"These tampons are fantastic," wrote one customer. These videos were chemophobia, Gunter declared, and fear mongering. The virtual freak out on TikTok over titanium dioxidea natural mineral approved by the Food and Drug Administration that is used in a variety of products, including sunscreen, cosmetics, food,. But the video is raising important questions: What is titanium dioxide? As far as hypothetical exposure risk, the tampon would pose a more significant exposure as it is worn internally. a woman on tiktok said that she "has been bleeding for 13 days, has ovarian cysts, and has to check for cancer" because she's used the L. brand tampons. Theres been a lot of alarmist concern, she said. Here's what the experts suggest Keep it simple: Things like colorants, whiteners, and fragrances are not necessary to the product, Scranton said. "Organic tampons are available as an alternative for women who prefer to go this route," said Dr. Ross. The compound is used safely in many foods and cosmetics, but it's still banned in foods in the UK. If you take a quick stroll through the aisles of a grocery store or drugstore, you'll find there's an organic option for just about everything these days, including produce, deodorant, and even tampons. I have been researching health impacts of pads and tampons for nearly a decade, so I love having all this new ingredient info. The TikTok user who posted the video makes theclaim that TiO2 has been linked to cancer and multiple gynecological issues. TiO2 It is mined from the Earth and then processed into an inorganic solid white compound most commonlyused as a pigment in paints, food coloring, sunscreenand cosmetic products. 4.7 out of 5 stars. But we [also] don't have the data to support, Don't worry about this. They are in your food, your clothes, your makeup, and skincare products just to name a few of your daily exposures. As to whether its nanoparticals in the string or not, once blood an other fluids touches the chemical its most likely all fusing together and that is going inside our very sensitive systems. Alkaline water:Should you be splurging to make your body less acidic? Once again we are reminded how important it is that we have ingredient information, and how woefully under-researched the potential impacts that ingredients used in menstrual products and intimate care products might be having on vaginal and vulvar health. According to the brand, the tampons feature a unique design that keeps "fluids locked in the core for added security. And as of March 2022, the FDA maintains its position that titanium dioxide may be safely used as a food coloring. L. Organic 100% Cotton Core Tampons Regular, 76 Count Free standard shipping with $35 orders. Including how tampons affect vaginal bacteria. Switch it up: Try something different for a month particularly if you're having some sort of acute reaction and see how you feel, Scranton suggested. Dr. Dziadek added that if people dont feel comfortable with tampons, they can try menstrual cups. Chemistry class was a long time ago. No issues with the applicator and love the discreet packaging. "Titanium dioxide is the naturally occurring compound created when titanium reacts with oxygen in the air," explains endocrinologist and advisor at reproductive-health company Natalist, Skittles (and its parent company, Mars Inc.), approved titanium dioxide for human consumptionin 1966. including candies and other processed foods. If you use tampons, consider the following: If you have had discomfort or became ill as a result of using a tampon, consider reporting it to MedWatch, the FDAs safety information and adverse event reporting program. But this amount varies by product. Unbelievable. ", Price at time of publication: $13.98 for 36 count. If so, keep reading! 10 Best Tampon Brands In 2023, According To Ob-Gyns - Women's Health Titanium dioxide exposure would not be on that list. (no offense) What To Know About Titanium Dioxide In Tampons and Skittles Sunscreens can have concentrations of up to 25%. In a somewhat tasteless move, some tamponbrands even tried to take advantage of the fear gripping users on the platform and decided to take advantage of the moment to announce that their products did not have titanium dioxide. Heres What Your Bodys Trying to Tell You, National Library of Medicine: Titanium dioxide, U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Questions and Answers: FDA posts deemed final order and proposed order for over-the-counter sunscreen, European Food Safety Authority: Titanium dioxide: E171 no longer considered safe when used as a food additive, U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Code of Federal Regulations Title 21, New Jersey Department of Health: Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet: Titanium Dioxide, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health: Impact of Food Additive Titanium Dioxide on Gut Microbiota Composition, Microbiota-Associated Functions, and Gut Barrier: A Systematic Review of In Vivo Animal Studies. ", Price at time of publication: $11.25 for 32 count. Sunscreen can safely contain up to 25% titanium dioxide. I wish I could explain what has happened to you and to the others who have responded to the viral TikToks with similar stories of their own. Morgans TikTok has received more than 30,000 comments on the platform and spurred countlessvideoresponses from other users and creators swearing off L. tampons and any other tampons with titanium dioxide. Likely in your daily life, you have much more significant exposures to this class of chemicals. Is Titanium Dioxide in Tampons and Pads Safe? | Well+Good Walmart customers love these super plus organic cotton tampons from Lola so much, they have given them an impressive 4.3-star rating. Most importantly, reviewers say the tampons are both comfortable and absorbent. I will share what I know about titanium dioxide in tampons! ", One shopper wrote, "I used to use Tampax, but things changed as I got older and I needed something more absorbent and more comfortable. It's protecting you from UV rays. How Often to Change Tampons or Pads During Your Period, The 12 Best Period Underwear of 2023, Tested and Reviewed, How to Stop Bacterial Vaginosis From Coming Back Permanently, Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals and Cancer, Here's Why It's So Hard to Know If Your Period Underwear Is PFAS-Free, GMO (genetically modified organism) farming, Tampons and pads made from organic cotton, Diamanti-Kandarakis E et al, Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals: An Endocrine Society Scientific Statement, Endocrine Review 2009 Jun;30(4) 293-342. The toxic substance produced by the bacteria can cause organ damage (including kidney, heart, and liver failure), shock, and even death. These popular period products are perfect for women with heavy flows because they are designed to expand in all directions to prevent leaks. A recent TikTok video went viral with the false claim that the titanium dioxide used in L. brand organic tampons is responsible for miscarriages, cancer and a host of other medical problems. After August 7, the EU is banning it. ", Price at time of publication: $10 for 16 count. Should you be splurging to make your body less acidic? It is also important to note that the high-profile studies in mice showing inflammation and genetic changes involved force ingestion of massive amounts of titanium dioxide, which would not be possible for every day Americans to replicate through consumer product exposures., Marino speculated that the confusion and recent attention to titanium dioxide was related to a 2021 ban of the mineral by the European Food Safety Authority, which cited concern about the mouse data in its decision although even that data did not support the idea that it is a carcinogen.. There is some evidence to suggest that titanium dioxide may have a carcinogenic effect in some formats. These products are made from cotton and it is actually the cotton contained in these products that are the potential problem. Are There Toxic Chemicals in Your Tampons? Shipping details. This is the case for period care products, even those made with organic cotton. Even better, organic tampons also typically use more eco-friendly applicators, such as biodegradable cardboard or BPA-free plastic applicators that are derived from plant-based materials. Because one of the ingredients on the back of her container is titanium dioxide, which if you dont know, causes cancer, Morgan said. And there honestly isn't a ton of reliable data on the ingredient to help us draw better conclusions, argues the authors of this 2011 review. Lincoln said this led some to believe that. While paying $300 a month for health insurance. If youre still super worried, and I hear you, then use something else, like pads or menstrual cups or whatnot, Lincoln, who has 2.8 million followers on TikTok, said. As a result, it's not too difficult to shop for TiO2-free tampons if you're concernedand have the financial means to do so. And remember, this is inhaled TiO2 atveryhigh levels much higher than the small amount of TiO2 in the strings of tampons. "I don't feel as though organic tampons are necessarily any safer than the traditionally manufactured tampons available to the consumer," she said. Is Titanium Dioxide in Tampons Safe? | Penileclinic.com I am less concerned with the level of titanium dioxide in tamponsthan I am with how social media users dangerously, and unchecked, amplifymisinformation. There are several health concerns regarding TiO2. Is this an emergency? And since the chemical is in the cotton plant it will also be in the cotton produced from the plant. Typically, "higher doses can be used topically in a safe manner," he says. If you have sensitive skin, these hypoallergenic, certified organic cotton tampons from Cora might be just what you're looking for. He is also a former United States Peace Corps Volunteer. In the video, which has received nearly eight million views and 1.5 million likes at the time of publication, user Rachel Morgan holds up a box of 100% organic cotton core tampons from the brand L., owned by Proctor & Gamble, and tells user to stop what theyre doing and check the ingredients on the back of the box. A recent TikTok video went viral with the false claim that the titanium dioxide used in L. brand organic tampons is responsible for miscarriages, cancer and a host of other medical problems.. (The FDA says that manufacturers can have no more than 1 percent TiO2 in food.). Dr. Katrine Wallace, an epidemiologist and adjunct assistant professor at University of Illinois at Chicago, is another debunker of TikTok misinformation and has more than 267,000 followers on the platform. Tampon safety scare goes viral on TikTok - New York Post Ingestion: likely not harmful at the low levels we typically encounter it. Heres what we know about exposure to titanium dioxide right now: If you inhale titanium dioxide particles it can possibly lead to lung cancer at least we know it causes lung cancer in rats [1]. There is accumulating data suggesting an association with the EDCs (including the glyphosate found in cotton) with several conditions including but not limited to: This is a complicated question. Even better, for every box of tampons sold in the United States, the brand donates 43 cents to nonprofit organizations to offset the "period tax" and help make period products more accessible to women in need. How Bad Is It Really to Use Baby Powder 'Down There?'. Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is rare and is caused by a toxic substance that is produced by certain kinds of bacteria. Then you can make your own decision. Probably, at this point in time, the best answer is, We dont know. Likely the amount of glyphosate in feminine hygiene products is relatively small. As shown in the viral TikTok video, some organic tampons contain titanium dioxide as a bleaching agent. Also Im not looking for attention. And performed in ways that account for different titanium dioxide levels and time of exposure. With all these questions, we turned to experts for answers. by theorganicbunny on August 3, 2022. As an emergency roomdoctor, there would be many possible (and more likely) emergency room causes of excessive menstrual bleeding that I would evaluate a patient for. Viral TikTok Falsely Says Tampon Titanium Dioxide Causes Cancer - Gizmodo In a post on her Vajenda Substack on Wednesday, Gunter said that as a result of the videos on TikTok, she had received panicked messages from women worried that their tampons were the cause of their pre-cancer of the cervix. Theres also period underwear. While animal studies give us important information, they cannot be directly generalized to people, Marino said. But their favorite part seems to be the fact that they are made from 90% plant-based materials. But if you don't see the word titanium dioxide, that doesn't necessarily mean the chemical isn't in your tampons. We should be able to make a period product that does not lead to cysts! Do Organic Tampons Contain Titanium Dioxide? - TOTM Rebecca Carhart is a Senior Ecommerce Reviews Writer covering home, fashion, beauty, and lifestyle products. L. brand tampons use titanium dioxide as pigment in the thread that attaches the stringto the absorbent part of the tampon. We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best "Titanium dioxide is a naturally occurring substance that is often used in food and other topical products to create a whiter and brighter look," Dr. Gohar says. What we have now is some really interesting studies on titanium dioxide, showing that there's a disruption of the gut microbiome when you ingest it, Dr. Cohen said. Some. Chemicals are everywhere. These Veeda tampons are as eco-friendly as they can possibly get. Some tampons include titanium dioxide, which makes them appear whiter and brighter. The FDA discourages the use of reusable tampons. The Facts on Tamponsand How to Use Them Safely | FDA That said, with all the scientific evidence accumulating in other areas, consumers should be more aware of titanium dioxide's potential effect on reproductive health, Dr. Gohar says. Love, love, love it. All rights reserved. I wanted to do more research before just jumping and following this narrative blindly. Making a purchase through our links may earn Well+Good a commission. Do you need an 'armpit detox?' Choose from Same Day Delivery, Drive Up or Order Pickup. Have a beautiful child. When Aunt Flo makes her monthly visit, some people prefer pads, while other swear by menstrual cups or tampons.