Time and further studies may lead to new reveals. Tampax Pearl is also the only line we tested that comes in all five FDA-recognized absorbencies (light to ultra). To determine our testing pool, we read hundreds of customer reviews and forum comments. The Tampax Pearl ingredient list says that Pearl tampons may include rayon, while Tampax Pure and both of our O.B. Researchers who looked at the rate of TSS between 2000 and 2006 reported in 2011 that the rate of TSS remained low and relatively stable. Original tampons, which in our test shed more fibers than the Pro Comfort version did. An IRS rule change means your employer may allow you to adjust your FSA contributions midyear. Many have charitable business models: Cora donates a sustainable sanitary product to a woman in need for every tampon it sells; Sustain donates 10% of its pre-tax profits to womens healthcare organizations. Beyond the box, their only packaging is a thin, clear plastic wrapping. Because the packaging is so similar, it is easy to confuse our pick with O.B. We decided not to review scented tampons, as people might find various scents irritating. *At the time of publishing, the price was $5. Our applicator-tampon testers overwhelmingly preferred traditional plastic applicators to compact applicators, citing a high percentage of failed tampons as a result of the extra step necessary to expand compact applicators (which can be rendered useless and often end up as a bloody mess when the user opens the applicator too much or not enough). Every tampon we tested came with a list of materials noting what the absorbent core was made of (usually rayon or cotton) and what the string consisted of (generally polyester, polypropylene, cotton, or a combination of these materials), as well as, if applicable, the materials in any fabric overlayor veilaround the absorbent core, which is meant to prevent fiber shedding (this veil is usually made of polyethylene, polypropylene, or a combination of the two). "We put between 10,000 and 11,000 tampons into our bodies throughout our lifetime," says Frenkel. Organic tampons are not necessarily processed any differently than tampons made from synthetic materials, and they are not any safer from a personal health perspective. Tampax Pearl is the only conventional applicator tampon that all of our testers liked regardless of their flows, with testers praising its long, braided string and its sturdy, easy-to-use plastic applicator. What are the supposed risks and why? First, testers noted whether each tampon was easy to unwrap and comfortable to insert. Applicators generally are listed as being made of a plant-based plastic, plastic, or cardboard, with any dyes listed as pigments of undisclosed sources. "This is problematic because it allows substantially more pesticides and herbicides to be sprayed on the cotton, which increases the risk of its residues being present in the cotton that's in our tampons." Learn more. Plus, dioxins are all around in low levels: Meat, dairy, fish, and shellfish all contain dioxins. My answer was no, and for a long time, I didnt want to know. Cost per tampon (regular absorbency)1Tampax Pearl: 19, pack of 50Tampax Pure: 38, pack of 16. I reached out to Dr. Anita Mitra. Solimo, an Amazon brand, forwarded us a screenshot of the side of its tampon box. We will consider the moderately priced and social media fave The Honey Pot tampons for a future update to this guide. Other conventional tampon brands that we tried in our blind panel test pool included Solimo (Amazons brand), Tampax Cardboard, U by Kotex Security, Playtex Simply Gentle Glide, and Playtex Sport. Get it daily. Panel testers disliked U by Kotex Click, our previous top pick, because of its compact applicator, which had a tendency to fail. All tampon materials and finished products are assessed for safety using the broadly recognized risk-assessment principles established by the US National Academy of Sciences and World Health Organization, Anne Hochwalt, a researcher at Procter & Gamble, told us in an interview. It's important to know what's inside the products you're putting on (and in) your body. The Just tampons were more expensive than most of the conventional competition at the time of our research, and Brandless shut down. *At the time of publishing, the price was $18. Tampon manufacturers are not required to disclose exactly what is in their tampons or in what quantities. At left: Tampax Pearl (top) and Tampax Pure (bottom). It certainly cant hurt. This organic version of the Pearl tampons has the same highly rated plastic applicator and wrapper. Pro Comfort is not marketed as an organic tampon, the cotton that forms the bulk of the wad, the veil that covers that absorbent core, and the string are in fact all organic (the thread used to sew the string to the tampon, however, is not). 2022 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company. We decided not to add these to the panel test. We found that this wasnt a distinguishing point among brands, as nearly every tester reported general satisfaction in this regard with all the tampons they tried. Theres not much evidence that nonorganic, or conventional, tampons are any worse for you than organic ones. Organic). Traces of dioxin still remain, however, but range from undetectable 0.1 to 1 parts per trillion., Is a lot? Organic tampons are made with organic cotton and often use cardboard applicators rather than plastic. They praised the standard-size applicators, the relatively long and thick braided strings, and the uniquely sturdy, easy-to-open wrappers that made disposal of used tampons a breeze. Read our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions. Symptoms of TSS include a sudden fever, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches, a sunburn-like rash, headaches, and seizures. Fluid Lock. Pro Comforts version, the O.B. And before you spend your money on organic tampons, keep in mind that a 100% organic label addresses only how the cotton is grown and sourced (according to USDA standards, if youre buying such tampons in the US). Rayon: Many tampons are made from a mix of cotton and rayon. Following the 2019 reclassification of menstrual productssuch as pads, tampons, menstrual cups, and period underwearas qualified medical expenses, you can now use health care flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) funds to buy them. Period underwear designed to handle your flow and menstrual cups that come in a variety of sizes and shapes provide more options for managing your flow. Some manufacturers advertise a sport, also known as active or fitness, version of their tampons. Although chlorine dioxide is toxic in large doses, its safe for bleaching things like tampons and flour, and for disinfecting municipal drinking water. in the lab in a petri dish) or in animals, so we dont really know if this translates to humans. Quite simply, there is a lack of data. When we asked Tampax for an ingredients list for Pearl tampons, a company representative told us to check Smart Label (a trade-association site) and said that Tampax is actively working on implementing the NY labeling requirements, including collaborating with industry to develop consistent disclosure best practices to provide consistent, clear ingredient information to consumers. The Tampax Pearl ingredients listed on Smart Label: polyethylene with pigments for color (applicator), cotton and/or rayon (absorbent core), polyethylene and polypropylene (thin fabric veil around absorbent core), polypropylene (LeakGuard braid), cotton (string), polyester (thread), polyethylene (wrapper). Testers cited several flaws that were not dealbreakers, such as applicator-free tampon wrappers that were occasionally difficult to open or produced an extra piece of plastic waste (versus separating cleanly in two parts), or compact applicators that didnt plunge correctly. Like the O.B. Most also have an education or community arm aimed at providing resources to women beyond the products theyre selling. And if you're worried about stains, you have other options. Dioxins: Tampons undergo bleaching during the manufacturing process. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. This article was edited by Tracy Vence and Kalee Thompson. You can choose between plastic and cardboard based on other parameters without having to think about safety; your choice should come down to comfort and how you feel about the garbage you produce. Among applicator tampons, we like Tampax Pearl and Tampax Pure (an organic choice) best. So if youre overwhelmed by the tampon selection at the store, keep in mind that any of these should be fine for you as long as you dont push your luck in how much you expect them to absorb. Major scientific bodies (e.g NIH in the U.S.) dont seem interested in funding this research, and a well-controlled, large-scale study of thousands of women followed over many years would be necessary to determine whether particular types of tampons really do pose a threat. As for toxic shock syndrome, she says there is no evidence to suggest this is more common with certain kinds of tampons over others. You Can Now Change Your FSA Contributions Midyear. Fun fact: She tells me her surname, Mitra, is Greek for uterus. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Would you put rayon in your mouth, Laura asks me, made from chemically-treated wood pulp, and conventionally-grown cotton doused in pesticides?. Whether the tampon concern is overblown or not, such disclosures might change our behavior. The O.B. Weve been able to study the health risks associated with tobacco use, alcohol and many other exposures, she tells me. Although O.B. Even organic cotton can be pretty harsh on the environment, and it still requires (organic) pesticides to grow. (Spoiler alert: Our conventional, applicator-free pick is also made with organic cotton.). Original sometimes stuck to the cellophane during unwrapping, and we found it more prone to shedding than our digital picks. Second, we asked testers to evaluate comfort during wear. A note of disclosure: The author of this review, Nancy Redd, was a paid part-time consultant for Kotex from 2009 to 2012, a role she took on after authoring the book Body Drama: Real Girls, Real Bodies, Real Issues, Real Answers. Researchers who study S. aureus (staph) think that the synthetic materials used in Rely, the aforementioned foam and cellulose, created perfect conditions for the bacteria to grow. One tampon in particular, Rely, was strongly linked to many TSS cases. Thinxs reusable applicator, in particular, had a soft silicone holder that didnt always stay in place during insertion. If youre springing for organic-cotton tampons because youre worried about exposure to harmful ingredients, that isnt necessary. People worry about bleaching with elemental chlorine because the process can produce dioxins and dioxin-like compounds. Dioxins are highly toxic in some doses, and the World Health Organization calls dioxins environmental pollutants. None stood out from the field: Compared with Tampax Pearl, these tampons had inferior applicators or wrappers. In every test we conducted, sport tampons were the same as their non-sport counterparts, with a slightly different applicator. Organics tampons are generally less expensive, plus more widely available. Size and fit can vary widely, so we have multiple picks. In The Daily Beasts Keli Goffs reported piece on tampons, the first three cited sources regarding the dangers of tampons are founders of feminine-care disruptors who stand to benefit from such findings (Jade and Pearl, Cloth Pad Shop, The Period Store). For tampons, its particularly pointed: What theyre made of, how theyre taxed, where they go after disposal and why that matters. There are a few reasons people are concerned by these trace findings, though: vaginal walls are highly absorptive, for one, and women might use around 10,000 tampons in their lifetime might it add up? In that role, Nancy wrote educational materials, attended events, and made media appearances on behalf of the company. She has a lot of thoughts on tampons. Digital or applicator-free tampons are designed to be inserted with your fingers. Lots of people are talking about the accumulation of these products over a menstrual lifetime, but there is absolutely NO evidence to suggest they accumulate, says Dr. Mitra. This chemical isa result of chlorine processing. (The only things that should go down a toilet, they say, are the three Ps: pee, poop, and toilet paper.) Save your moneybuy the regular version. (O.B. We sent each tester three samples of each tampon of the type they usually used, between 45 and 66 in all per tester. "While the other three synthetic ingredients (polyester, carboxymethylcellulose, and polyacrylate rayon) have been taken off the market, rayon still exists in many tampons today.". The Pure ingredients listed there are: polyethylene (applicator), organic cotton (absorbent core), organic cotton (thin fabric veil around absorbent core), polypropylene (LeakGuard braid), cotton (string), polyester (thread), polyethylene (wrapper). ), Why the sudden concern? Those are the five big hitters when it comes to preventing cancer and most other chronic diseases which cause death and ill health.. Unlike Tampax Pearl, which comes in all absorbencies, Tampax Pure comes in only regular and super. First, she warns me not to rely on Google when it comes to these matters, as a particularly worded search will tell you whatever you want to hear. Compared with other organic digital tampons we considered, the O.B. Several testers also reported a fear of labia snagging and other discomfort with cardboard applicators. 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. The main diseases people are associating with tampons are cancer and endometriosisPesticides and dioxin seem to be the two major compounds of concern, she says. temporarily discontinued its ultra Original tampons and then reintroduced them following customer uproar.). The key difference is that theyre made entirely of organic materials (while the conventional O.B. Sport versions also tend to be a little more expensive. Organic, Natracare, Oi, Cora, Rael, O.B. told us its Pro Comfort tampons contained the following: organic cotton (absorbent core and the veil around that absorbent core), organic cotton and water-repellent wax (string), cotton (thread), polypropylene-based film (wrapper). The Honest Companys tampons come in only super and super plus absorbencies and are more expensive than our picks. With the internet flooded by websites and blogs full of poor quality, confusing informationthere is a need for reliable, evidence-based information about womens health, her site reads. Pro Comforts tampons, but they cost substantially more. Do you know whats in your tampons? it asked. While one tester referred to the O.B. (Those materials are no longer present in tampons.) When the CDC dug further, it found that the vast majority of the cases were in people who were menstruating. Note that when we refer to a brand as not being a standout, it doesnt mean that those tampons performed poorly; rather, they just did their job. If youre interested in tampon alternatives, we also have guides to menstrual cups and period underwear. If youd like to avoid disposables, you might try a menstrual cup instead. Our picks are the tampons that testers said exceeded expectations. is the only brand that sells conventional non-applicator tampons at most major US retailers.). (And if youre looking for the ultimate budget- and eco-friendly option, you may want to consider a menstrual cup.). Our 100% organic cotton tampons are rayon, fragrance, and chlorine free, because we believe you should only put good stuff inside yourself.. Heres What You Need to Know. All of this is to say: There are plenty of reasons to choose and engage with feminine care products thoughtfully. O.B. Your official excuse to add "OOD" (ahem, out of doors) to your cal. So whats the right answer? If youre particularly concerned about environmental impact, you might be tempted to replace tampons with sea sponges that you can wash and reuse multiple times. This step makes them white in color and also helps remove waxes and anything else that might impede absorption. It is priced on a par with other organic applicator tampons, and like Tampax Pearl, its widely available in stores and online. Pro Comfort design has a sturdy, long string, and testers found the tampon easy to unwrap. In contrast, if you struggle with leakage or otherwise find your current tampons uncomfortable or subpar, we hope the information in this guide will help you find something that works better. Here, the organic applicator tampons we considered, both in and out of their applicators, from left to right: Oi, Rael, Brandless, Organyc, Natracare, Tampax Pure, O.B. Pro Comfort tampons, O.B. For instance, in Goops coverage of the topic, Dr. Maggie Ney says that while the modern manufacturing process for tampons produces almost undetectable traces of the toxin dioxin, and is considered safe by the FDA, she still feels, that tampon companies underestimate the effects of dioxin.. A tampon should be two things: comfortable and functional. Pro Comfort: 16, pack of 40O.B. His website is home to several articles outlining the dangers of traditional hygiene products. We found the conventional and organic lines of our picks to be quite similar. Conventional applicator tampons we considered, from left to right in regular absorbency: Tampax Cardboard, Tampax Pocket Pearl, Tampax Pocket Radiant, Tampax Radiant, Tampax Pearl, Tampax Pearl Active, Just, Amazon Solimo, Playtex Compact Sport, Playtex Stella, Playtex Sport, Playtex Simply Gentle Glide, U by Kotex Sleek, U by Kotex Fitness, U by Kotex Click, U by Kotex Security. His approach, which assumes the FDAs findings arent the whole story, is mirrored in other doctor testimonies. As the National Center for Health Research puts it: Dioxin is the byproduct of the process from converting wood pulp into a synthetic fiber called RayonTampons are usually made of cotton and rayon. Until the late 90s, bleaching of wood pulp to create tampons resulted in traces of dioxin, but that method has since been changed to a chlorine-free bleaching process. According to the FDA, the presence of rayon in a tampon does not appear to increase the risk of TSS. The absorbency levels are standard across brands. To reduce risk, avoid leaving a tampon in for longer than eight hours. What little we know about tampon ingredients which are legally, but wrongfully protected as trade secrets is of huge concern. Shes referring to tampon companies not being required to list the ingredients on the box the way food and beauty companies are. In September 1980, Relys manufacturer removed those tampons from the market.