If you’re a woman who uses tampons during your period, you’ll use about 16,000 of them in your lifetime. Do you know what’s in your tampons? And if they’re safe for the most sensitive part of your body?
WELCOME TO Fatal Conveniences™.
About 70% of menstruating women choose to use tampons.
I’m not going to pretend to know anything about what it’s like to get your period every month. And trust me, I’m not going to mansplain to you how to deal with it. But I happen to have a lot of amazing women in my life, and I care about the issues that affect them. And a topic I frequently get asked to cover is tampons. So we dove into the research… It was troubling, to say the least.
I get why tampons are the most commonly used product to deal with menstrual blood. They seem super convenient, and less messy than other options. But what concerns me is that most tampon manufacturers are not telling you what ingredients are in their products. The most commonly found brands in stores are making tampons full of harmful chemicals. And these chemicals are going into the most sensitive part of a woman’s body, and sitting there for hours!
In this episode I break down the damaging chemicals found in tampons, and what they do to your body. We also cover Toxic Shock Syndrome and what you need to know about it. Don’t worry, you don’t have to stop using tampons if that’s your preference. But I will give you some safe brands to look for instead, as well as some other options my women friends tell me are worth trying. No menstruation stigma here- let’s talk about tampons!
BREAKDOWN
[00:01:45] Period products through history
[00:04:20] So what’s the problem with tampons?
[00:06:35] Testing for tampons: Is it enough?
[00:07:22] What is Toxic Shock Syndrome?
[00:09:05] Dioxin in tampons
[00:10:35] So, can I still use tampons?
LINKS
The Embryo Project: Tampons
Myths About Ancient Tampons
The History of Tampons
Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals Found in Tampons
Waste from Tampons and Sanitary Pads
Planet-Friendly Periods
Tampon Safety
RECOMMENDATIONS
Natracare- Safe Tampons
Nixit
Diva Cup
Cora Cup
Tree Hugger Re-Usable Pads
New Moon Pads
Download Episode Transcript Here
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