3x cancer free and has been an amazing inspiration for me to choose now, as a college student nearing on 21, to go against the grain and do whatever I can to be healthiest “me” I can be. Holistic health has become a HUGE part of our everyday lives. Winning the years supply of organic tampons would be another huge step towards becoming more aware, healthy, and a better advocate towards others who are seeking a more health saturated life, as well!
It look like your family could benefit from products that I have been taking for fifteen years to improve my health. Go to http://www.mannapages.com/marilynhenry and see the latest in health care.
This is great information for my daughters. Thank you.
Hi Jess,
I would *love* to win this supply because I believe we should be concerned about everything that we put in our bodies. In the past several years, I’ve switched to organic foods, make-up and other beauty products, as well as household cleaners. My family has never been healthier. I never thought about switching to all natural tampons, but would love to take care of my body in this way also. Thanks for the important information!
I actually believe these products should be funded by the government as a necessity and mandatory hygenic requirement! However my reason for switching to organic is for the personal and environmental security ! I’m stating the simple and obvious but I hope I win because another wish is that everyone could afford them as they are more expensive and not easily accessible for me and all of the luxury deprived population!A philanthropical idea,you think?
No organic Tampons or pads here in our country. I’ve been using different brands of pads when I got period. I didn’t know that there are side effects of using this. But, it is really necessity of every women. Having a period is really disgusting especially during work and sometimes it makes your mood behavior change. So, men should understand about this.
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