Let’s be real—there are a lot of wild rumours floating around about tampons. You’ve probably heard whispers about toxic shock syndrome (TSS), scary chemicals, or tampons somehow getting lost inside you. But here’s the thing: most of these tampon health risks are way overblown.
Tampons are one of the most popular period products out there. Research suggests that over 100 million women use tampons every day. If tampons were truly ticking time bombs, we’d see a lot more problems. Most of these tampon health risks come from misinformation, not facts. So, let’s dive into the biggest myths and bust them one by one!
Myth #1: “Using a Tampon Will Give You Toxic Shock Syndrome”
Let’s start with the monster under the bed: Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS). Yes, TSS is real and serious – but it’s also incredibly rare. Back in the early 1980s, there was a spike of TSS cases linked to a super-absorbent tampon. About 814 cases were reported in 1980 with 38 deaths. Scary, right? But manufacturers got the memo ASAP and changed materials and guidelines. Today, studies show that TSS from tampons affects an estimated 1 in 100,000 people – that’s a 0.001% chance. In other words, your odds of NOT getting TSS are about 99.999%!
To put it in perspective, you’re more likely to be struck by lightning than get TSS from a period tampon.
TSS happens when certain bacteria (often Staph aureus) grow and release toxins in your bloodstream. The myth is that “tampon = TSS guaranteed,” but science says otherwise. The biggest factor in this tampon health risk is leaving a tampon in for way too long. Use a tampon correctly and your risk is extremely low.
Our Tips: Always follow the safety guidelines. Change your tampon every 4-8 hours (most brands say 4-6 hours to be extra safe). Don’t sleep a full 8+ hours with one in – if you need overnight protection, opt for a pad or menstrual cup and avoid that tampon-pad combo at night. And use the lowest absorbency you need for your flow. These simple habits keep TSS at bay.
Myth #2: “Tampons Are Full of Harmful Chemicals and Toxins”
People whisper that tampons contain everything from bleach to asbestos. Yikes! Let’s unpack this.
Myth: Tampons are soaked in dangerous chemicals that cause cancer or infertility.
Truth: Tampons are actually regulated as a medical device (at least in the U.S.), and reputable manufacturers don’t dump random toxins in them. The FDA even reviews tampon safety before they hit the market.
Let’s cover these ‘toxins’ one by one:
1. Asbestos
One infamous rumour claimed companies put asbestos in tampons to make you bleed more (so you’d buy more). This is 100% urban legend – the FDA confirmed no asbestos has ever been found in tampons.
2. Bleach
As for the bleaching process: decades ago, tampons were bleached with elemental chlorine, which could leave trace amounts of a toxin called dioxin. But since the late 1990s, tampon makers switched to chlorine-free bleaching, virtually eliminating that source of dioxin. Today, any dioxin in tampons is only there in microscopic traces from the environment (dioxins are basically everywhere at tiny levels). We’re talking 0.1 to 1 parts per trillion detected in tampons – an amount so small it’s hard to even imagine. Health authorities say that’s not a dangerous level, especially compared to the dioxin we all absorb from everyday food and air.
3. Metals
What about those scary levels of “toxic metals” in tampons? Recently, a study did find very small amounts of metals like lead and arsenic in various tampon brands. That sounds alarming, but hold on: the researchers basically boiled tampons in acid to detect those metals. In real life, your vagina is not an acid bath at 180°C!
Research says it’s unclear if our bodies absorb any of those metal traces at all during normal use. It pointed out that any heavy metal exposure from tampons is minimal compared to what we encounter in daily life via air, water, and food.
So while researchers are calling for more safety testing (which is a good thing!), there’s no evidence that the tiny traces of chemicals in tampons cause any harm.
Our Tips: If you’re still anxious about chemicals, you do have options. You can choose plant-based or hypoallergenic tampons. Nua’s EaseFit tampons are made with a plant-based core and are 100% toxic-free. They’re gynaecologist-tested, hypoallergenic, and have a rapid absorption core for leak-proof protection. In other words, they’re designed to give you peace of mind about what’s going into your body.
Myth #3: “Tampons Cause Infections or Other Down-There Issues”
Some folks worry that using a menstrual tampon isn’t hygienic – like it might cause yeast infections, urinary tract infections (UTIs), or just throw off your vaginal health. Let’s dive into these!
1. Infections
Here’s the scoop: a tampon itself won’t cause an infection if used correctly. Your vagina is pretty amazing at keeping its balance. Yeast infections happen when that balance is upset (often by antibiotics, high sugar diets, or other factors, not by a tampon). As long as you don’t leave your tampon in longer than recommended, it shouldn’t cause yeast infections or bacterial imbalance.
Tampons themselves are sterile when packaged and do not introduce bacteria into the body. In fact, changing tampons regularly (every few hours) keeps everything clean and dry, which can prevent bacterial overgrowth that might happen if you left a pad on too long.
2. UTIs
Tampons don’t cause UTIs either. Urine comes out of a completely separate hole (the urethra) and not where the tampon sits. You can pee with a tampon in, no problem – it might get the string a bit wet, but that doesn’t increase infection risk. Just pat the string dry. The only caution: if you have a bowel movement, be careful not to get poop on the tampon string, because that could introduce bacteria that can cause a UTI. But that’s more of a general hygiene tip than a strike against tampons.
3. Dryness
Another myth: “tampons will make me dry or hurt.” A tampon shouldn’t hurt at all when inserted properly. If it’s uncomfortable, it might be the wrong absorbency (too big when your flow is light) or not inserted fully (here’s an insertion guide).
It’s true that a super-absorbent tampon can cause some dryness if your flow is light – so match the tampon absorbency to your flow to stay comfy. Also, unscented is usually better; scented tampons can irritate some people. If you have sensitive skin or allergies, look for hypoallergenic tampons (like Nua’s, which are fragrance-free).
Our Tips: Overall, tampons are very hygienic. They’re single-use and sterile out of the package. Just wash your hands before and after inserting one (common sense!). And remember to change it regularly. Used properly, a tampon won’t upset your vaginal health. It’s designed to work with your body, not against it.
We’ve covered the tampon health risks in this post, but there are a lot of social and cultural myths about tampons too! Here’s a breakdown of those.
If you’re a beginner, all these facts might be reassuring, but you could still be thinking, “Okay… but how do I actually use a tampon for the first time without freaking out?” Don’t worry, girl – we got this. Here are some quick tips on how to use tampons comfortably.
Goodbye, Fear – Hello, Freedom!
Let’s wrap it up: Tampons are not the enemy. Tampon health risks are overblown due to period urban legends that are rooted in misinformation. When used responsibly, a menstrual tampon is a safe, effective way to manage your flow. It won’t poison you with chemicals or ruin your health.
If you prefer pads or menstrual cups, that’s totally cool too. But don’t let myths stop you from trying tampons if you want to. So the next time you hear someone whisper about the dangers of “menstrual tampons” or some crazy tampon myth, you’ll be armed with facts (and a bit of sass) to set the record straight. Happy period-ing – you’ve got this!
