Information

Did you know, a woman may use as many as 11,000 tampons in her lifetime, but most aren’t aware of how or what they’re made from?

Tampon Ingredients

Every had a look at the ingredients on the side of your tampon box? Many tampons are made from a combination of synthetic fibres such as:

  • Rayon (tree pulp) which is commonly chlorine bleached and is highly absorbent. "Currently marketed tampons manufactured in the United States are made from rayon or rayon/cotton blends and have been shown to amplify TSST-1 [toxic shock syndrome toxin-1] in vitro" 1
  • Polypropylene over wrapper. With the skin of the vulva being the most sensitive on a woman's body it can easily be irritated by polypropylene.
  • Cotton that has the potential to have been sprayed with insecticides. "Organic cotton production is the only farming system by which cotton is produced entirely free of chemical pesticides - and thereby without the risks that such chemicals pose to human health and the environment." 2 "In total the world’s farmers apply a staggering US$1,310 million of insecticides to cotton each year; outstripping all other major crops in terms of insecticide applications which supports the view that cotton has become the world’s ‘dirtiest’ agricultural commodity." 3

Dioxin

The presence of dioxin, a by-product of the chlorine-bleaching process that is used to prepare the fibers for use in tampons, is controversial. Whilst some will say that the amount of dioxin is barely detectable, the EPA (Environment Protection Agency) says that there is no known safe level of dioxin exposure. Dioxin has been linked to auto-immune disorders, central nervous system toxicity, hormonal disruptions, learning disabilities, and various cancers..

As reported in The Village Voice, February 7,1995, evidence is growing that even low levels of dioxins may be linked to cancer, a tendency toward endometriosis, low sperm counts and immune system suppression. Considering a woman may use as many as 11,000 tampons in her lifetime, she may be subjecting herself to additional dioxin exposure. To date, there is no specific policy outlining acceptable exposure levels to dioxin.

TSS (toxic shock syndrome)

Why was TSS such a problem in the 1980’s? In 1980, 38 women died of tampon-related toxic shock syndrome. In a race to release a "new improved" product the tampons manufacturers decided to make theirs the most absorbent product. Made of superthirsty synthetics, like carboxymethylcellulose and polyester. These added ingredients were tremendously effective at absorbing menstrual blood and preventing leaks. The issue was that they were so good the absorbent nature caused a microbial imbalance that severely altered the lives of thousands of women. The main issue was with the Rely tampons from Proctor and Gamble.

These specific synthetic additives have been removed from tampons however TSS is still a threat to women, especially to those younger women who use the higher absorbency tampons. As we get older we build up an immune system to this toxins. To minimize risk of contracting TSS, women are urged to choose the lowest absorbency level needed for their flow, to change their tampons every 2-4 hours, and never to sleep with a tampon in overnight.

Organic Cotton Health Benefits

As well as the potential health benefits, there are environmental benefits of using organic cotton.

"In a bid to reduce toxins, we’ve developed the Jolie range of organic tampons, which are made from cotton grown using natural methods, with no harsh insecticides and are bleached with oxygen, instead of chlorine gas."

By choosing an organic cotton tampon you are making a positive choice for your own health and the environment.

The Jolie range comes in a discreet box and a bonus gorgeous French-classic style tin to help keep the product tucked safely into handbags.

1 Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology 2:140-145 (1994) “Propensity of Tampons and Barrier Contraceptives to Amplify Staphylococcus aureus Toxic Shock Syndrome Toxin 1
2, 3 EJF, 2007, “The Deadly Chemicals in Cotton”, Environmental Justice Foundation in collaboration with Pesticide Action Network UK, London UK ISBN No. 1-904523-10-2

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