What Is Actually Hiding Inside Your Monthly Cotton Tampon Box?

 Ten years ago no one I knew checked the back of our tampon boxes. We just grabbed whatever was on offer and put it in our basket. However, now in my group chat we will send articles about this. Whilst this is a lovely addition we all now check the labels on our cereal and our shampoo, but rarely on our tampons which go inside one of the most absorbent parts of our bodies.

The vagina is thinner and will absorb more than our skin on our arms. Whilst not all products inside a regular tampon will be harmful, it’s still important to know what’s inside and have control. This is where non toxic period products come in.

What’s Inside A Regular Tampon?


Most conventional tampons will be a mix of cotton and rayon. Sometimes they will be mostly rayon. Rayon is a man-made fibre, made from chemical processing of wood pulp. Tampons will also have a string, applicator and wrapping. They may also have a fragrance.

However, unlike food products, brands in the US do not have to specify every ingredient on the packaging. Tampons are classed as medical devices so they are not regulated in the same way.Whilst some brands now do provide more info, many do not. Sometimes the labels can be quite vague which can be a real issue which is why many people turned to organic toxic free tampons.

Rayon, Bleach & Dioxin

You’ll have probably heard of dioxin. This is a by-product which can occur when wood pulp or cotton is bleached with chlorine. In the past elemental chlorine was used which was bad news. However, most major brands now use elemental chlorine free bleaching so there are hardly any traces left. The FDA also states the levels are very low.

Whilst this probably isn’t an issue, there are still traces left in the product. You will be using hundreds if not thousands of tampons over 30-40 years. This means small amounts can build up. There has not really been much research into long term exposure to these products. Whilst it’s not a cause for panic, if you can use a completely chlorine free, non bleached or oxygen whitened tampon why wouldn’t you?

Fragrance

If I could only get one message across it would be to avoid fragrance. Fragrance can be masking a large number of ingredients. Companies don’t have to specify what is inside. Our vaginas clean themselves. They are a delicate system with their own PH, bacteria etc.

Scented tampons/pads can cause irritation. Some women suffer with itchiness, dryness and soreness and blame their body or think they have an infection. Sometimes it can simply be the product. Switching to a fragrance free, dye free product is one of the easiest wins in non toxic period products. It won’t cost you anything extra (although sometimes it can be a couple of dollars).

What Does Organic Cotton Mean?

Organic is a word which can be used often. Organic cotton means it has been grown without using synthetics such as pesticides, herbicides and genetically modified seeds. Conventional cotton is one of the most heavily sprayed crops on earth. Whilst pesticides can remain in the tampon they usually won’t be in high quantities. However, why take the chance?

Look out for GOTS certified or USDA organic. Some tampons may just say natural or made with organic cotton. This will usually just be mostly conventional cotton with some organic mixed in. Real organic toxic free tampons should be 100% organic cotton. No rayon blends or hidden ingredients. This is because they have paid to be certified.

How To Read The Label

When buying tampons the first thing to look at is the back of the box. Look for the material to be listed. Try to find a tampon made from just cotton. Look at the applicator. Look for chlorine free, fragrance free & dye free. Also look for a third party certification.

If the brand is vague with what they’re putting inside then this is a red flag. If they list the ingredients on the front this is a massive red flag. Smaller brands will tend to be better with this which is why we stock the brands we do. Don’t worry if you can’t find perfect products. There is a lot of grey areas and research is still being carried out. A study in 2024 found trace metals in tampons (including organic ones). No product is a miracle. We need better testing across the board. Do your best and aim for the cleanest product.

Applicators, Packaging & Other Things You May Not Know About

Everyone talks about the cotton but nobody talks about the plastic applicator, plastic wrapping and plastic box. This is important. Try to find a cardboard applicator. Some brands don’t have applicators so you simply use your finger. This is completely normal and nothing gross. Just ensure your hands are clean.

Choosing brands who have compostable wrappings or minimal packaging will help the planet. We may all throw away thousands of period products in our lives. Most of this plastic will be in a landfill for centuries. Choosing brands with compostable wrappings will make your routine a little cleaner. If you really want to go the extra mile there are cups, discs and period underwear. This is another part of non toxic period products.

How To Switch

Don’t throw your entire stock away. This would be wasteful. Simply finish your current stock and next cycle try a box of organic cotton tampons. See how they feel. Some say they feel softer and less drying whilst others don’t notice a difference.

Two quick notes. Organic tampons do not remove your risk of toxic shock syndrome. TSS is rare but serious. It can occur if tampons are left in for too long or using a higher absorbency.

  • Always change your tampon every 4-8 hours.

  • Use the lowest absorbency you need and never leave a tampon in for longer than 8 hours whilst sleeping.

  • If you feel something is wrong (fever, rash, dizziness) remove your tampon and contact a doctor. Not tomorrow.

Conclusion

We don’t expect you to completely change your bathroom overnight. However it’s not extreme to be aware of what you’re putting inside your body whilst on your period. Non toxic period products reduce unknowns, reduce irritation for many people and you have more control. Organic toxic free tampons are one of the easiest places to start as you use them every month.

Start with reading labels. Remove any fragrance. Try one box of 100% organic cotton and see what your body thinks. If you need help finding something to work with your flow and budget we’ve got you!

FAQs

What are non toxic period products?

Non toxic period products are period products which do not contain synthetic fragrance, dyes, chlorine bleaching, pesticides or heavy plastic fillers. Examples include organic cotton tampons/pads, cups, discs and period underwear.

Are organic tampons really safer?

They can be a cleaner option as they do not contain rayon blends, fragrance or pesticides. However, how safe they are depends on how you use them. TSS still can occur so always follow the guidelines.

What should I look for in organic toxic free tampons?

Look for 100% certified organic cotton. Look for GOTS or USDA organic. Look for fragrance free, dye free and chlorine free. Avoid vague terms like natural with no certification.

Do tampons contain toxic chemicals?

Some conventional tampons may contain trace amounts of chemicals from the bleaching, pesticides and fragrance. However the levels are generally low. Sometimes the ingredients aren’t fully specified which is why many choose cleaner options.

Will switching to organic tampons help with irritation?

It can for some people. Especially if the irritation was due to fragrance or synthetic fibres. If you keep getting irritated, talk to your doctor to rule out infection.

How often should I change my tampons?

Every 4-8 hours. Never leave it for longer than 8 hours. Use the lowest absorbency you need. Whether you use organic or not.

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