We've been so busy obsessing over all the various ways we absorb carcinogens that we totally forgot about one major bodily entry point: our vaginas. For all the tampons we've stuffed in there over the years, we definitely haven't spent enough time reading the ingredient list. And, since the skin in and around our vaginas is highly permeable, now seems like a good time to start thinking about it.
Apparently, though, even if we wanted to find out what's in our little absorbant friends, the information wouldn't be available. In a Huffington Post piece, Dr. Joseph Mercola writes, "Tampon and sanitary pad manufacturers aren't required to disclose ingredients because feminine hygiene products are considered 'medical devices.'" The average sanitary napkin contains plastic, and based on what we know about BPA in plastic, this could be cause for concern. Additionally, Dr. Mercola warns that the whiteness of tampons and pads comes from bleach, "which can create toxic dioxin." He warns that dioxin can lead to abnormal tissue and cell growth, among other health problems.
It's important to note that Dr. Mercola likes to write about how almost everything is killing us, though his points in this article do seem valid. Many of us who use Diva Cups instead of tampons are taking his advice as an affirmation of our menstrual choices. Check out this article on The Huffington Post about the toxins in your tampons, and let us know what you think. Are the ingredients in sanitary napkins and tampons something you've considered before? (The Huffington Post.)