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. Thanks, So sorry to hear of your experience it is indeed a frustrating situation. If you have sensitive skin, these hypoallergenic, certified organic cotton tampons from Cora might be just what you're looking for. [1] CCOHS (2019) Titanium Dioxide Classified as Possibly Carcinogenic to Humans. There are however many brands who do not use this in their period products. "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 Aimee Eyvazzadeh, MD. They are comfortable and easy to use, just make sure you press down completely on the applicator before removing (it sort of 'clicks' together). 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. 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, again, further study is needed.. "As an oxide, titanium is found in minerals in the earth's crust and is also found with other elements, including calcium and iron. 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. No tampon should be used more than once. And that is what I encourage you all to do to contact the manufacturers of the products you use. There's not much information on how titanium dioxide could affect health when used in tampons. ", Price at time of publication: $10 for 16 count. Which is why you might be alarmed by recent claims on social media about tampons. Are common multivitamins worth the money? "I stopped using tampons when I noticed they'd irritate my lady parts after use. Gunter also added that when products like titanium dioxide are put on fabric, the point is to have them stay on the fabric. Price at time of publication: $6.98 for 20 count. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Lincoln said this led some to believe that. She stressed that its important to remember that correlation in this case does not equal causation. It also appears insunscreen and cosmetics, two categories in which the ingredient is also generally considered safe. the she-quel and creator of URJA Intimates skincare products for the vulva and vagina. Then you can make your own decision. And since the chemical is in the cotton plant it will also be in the cotton produced from the plant. What Are the Symptoms of Having Your Period? In addition to being gynecologist-tested, the tampons are also biodegradable and free from fragrances, dyes, synthetics, and chemicals. "They come in two different sizesregular and superwhich are very convenient depending on the day. We are committed to working for justice and equity, and are in solidarity with social, racial, and environmental justice organizations to build community, understanding and honest dialogue to address the root causes of violence, harm and hate. The decision was based on available scientific research which, although not totally conclusive, found that an accumulation of titanium dioxide in the body could possibly contribute to genotoxicity (i.e., damage at the DNA level that may lead to cancer). And remember, this is inhaled TiO2 atveryhigh levels much higher than the small amount of TiO2 in the strings of tampons. According to Dr. Aly Cohen, founder & medical director of The Smart Human LLC, all of these studies are different. (That's slowly changing after New York passed a law requiring ingredients lists on menstrual products sold in the state). When Aunt Flo makes her monthly visit, some people prefer pads, while other swear by menstrual cups or tampons. While there's concern over This Is L Incs tampons, the use of the ingredient in period products isnt new. I will share what I know about titanium dioxide in tampons! 4 Mistakes That Are Causing You to Waste Money on Skin-Care Serums, According to an Esthetician, These Are the Best Anti-Chafing Denim ShortsAccording to Some Very Happy Reviewers. Understandably, some folks are pretty mad, some are very concerned. 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. These options are often referred to as green alternatives and include: By Andrea Chisholm, MD Tampons are designed to be inserted into the vagina with or without an applicator. Titanium dioxide doesnt dissolve in water, meaning the nanoparticles arent going to dissolve from the tampon string and get into the blood that might be pooling in the vagina and then get absorbed by the body, she wrote. 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. at the Posner Center I would just be a very educated consumer, and I would be aware of what we're putting in our bodies. Just last year the European Food Safety Authority concluded that titanium dioxide can no longer be considered safe in food, because of genotoxicity concerns [2]. Considering each pack comes with 32 tampons, their price isn't even that bad for an all-organic product! A spokesperson for Proctor and Gamble, which manufactures the L. tampons brand, told Insider titanium dioxide is used in the thread that attaches the cord to the absorbent part of the tampon, and . TiO2 was nevertheless banned as a food additive in the EU as of this month. It can be frustrating when you don't have a clear picture of the ingredients in your tampons, toothpaste, chewing gum, and everything in between. Titanium dioxide is a white powder and a common ingredient in many products. I am not into social media. T. One reason is that the FDA evaluates whether a tampon enhances the growth of the bacteria that causes TSS before the product can be legally marketed. If so, keep reading! According to the brand, these organic O.b. So the million-dollar question: is it safe to have titanium dioxide in pads and tampons? When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Most importantly, reviewers say the tampons are both comfortable and absorbent. Theres been a lot of alarmist concern, she said. "Best product ever," raved one customer. And see what they say. The FDA has tested and cleared traditionally used tampons for women to use safely and with confidence.". It's unclear exactly how many brands use TiO2 in their menstrual products. And do not smoke. However, there are no trials to validate this finding in humans. These popular period products are perfect for women with heavy flows because they are designed to expand in all directions to prevent leaks. If you can find products that don't have them, that's gonna lessen your exposure., Follow the less is more approach: Meaning [the] lowest possible use of anything that has not been tested properly, Dr. Cohen said. What we need to think about is, if that's what can happen within the gut, there's a lot to be said for what can happen in the vaginal area., Scranton is among the many experts who agree that its a topic that requires more investigation. In an email statement to theSkimm, the FDA said it has not received any medical device reports related to titanium dioxide and menstrual products. And added that it requires manufacturers to evaluate their period products safety in a number of ways. Titanium dioxide is commonly found in countless everyday products including food, cosmetics, drugs, paper and toothpaste. Should you be splurging to make your body less acidic? Some country-level occupational health and safety organizations cite a lack of high-quality studies from which they can draw any concrete conclusions about the long-term risks of titanium dioxide exposure. And how can we learn more about the products were using? Lets look at what can happen with an acute TiO2 exposure: The last route absorption is the route of question when it comes to the TiO2 in tampons. Despite a small percentage ofTiO2 present in the product, low toxicity risk and an unsupported cause-and-effect exampleare both factors that led me to debunk this claim. Not only are the tampons made from 100% certified organic cotton, but the rounded cardboard applicators are fully biodegradable, making them a fantastic eco-friendly product. Typically, "higher doses can be used topically in a safe manner," he says. Dr. Cohen agrees, saying its important to hold legislators to a higher standard in making sure that they follow through with legislation that really does make sense, like the New York policy.. Tampons are not intended to be used at any other time or . js.src = '//p2a.co/js/embed/widget/advocacywidget.min.js'; The FDA has found that regulated amounts of titanium dioxide are considered safe. But I can tell you this cyst has made my job exhausting and totally draining chasing my toddler around. In fact, in 2021 the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) declared titanium dioxide no longer safer as a food additive. While animal studies give us important information, they cannot be directly generalized to people, Marino said. tampons can provide protection for up to 8 hours at a time, making them a good option for overnight use. ", Price at time of publication: $7.95 for 14 count. While experts agree more studies need to be done on titanium dioxides potential impact on reproductive health, one person's video is motivating millions of people to take control of their health and question what they consume every day. But there's not much research to tell us what the potential effects are of TiO2 in certain other formats, like if you eat a little bit of it in food, or regularly insert small amounts of it in your body via a tampon for a few days each month. "According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), regulated doses of titanium dioxide are not harmful, but this also varies based on use," Dr. Gohar says. A TikTok with more than 3 million views is raising questions about just that. They also like the fact that the tampons are gynecologist-approved and from a women-owned business. Some are alleging that a common ingredient found in many tampon brands called titanium dioxide can cause excessive bleeding, infertility and even cancer. Tampax comes in light, regular, and super absorbencies and . Is it possible todays feminine hygiene products are exposing me to cancer-causing chemicals? Denver, Colorado 80205, Phone: (406) 543-3747 Missoula, MT 59807, Visit us in Denver Cause-and-effect can only be established by rigorous randomized-control, double-blindclinical research trials or meta-analyses of multiple smaller studies, for example. Only tampons that have been cleared by the FDA can be legally marketed in the U.S. Below, Dr. Eyvazzadeh and Erin Flynn, MPH, DNP/FNP, an LGBTQ+ care expert with birth control startup Favor, share the complicated truth behind this question. All rights reserved.