Everyone deserves to live in a healthy and safe environment. That environment includes where you live, work, play, and pray. We reject and actively push back against racist rhetoric, actions, policies and institutional oppression that leads to state-sanctioned brutality, gun violence, and harm that again and again assaults communities, particularly communities of color. 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.

Menstrual Care Products & Toxic Chemicals

#DetoxTheBox

Detox the Box

The Issue: Research shows that many of today’s menstrual and intimate care products contain a host of chemicals linked to cancer, disrupt hormones, and unnecessary allergic reactions. Tampons are used by up to 70 percent of menstruating people in the U.S. Other products such as douches, sprays, washes, and wipes, are used by 20-50% of women, with use rates considerably higher among Black, Latina and low-income women. The FDA does not require companies to test for all harmful chemicals, nor do they require companies to disclose the presence of all chemicals used in these products.

Given the widespread use of these products, the unique route of exposure, and the lack of regulatory oversight, WVE is working to eliminate toxic chemicals from the $3 billion U.S. period and intimate care products market.

Bottom line: Toxic chemicals don’t belong in menstrual care products. Period.

The Problem

Menstrual products. Period Care. Personal cleansing products. Intimate care. No matter what you call them, these consumer products uniquely impact people who menstruate and are often aggressively marketed as must have to ensure our bodies “feel fresh,” “be clean,” “increase confidence,” and even enhance our sex appeal. Our Chem Fatale report finds toxic chemicals commonly used in period care products. The real kicker? Many of these chemicals are not required to be listed on the label, so people have no idea what they are being exposed to. We deserve better.

Here’s why this is a serious problem:

  • WVE’s test results show harmful chemicals in Always pads, various brands of tampons, and our research found toxic nanosilver in period underwear and menstrual pads.
  • Othering testing results show dioxins, furans and pesticide residues in tampons, which have been linked to cancer, reproductive harm, and hormone disruption.
  • Studies link menstrual pad use to vulvar allergic rash in some women. Both adhesive chemicals like methyldibromo glutaronitrile and fragrances used in pads have been identified as causes of these allergic rashes.
  • Fragrance is commonly used in pads and tampons, and many fragrance ingredients are kept secret.
  • The harmful chemicals in these products come into contact with some of the most absorptive skin on our bodies.

Avoiding Harmful Ingredients:

  • Bookmark our Chemicals of Concern fact sheet so you can reference it when shopping for period and personal care products.
  • Reduce your use of intimate care products, especially those that are medically unnecessary for a healthy vulva and vagina.
  • Choose unscented products where available, especially in tampons and pads.
  • Choose chlorine-free bleach or unbleached tampons and pads.
  • If you are having allergic symptoms, switch brands, and then tell the company why you did by calling the 800 number on the label.
  • Report any symptoms possibly resulting from these products to the FDA by calling 1-800-332-1088 or filling out a consumer report form.

Resources

It's our right to know what in pads and tampons

Testing Finds Phthalates in Tampons and Pads

Researchers estimated that tampon use could be responsible for 15% of our total phthalate exposure. Panty liner use could be contributing nearly 10% and pads roughly 3% of our overall phthalate exposure. Learn more.

Concerns about nanosilver in period underwear, pads

Concerns About Nanosilver in Period Underwear and Pads

Nanosilver is commonly incorporated into athletic clothing to make it “antibacterial” in an effort to reduce odor. In recent years, it has also been unnecessarily incorporated into certain period products, but unfortunately, there are concerns about the effects it has on vaginal and vulvar tissue. Learn more.

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Menstrual Equity Policies Passed in the U.S.

Legislation that have passed and/or have been enacted in the United States to address the safety, affordability, or accessibility of menstrual care products as of April 1, 2022. Is your state making period health a priority? Find out. Click here.

vaginal lubricant

Slippery Slope: Potential Hazards of Lubricants on Vaginal Tissue

Over 65% of women in the United States report using some form of vaginal lubricant in the previous month. While they can be very effective at reducing discomfort at the time they are used, researchers are becoming increasingly concerned about the potential longer term health effects of exposure to these products. Read more.

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Feminine Care products

What’s in Period Products? A Timeline of Chemical Testing

While a few studies have attempted to assess and measure potential risks of these products, all have indicated that there is more work to be done to better understand the impacts these products may have on our health. Learn more.

Rally in Denver CO to support period health

What Does Menstrual Equity Mean to You?

Menstrual equity is often defined as it relates to the affordability, accessibility & safety of period products. But menstrual equity is not defined by products — in fact, the definition is growing and changing, as voices from all over the world drive the conversation about period health. Learn more.

 

Our Stories, Our Flow (OSOF) Workshops

Created by Shantrice King, WVE’s OSOF workshops are designed as an intentional, social, and supportive space for women, femmes, and people who have experience and/ or relationship with menstruation to hold real conversations their periods, health, and bodies. Sign up for an OSOF workshop today!

WEBINAR: What New Disclosure Requirements Reveal About Period Care Products

Co-hosted by: Women’s Voices for the Earth (WVE), Clean & Healthy New York, WE ACT for Environmental Justice and Sierra Club (Atlantic Chapter)

Following new disclosure requirements out of New York, we’re learning more about what’s in menstrual products than ever before! This webinar provides details of our new report, What’s in Your Period Product, and our investigation into the safety and ingredient transparency of period care products. Learn more!

Additional Resources

Menstrual Care and Personal Care Products
Quats and Other Chemicals of Concern in Antibacterial Sex Toy Cleaners
Period Care – Hall of Shame Products
Vaginal Douching Linked to Higher Levels of Phthalates – Study
Osmolality and pH Properties of Some Commercial Lubricants

ACTIONS
Take Action on Johnson and Johnson’s Toxic Talc! >>
Tell Makers of Playtex and Stayfree to Detox the Box >>

Policy
Menstrual Equity Bills Passed in the U.S.
Safer Beauty Bill Package
Robin Danielson Menstrual Product and Intimate Care Product Safety Act (HR 8724)
Menstrual Equity for All Act 
Tampon Tax Litigation Actions

EXPLORE MORE ISSUES >>

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