Its not like a company can throw anything in there, Lincoln said. And though tampons have not been linked to cancer or reproductive harm, experts say more research is needed. Genetically modified cotton was introduced in 1996 (only 25 years ago) and is thought to be one of the worlds dirtiest crops. (The FDA says that manufacturers can have no more than 1 percent TiO2 in food.). "There are no published studies on titanium dioxide causing excessive bleeding, infertility or cancer, so it is hard to say if it is dangerous to women's health or not," he says. TikTokers are raising concern about an ingredient in an organic tampon brand that they say is causing symptoms like heavy bleeding and ovarian cysts. But there is also no published research on vaginal Not only is it a more environmentally friendly option, it doesnt contain many ingredients that will linger in your body afterwards. Environmental and reproductive health experts have mixed views on how safe titanium dioxide in menstrual products is, but there's no evidence the tampons cause reproductive health problems like ovarian cysts or cancer. of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911. I also love that they use 100% organic cotton, are plastic & fragrance free, totally chlorine free and are biodegradable! Washington, DC There is no evidence that tampon use (generally) causes cancer, reproductive damage or ectopic pregnancy according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. TikTokers are raising concern about titanium dioxide, a whitening agent, in organic tampons. So what do you do instead? 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. (n.d.). "They use it to make the string look whiter.. This lack of data is incredibly frustrating, given that 26 percent of the global population are of reproductive age and presumably using pads and tampons on the regular to manage their cycles. In other words, over the billions of tampons used, a handful of cases have found that tampons contributed to cancer but did not cause cancer. Titanium dioxide is a naturally occurring compound that's used in foods like coffee creamer, salad dressing, and chocolate and cosmetics, like powders, toothpaste, and sunscreen, usually as a bleach or to block UV damage. The information that I retrieved about the ingredients found in varying menstrual products can be found on Tampax.com. 4 Mistakes That Are Causing You to Waste Money on Skin-Care Serums, According to an Esthetician, These Are the Best Anti-Chafing Denim ShortsAccording to Some Very Happy Reviewers. How can this be? OK, so what about titanium dioxide in tampons, which sit inside you for hours at a time? Vaginal pH imbalances can lead to yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis and can cause allergy related symptoms such as itching. Meghan Holohan is a contributing writer who covers health and parenting for TODAY.com. At joni, were also proud to have ECO-CERT certified, which also oversees responsible production, recyclable packaging, and the responsible use of resources. There are several health concerns regarding TiO2. Video of the Day We spoke to ob-gyn James A. Gohar, MD , co-founder and CEO of Viva Eve , to set the record That is why its so important to take your own health into account and start educating yourself on common ingredients. The levels of inhalation being evaluated were in occupational conditions, like titanium dioxide manufacturing, much higher than the average consumer. Fortunately, many new wave period-care companies are extremely transparent about their ingredients lists. "We really know very little, or almost nothing really, about something that could impact the health of millions of women," she said. "Psa to all my girlies," the July 31 post said. Melanie Whyte 8/4/2022. Ingestion: likely not harmful at the low levels we typically encounter it. We recommend looking at the whole picture by looking for certifications and asking what those certifications entail. For us, choosing organic is a proactive choice. The doctors all praised how tampons make a lot of activities, like swimming, more accessible when you have your period, and stressed that people should feel comfortable using whatever menstrual products they like best. What I want to get at here is that its so important to not add toxic chemicals to your cycle because this can later cause hormonal imbalances, bacterial infections or even a heavier flow. She does this by citing another TikTok videoin which that user claimed to have excessive vaginal bleeding, ovarian cystsand uterine damage after using L. brand tampons. We disclose every ingredient we use in our products to inform and educate so you can make the best decision for your body. Globally, cotton crops cover just 2.4% of the worlds cultivated land, but uses 6% of the worlds pesticides and 16% of insecticides- more than any other single major crop. Dr. Philip M. Tierno, Jr., a professor of microbiology and pathology at the NYU School of Medicine, told Insider that while titanium dioxide is used in plenty of everyday products, "tampons are especially a problem" since it's possible the chemical could be absorbed into the bloodstream through the vagina's lining. Titanium dioxide exposure would not be on that list. It tells the story of a woman whoafter using a specific organic tampon branddeveloped cysts and then uterine cancer. Some country-level occupational health and safety organizations cite a lack of high-quality studiesfrom which they can draw any concrete conclusions about the long-term risks of They are about the same price as regular pads and tampons, but contain much cleaner ingredients! "Well what do you know." (LogOut/ In 1980, 812 cases of TSS associated with menstruation were reported, but over the course of the following decade, cases dropped significantly due to companies making less absorbent tampons and increased public awareness of TSS, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But there is also no published research on vaginal or vulvar exposure to titanium dioxide that can guarantee its safety. For instance, certain plastics and artificial adhesives have been shown to increase the risk of vulva-vaginal infections and contact dermatitis. "While it might be cancer causing when [ingested or] inhaled, it is inconclusive if it has this same impact when absorbed vaginally," Dr. Gohar says. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/what-s-the-risk-titanium-dioxide "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 Aimee Eyvazzadeh, MD. In this study, food-related TiO 2 NPs (anatase, 40 nm) were given to rats by oral gavage for 90 days at doses of 10, 100, and 1000 mg/kg bw. Below, Dr. Eyvazzadeh and Erin Flynn, MPH, DNP/FNP, an LGBTQ+ care expert with birth control startup Favor, share the complicated truth behind this question. a lot of people online are upset with tampon brands (tampax and L. specifically) because they include titanium dioxide in the tampons, which apparently can cause reproductive harm. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider No added chemicals. But what about its relationship to cancer? Just because titanium dioxide may show signs of toxicity when eaten or inhaled, doesnt mean all exposure is dangerous. During clinical trials the amount of titanium dioxide Organyc is also a safe and clean choice for menstrual products. Some experts say that there's no need to lose sleep over having titanium dioxide in tampons. There have been studies in animals that have shown the carcinogenic effects of titanium dioxide when inhaled. "But while no study has positively linked titanium dioxide exposure to ovarian cancer, miscarriages, or UTIs, we also dont have the science to assure us that this kind of exposure is perfectly safe either." ", In a statement provided by a spokesperson, the FDA said the agency regulates tampons as a medical device and "continues to allow for the safe use of titanium dioxide as a color additive when used according to the specifications requirements, including usage in amounts not to exceed the minimum reasonably required to accomplish the intended coloring effect.". The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies titanium dioxide as possibly carcinogenic to humans. There are zero long term studies on the effects the drugs and surgeries will have on them., When the Republicans were in power the last time for eight years, do you know how much discretionary spending increased in those eight years? In a previous blog post, Jayesh debunked the myth that non-organic pads can cause cancer since study after study has not proven this. Activated charcoal benefits explained:Does it actually prevent hangovers? Doctors say that tampons are safe. So while there is no evidence of danger, "we also dont have the science to assure us that this kind of exposure is safe either. If you think of all the cosmetics and dyes and candy and food its everywhere, Dr. Jennifer Wu, an OB-GYN at Lenox Hill Hospital, told TODAY. Titanium dioxide, or TiO2, is a naturally occurring mineral comprised of titanium and oxygen. L. brand tampons use titanium dioxide as pigment in the thread that attaches the string to the absorbent part of the tampon. According to the company, TiO2 represents less than 0.1% of all the ingredients they use to manufacture their tampons. Toxins released from rayon can also rarely cause tissue necrosis for people who regularly wear clothing made of this fabric. Microplastic release from the degradation of Polypropylene feeding bottles during infant Formula Preparation. They found values ranging from 14,600-4,550,000 particles per capita per day, depending on the region. A recent viral TikTok had social media users alarmed about the idea of tampons causing cancer because they contain titanium dioxide, but OB-GYNs say there's no data to Theres really two reasons why people think that it could cause cancer, and I can understand why because its confusing, Lincoln, an OB-GYN and author of the book, Lets Talk about Down There: An OB-GYN Answers all Your Burning Questions Without Making You Feel Embarrassed for Asking, told TODAY. Fear of tampons may persist because of their association with toxic shock syndrome, Greves and Lincoln theorized. Sunscreen can safely contain up to 25% titanium dioxide. Whether titanium dioxide is toxic depends on how a person is exposed to it and in what amount. Epidemiological But no matter what your period product preference, you shouldn't be worried about whether it can harm your health. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Its really pervasive because its a whitening agent. Still, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has an established what it calls a "permissible exposure limit" to keep industry workers safe. Titanium dioxide is chemical substance used in many products to make them look whiter, according to ChemicalSafetyFacts.org. stated on July 20, 2022 an Instagram post: stated on June 21, 2022 an Instagram post: stated on June 17, 2022 a post on Facebook: stated on June 12, 2022 social media posts: stated on January 6, 2023 in a video shared on Facebook: stated on January 16, 2023 in a photo on Facebook: stated on January 11, 2023 in an Instagram post: stated on January 1, 2023 in an image shared on Instagram: stated on January 10, 2023 in an interview with Fox News' Sean Hannity: stated on December 1, 2022 in a radio interview: stated on January 12, 2023 in a photo on Facebook: stated on January 12, 2023 in remarks at the White House: All Rights Reserved Poynter Institute 2020, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, International Agency for Research on Cancer, established what it calls a "permissible exposure limit. 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. Retrieved May 11, 2021, from https://balmonds.co.uk/blogs/blog/the-problem-with-paraffin-in-emollients, Mancini, F., Bruggen, A. H., Jiggins, J. L., Ambatipudi, A. C., & Murphy, H. (2005). In an interview with Popsugar, ob-gyn Jen Gunter, MD said that within her 30 years of experience, there has never been a case where cancer, endometriosis, or other serious health conditions have been linked to tampons themselvesexcept toxic shock syndrome, which is rare. In Canada and the USA, organic claims must be verifiable but only a percentage of the product needs to be organic, and that percentage must be displayed. Some people on TikTok are alleging the ingredient can lead to all People on social media are worried that titanium dioxide on tampons can cause cancer or irregular periods thanks to a viral video. Dr. Sabrina offers ways to honor Martin Luther King Jr. and implement lessons in our lives. Well+Good decodes and demystifies what it means to live a well life, inside and out. The choice is yours. And remember, this is inhaled TiO2 atveryhigh levels much higher than the small amount of TiO2 in the strings of tampons. 33701 Titanium dioxide is commonly found in countless everyday products including food, cosmetics, drugs, paper and toothpaste. A period is a way for the body to cleanse itself, reproduce necessary hormones and shed off the lining of the uterus. Regarding risk of cancer, there is an oft-cited study that shows that chronic high-level exposure of inhaled TiO2 could be linked to lung cancer in rats. And there honestly isn't a ton of reliable data on the ingredient to help us draw better conclusions, argues the authors of this 2011 review. Tampons require the FDAs premarket review evaluating the products safety and effectiveness. 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