Are tampons safe to use? FDA investigates toxic metals in popular brands after shocking study results

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before making any changes to your menstrual product use.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating reports of heavy metals, such as lead, arsenic and cadmium, found in tampons. This investigation follows a July 2024 pilot study that detected these metals in both organic and nonorganic tampons.

The study, led by Jenni Shearston with the University of California, Berkeley, tested 30 tampons from 14 brands and found "detectable concentrations" of several toxic metals.

While tampons are a staple period product for millions, new findings have left many questioning the safety of these products, especially considering the sensitive nature of vaginal tissue. But should you worry? Here's what experts have to say.

What are heavy metals — and why are they found in tampons?

Heavy metals, like lead, arsenic and cadmium, are naturally occurring elements that can become toxic in certain amounts. These metals can contaminate tampons during the manufacturing process, including through the bleaching of cotton or other raw materials used in production.

"We found 12 of the 16 metals we tested for, including some toxic metals like lead, present in 100 per cent of the tampons we tested," Shearston told the Environmental Factor. However, she emphasized the presence of metals does not necessarily indicate a health risk.

"This is the first study, to our knowledge, to measure metals in tampons," Shearston noted. "We don't yet know if these metals can come out of the tampons or be absorbed by the body, so we don't know if they could have any impact on health."

Why are people talking about it?

Concerns about tampon safety aren't new. However, the recent studies have reignited these fears. According to the FDA, the pilot study detected the presence of heavy metals but didn't test whether these metals are released during tampon use or absorbed into the vaginal lining.

In response, the FDA has commissioned an independent literature review and an internal laboratory study to evaluate the real-world impact of these findings.

"These initiatives will enable the FDA to complete a risk assessment of metals contained in tampons, based on a worst-case scenario of metal exposure," the FDA said in a public notice shared Sept. 10. The agency's review will assess how much, if any, metals leach from tampons under conditions that mimic normal use. It will also evaluate the associated health effects of these chemicals, the NPR reported.

Should people who menstruate be worried?

Some experts say more research is needed to understand the potential health impacts of metals in tampons. According to Abee Boyles, a health scientist administrator at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) in the U.S., there needs to be more data on the long-term safety of products like tampons.

"There is surprisingly little information available about the long-term safety of feminine hygiene products," Boyles told the Environmental Factor. "Not just what is in the products, as this paper addresses, but also what chemicals are absorbed into the body and if there are impacts on the health of menstruating people from these common, recurrent exposures."

The findings are especially concerning given the vagina's capacity for absorbing chemicals compared to other parts of the body.

"Although toxic metals are ubiquitous and we are exposed to low levels at any given time, our study clearly shows that metals are also present in menstrual products and that women might be at higher risk for exposure using these products," Kathrin Schilling, an assistant professor at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health and study co-author, told Al Jazeera earlier this summer.

Experts advise against immediate panic. "I want to encourage people not to panic at this point," Shearston told Health. "We don't know if these metals could be contributing to any kind of negative health effect."

What are the alternatives to conventional tampons?

For those who are concerned about potential exposure to harmful substances, safer alternatives are available. Options like organic cotton tampons, menstrual cups, reusable pads and period underwear can reduce exposure to chemicals.

Perspectives

More research is needed

"We don't know if the metals can come out of the tampon," Jenni Shearston, lead study author and postdoctoral scholar in environmental science, told Health. "If they can, that raises the question of whether they can also be absorbed by the body."

"I think it's important that we ask for clear labeling on our products so that people can make informed decisions for themselves based on their own values and health priorities," Shearston also told the NPR. "And I think it's also important that we try to get better testing, especially of heavy metals like arsenic or lead in tampons so we can make sure everyone's safe."

"The surprising factor is not that there are heavy metals in tampons but that we are only now aware of this fact," Dr. Banafsheh Bayati, a California-based OB-GYN, told Vogue.

Concerns over vaginal absorption

"The findings by a team of researchers are especially concerning because of the vagina's greater capacity for absorbing chemicals compared with other parts of the body," Dwayne Oxford wrote in Al Jazeera.

"The vaginal mucosa has a large surface area that is highly vascular and permeable. As a result, the vagina allows for efficient absorption of chemicals. More importantly, this absorption enters the systemic circulation, bypassing the liver for detoxification," Bayati said to Vogue.

Statements from companies and regulators

The FDA has defended the safety of tampons but acknowledged the need for further research. "The comprehensive review of the published literature will provide a better understanding of the data currently available regarding the presence of chemicals in tampons and, importantly, any associated health effects of those chemicals," the agency stated, according to the NPR.

The Consumer Healthcare Products Association noted in a statement earlier this month that its products "are rigorously tested" to meet "strict regulatory standards," though it is "supportive of continued research to help ensure the safe use of these products," CNN reported.

Period care can be reframed

"From the response to this article, it's obvious that this is something that people care about," Miller Morris, founder of period care company Comma, said to Health. "I'm hoping that this is a turning point and a reframing of period care."

"This study is incredibly important in highlighting the need to push funding for women's health. Women's health is historically underrepresented, understudied and underfunded," Bayati told Vogue.

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