From Tracee Cornforth,
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Women have used tampons for thousands of years. Rumors are rampant, on the Net, about possible health risks that women who use tampons might eventually confront.

The Rumors...

• Claims that asbestos containing tampons cause excessive bleeding, and increase the manufacturer's profit.
  
  
• Worry about the rayon used in tampons.
  
  
• Fear that cancer-causing dioxin is an ingredient in tampons that may also cause endometriosis.
  
  
• Skepticism about the bleaching process that whitens the raw ingredients used to make tampons.
  
  
• Assertions that rayon fibers cause toxic shock syndrome (TSS), and vaginal dryness or ulcerations.

Is there any truth to these claims?

The FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health regulates the safety and efficacy of medical devices--including tampons. In a recent report, the FDA strongly disputes these claims:

• "Asbestos is not, and never has been associated with the fibers used in making tampons." Plants that manufacture tampons are subject to inspection to ensure that required manufacturing standards are being met.
  
  
• Tampons sold in the US may contain cotton, rayon, or blends of cotton and rayon. A bleaching process is required to purify wood pulp and retrieve the cellulose fibers which make rayon.
  
  
• "Cellulose used in US tampons is now produced using elemental chlorine-free bleaching." Many of the claims of dioxin-related risks are based on elemental chlorine bleaching which uses a process that can lead to a dioxin byproduct. According to the FDA report, no US manufacturer uses this process.
  
  
• Major US tampon manufacturer's tested their products for dioxin levels using an analytical method provided by the FDA. The results showed that dioxin levels ranged from non-dectable to one 1 part in 3 trillion. "FDA has determined that dioxin at this extremely low level does not pose a health risk."
  
  
• Toxic shock syndrome is rare with only 5 menstrually-related cases reported in 1997. Scientists agree that there is a connection between tampon use and TSS, however they remain unsure of the exact connection.
  
  
• High absorbency tampons may be associated with an increased risk of TSS. Vaginal dryness and ulcerations can occur when women use a tampon that is too absorbent for their menstrual flow.

Choosing the proper absorbency may help reduce the risk of TSS, and vaginal discomforts. Tampon sizes are standardized across brands, in the US, by a method that labels all tampon products as regular, super, supper plus, or junior; these terms describe the range of absorbency.

Manufacturers are required to provide packaging information on all tampons sold in the US that describe the symptoms of TSS and how to reduce your risk. Read the inserts in the tampon product you use and discuss any symptoms or concerns with your health care provider.

The full report from the FDA Center for Devices and Radiological Health.

Learn More

Comparison of The Keeper and Instead Menstrual Cups
-A look at some alternatives to tampons and pads from the Museum of Menstruation (MUM)

Tainted Tampons?
-MSNBC Health

Toxic Shock Syndrome
- Health World Online

TSS: Reducing the Risk
-FDA Consumer

SPOT
-A popular site that promotes the dangers of tampons.

WAN Retracts Lifestyle Story on Dangers of Tampon Use
-World African Network

Sanitary Products Manufacturers

The Kotex Guide to Tampons, Pads, and Menstruation

Playtex Tampons

Tampax Products

More About Menstruation