What about heavy metals?
Evi Mae tampons are certified by GOTSⓇ (Global Organic Textile Standard), the world’s leading standard for textiles made with organic fibers. This certification guarantees:
- No genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
- No synthetic chemicals
- Social and environmental protections across all stages of production
- No heavy metals or PFAS
What about Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)?
We completely understand your concern — it’s good to be informed. Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) is a rare but serious bacterial infection that’s been linked to tampon use, especially when tampons are worn for too long (usually over 8 hours) or if very high-absorbency tampons are used when not needed.
TSS affects an estimated 1 to 3 in every 100,000 menstruating people per year, and with proper tampon use, the risk is very low.
Here’s what you can do to reduce your risk:
- Choose the right absorbency for your flow — not more than you need
- Change your tampon every 4–8 hours
- Wash your hands before and after inserting a tampon
- Avoid sleeping with a tampon in for longer than 8 hours — use a pad or period underwear instead.
Will tampons hurt?
Insertion might feel strange, but tampons shouldn't be painful once in place. To reduce pain during insertion, try deep breathing to help relax pelvic floor muscles, which can tense up during insertion and cause discomfort. The key is to minimize muscle tension to make insertion easier. You got this!
At Vira, we also recommend using tampons made from organic, breathable materials (like Evi Mae) as part of a more holistic approach to menstrual care. While organic cotton doesn’t eliminate the risk of TSS, it avoids certain chemicals and synthetics that can irritate the vaginal environment.
If you ever experience sudden fever, vomiting, dizziness, or a rash while using a tampon — remove it and seek medical help right away, just to be safe.