Will the materials in feminine care products irritate or sensitize my skin?
All feminine care products are uniquely designed for use against the skin. All materials undergo rigorous evaluation to ensure that they are safe and unlikely to produce a reaction.
Are scented tampons, pads and liners safe? Will they make me itch down there?
If a woman is not already sensitive to perfume and fragrances, it is highly unlikely that she will be sensitive to the fragrances used in feminine hygiene products. There is no known increased risk for reactions among women using scented pads, liners or tampons. However, it is recommended that women who prefer fragrance-free products or who may already have allergies or sensitivities to fragrances use unscented menstrual products.
Are fragrances tested to make sure they are safe?
Scented pads, liners and tampons, and the fragrances they use, have been thoroughly assessed to assure that they are non-irritating and have low sensitization potential. Years of in-market use found no increased risk of allergic reactions for women using scented pads. liners or tampons. For those who prefer, unscented pads, liners and tampons are also available. All fragrances used in feminine products comply with the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) safety standards for usage limits. Read more about compliance with IFRA standards and other regulations.
Is there super absorbent polymer (SAP) in my tampons?
No. Super absorbent polymer (SAP) is not used in tampons. The absorbent materials in tampons are cotton and/or rayon, components with a track record of safe use in tampons.
Are phthalates, heavy metals, or formaldehyde residues added to pads, liners or tampons?
No. All materials added to pads, liners and tampons are rigorously evaluated. Sometimes, extremely small amounts of trace residues—can be present as a result of the manufacturing process, or because they are present as contaminants from the environment. It is often only possible to find trace residues using extreme and invasive techniques; under real-life conditions, they are not found. Everything inside your pads, liners and tampons must be shown to be safe prior to marketing.
What are “trace levels”? Are they safe?
The presence of a substance at trace levels means that a inconsequential amount of a substance could be found, often using extreme and invasive measurement techniques. These techniques are not relevant to conditions in which women use products nor appropriate for assessing safety. Trace levels of a substance may be present because the substances are ubiquitous pollutants in soil, air and the environment, or because of the manufacturing process of some raw substances.
Are the raw materials used in my pads, liners and tampons purified?
Yes. Rigorous purification and cleaning are key priorities of feminine care product manufacturers, and are key steps of the process. These cleaning steps are sufficient for removing residues within these raw materials as a result of farming or harvesting practices. Current practices for purification (sometimes called bleaching) utilize processes known as Elemental Chlorine Free or Totally Chlorine Free purification. The purification process removes the fibrous material in wood pulp and the natural oily substances in cotton fibers. Ultimately, this helps create a more effective fiber for use in product.
Are there dioxins in my pads, liners and tampons?
The FDA considers the Elemental Chlorine Free or Totally Chlorine Free purification methods used for pads, liners and tampons to be dioxin-free. Although it is sometimes possible to detect trace amounts using highly technical, state-of-the-art analytical methods, the FDA concluded that any dioxin exposure due to tampons would be considered negligible. In fact, this small amount is many times less than the level normally present in the body from other environmental sources.
Is non-organic cotton safe for use in my tampons? Is the cotton in my tampons free of pesticide residue?
Yes, it is safe to use tampons that are not made with 100% organic cotton. All cotton used in tampons, pads and liners is cleaned via a scrubbing process, which removes pesticides used in farming. Read more about cotton and rayon.
How should I dispose of feminine care products?
After you remove a feminine care product, wrap it in toilet paper and place it in a sanitary disposal container or waste bin. Tampons, pads and liners should not be flushed down the toilet.