Tampax products have empowered millions of women to live without limits since they first appeared on the market in 1936. We have always been there to protect you in your most important moments, and that protection begins with your safety. So you can continue to use Tampax tampons for the ultimate in protection and comfort – all while knowing it is safe for you to do so.
You might still have some questions about the ingredients used to make a Tampax tampon. We want you to feel informed and confident that you’re making the best possible choice for your body and your health. Below are the answers to tampon questions.
Q: I’ve heard you bleach your tampons. Is that true?
A: Bleaching is a technical term for fiber purification. We purify our cotton and rayon to assure the fibers are clean and imperfections are removed. So while we bleach our tampons in the technical sense of the word, it is an elemental bleaching process that does not involve chlorine bleach – the chemical kind you use in your laundry.
Q: I’ve heard that tampons contain toxic amounts of dioxin due to bleaching. What’s up with that?
A: This is not true. Tampax tampons contain NO dioxin. Purifying – or bleaching – our cotton and rayon involves an elemental chlorine-free process that does not produce dioxin. The FDA has addressed this topic on its website, and you can read more about it here.
Q: Is there asbestos in my tampons?
A: Not at all! Tampax tampons have never contained asbestos. This issue stemmed from a completely false internet rumor, which the FDA has discredited on its website here.
Q: Is it true that wearing a tampon causes Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)?
A: Toxic Shock Syndrome is a rare, but serious disease that is associated with tampon use. It’s believed to be caused by toxin-producing strains of the Staphylococcus aureus bacterium. Tampon research shows that the risk of tampon-related TSS is associated with absorbency: the higher the absorbency, the higher the risk; the lower the absorbency, the lower the risk. Just make sure you’re using the lowest absorbency necessary for your flow. Also be sure to use a pad from time to time during your period.
Q: Is the cotton used by Tampax genetically modified?
A: The absorbent tampon material is either cotton or rayon or a combination of both. We obtain our cotton from suppliers, and some of these suppliers may include cotton fiber cultivated from genetically modified cotton plants or non-genetically modified cotton plants. It is important to stress that genetic modification of cotton relates to the plant and seed, not to the fiber itself. The cotton harvested from plants grown from genetically modified seed is not engineered in any way and is therefore equivalent and indistinguishable from cotton harvested from non-genetically modified seed.
We know that girls and parents have a lot of questions when it comes to periods and using tampons can be a bit scary at first. That’s why we partner with Girlology, a non-profit group that educates adolescents and parents on puberty and health. Check out their great e-books and other resources on their website here.
