Concerned About Metal in Tampons? Here’s What You Need to Know

Toxic metals and other potentially harmful elements detected in tampons, study finds. But don’t throw away your tampon box just yet.

A shock wave was sent through the women’s menstrual health ecosystem this week when the results of a study done by researchers at University of California, Berkeley found levels of metals, including toxic metals, present in various tampon products sold around the world. In this first-of-its kind study, researchers evaluated, in total, 24 unique products of varying tampon brands, absorbances, and product lines for the presence of 16 different metals. They found measurable levels of all elements present in each tampon sample studied, with select toxic metals also present among all samples. Should tampon users be concerned?

We know headlines can be noisy, and so we took the time to break down the science behind this study, along with the real-world implications of these findings. At HerMD™, we believe education is the cornerstone of change, and we want to ensure you have the right tools that empower you to make choices that serve you and your health needs. 

Here’s what you should know about this hot topic study:

1. The main objective of this study was to evaluate whether various metals were present in detectable levels among various tampon products. 16 elements, of which 5 are considered toxic metals, were found in commonly sold tampon products in the UK, Greece, and the US. These findings are important, as according to researchers, this is the first study of its kind to measure the presence of metal levels in tampon products. The majority of historical research has evaluated the presence of chemicals in tampon products.
2. Lead (Pb) was found to be present in the highest concentration, when compared to other toxic metals. This finding is alarming, as we know there is no safe or acceptable amount of exposure to lead. It is well-established that exposure to any concentration of lead, whether at low or higher concentrations, can result in negative health outcomes.
3. The vaginal environment is naturally one in which absorption typically occurs well. This may be problematic when unintended substances are introduced into the area. The vagina is lined with mucous membranes that protect the organ and support its functioning. These mucous membranes are also very efficient in absorbing substances and fluids. Combined with the vagina’s structural rugae, or small folds, these characteristics present the perfect opportunity for optimal absorption across a large surface area. Moreover, substances absorbed in the vagina bypass liver filtration, and can wind up directly in the bloodstream.
4. The association between exposure to metals and negative health outcomes was not studied. The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of various metals in tampon products. While the studied elements were, indeed, found to be present among all tampon products, the potential of these elements to cause negative health effects was not studied. Future research studying the relationship between exposure to metals in tampon products and health outcomes is therefore necessary.

Real-world implications:

1. Clinicians and industry innovators have acknowledged the need for this study and verification of what was long-known about the history and development of women’s menstrual products. While these study results may be shocking to consumers, healthcare professionals and experts have, for some time, sought transparency and additional research surrounding development of menstrual products.
2. These study results reflect the historically neglected state of the women’s health ecosystem. For far too long, the health of women has been understudied, and women’s health research has been underfunded. In fact, it wasn’t until 1993 that Congress enacted a law requiring women be included as participants in clinical research trials. Additionally, women’s health topics such as menstruation, among many others, have historically been considered ‘taboo’, although they are finally becoming part of mainstream conversation and resources are being allocated to drive innovation in the space.
3. There is a dire need for improvement in safety standards and regulations enforced in the women’s health space. While it is estimated that 52-86% of menstruators in the United States use tampons, it would be incorrect to safely assume that despite high usage rates, women’s health products, specifically, tampons, do not have the potential to be harmful to users. The presence of any substance, whether naturally occurring or intentionally added for beneficial purposes, poses the opportunity for harm. Therefore, it remains our shared responsibility, including and importantly manufacturers and regulatory agencies, to uphold the highest standards of safety when real-world use of a product is intended.
4. There is a revolution occurring in women’s health. We are witnessing a tremendous rise in technological innovations, including products, devices, and applications formulated to address the health needs of women. As these innovations are developed, it will be important for manufacturers and producers to ensure all innovations are developed while adhering to the highest standards.
5. More research is needed to fully understand the implications of these study results. While it may be tempting to throw away that box of tampons, more research needs to be done first on the potential health harms associated with the presence of metals in tampon products. We might begin to speculate about the potential, negative health effects associated with tampon use, but we must obtain additional information on this relationship before drawing behavior-changing conclusions. Ultimately, we know that these study results are important, and should serve as a catalyst for change in the tampon manufacturing and production processes.

The bottom line: 

The time is right to invest in women’s health. These study results strengthen the cause for increased funding, education, and prioritization of women’s health. They highlight the need for immediate change and improvement across the women’s health ecosystem, because patients wholeheartedly deserve better.  

Sources:

Shearston, Jenni A et al. “Tampons as a source of exposure to metal(loid)s.” Environment international, vol. 190 108849. 22 Jun. 2024, doi:10.1016/j.envint.2024.108849

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Lead. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health. Accessed July 10, 2024, from https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/lead

Office of Research on Women’s Health. History of Women’s Participation in Clinical Research. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health. Accessed July 10, 2024, from https://orwh.od.nih.gov/toolkit/recruitment/history 

The medical content in this article has been reviewed by Karla Loken, DO, OBGYN, FACOOG for accuracy.