What’s Really in Your Tampons?

For the first time ever, researchers published results from a study of different chemicals found in tampons (Berkeley Public Health, 2024) & (Environment International, 2024). 

The results are shocking: researchers tested 14 different tampon brands and found 16 different metals present in all types of tampons. 

These metals included arsenic, barium, calcium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, mercury, nickel, lead, selenium, strontium, vanadium, and zinc. The negative health effects of exposure to these heavy metals have been proven, such as damage to the liver, kidney, brain, heart, and nerves, as well as increasing the risk of cancer and dementia (Cleveland Clinic, 2022).

Researchers of the Tampon study did not confirm if the metals in the tampons lead to negative health effects, but we, at Vira, can make a guess…

The vagina is one of the most absorbent parts of our body. Its ability to absorb substances is due to its mucous membrane and folds in the lining, which means the vagina has a large surface area. Compared to skin, the vagina absorbs certain substances at a faster rate.

So, if we’re going to insert tampons several days every month into our vaginas, we don’t want to further the risk of being exposed to harmful metals. 

What can we do?

We don’t want this blog post to make you feel helpless. 

We, at Vira, believe your wellness products should support your health—not compromise it. That’s why we recommend choosing certified organic tampons from trusted certification organizations like GOTs (the Global Organic Textile Standard, which is a worldwide standard for processing organic fibers throughout the textile supply chain). It means that these trusted tampons are made from 100% cotton, free from synthetic fragrances, dyes, and unnecessary additives. It’s a simple shift that helps minimize your exposure to environmental toxins and keeps your intimate ecosystem in balance.

Your body deserves clean, gentle care—always.

And while we wait to hear follow up from this Tampon study (further research is underway to determine if the detected metals leach out of tampons and are absorbed by the body), we can take our menstrual health into our own hands. 

• If you use tampons, we encourage you to try Evi Mae tampons

• Organic tampons that are made of 100% organic cotton, so no pesticides, herbicides, or chemical fertilizers used to grow the cotton, and no chlorine used to bleach the cotton.

• Shop now at Vira: https://shopvira.care/products/organic-tampons

• If you want to take a break from tampons, you can try using a Period Cup or Period underwear!

• Shop period pants at Vira: https://shopvira.care/collections/period-care