Part 1, Tampax Tampons: Toxic Sticks of Death
Part 2, Tampax Tampons: Toxic Sticks of Death
By now you are well versed in the dangers of the conventional bleached out super absorbent ‘pon. I make it a rule to offer as much info as I can. So I thought I’d wrap up this series with info on what all this can mean in your world- both the world that involves the cantuna (how do you like that one?) as well as the world we like to call Earth.
Yesterday I ended off with some info on dioxin, but have you any idea what it does when it makes its permanent residence the cells of our smoken’ hot bods?
Dioxin accumulates in humans, particularly women’s body fat and breast milk. The main means of elimination is therefore through the breast milk or the placenta (horrifying, I know!) and then begins to accumulate in the fetus. This persistent toxin is not only spreading through populations but through generations.
The accumulation of dioxin in the body is being linked to dozens of illnesses and diseases and can be grouped into three types: those involving enzymes, growth factors, and hormones.
The most recent EPA report, confirms dioxin as a “known human carcinogen” and this known cancer-causing chemical comes into direct contact with internal organs and very susceptible areas that lead to immunotoxic, teratogenic, and carcinogenic responses. In short… these chemicals make us sick! But you knew that.
Tampons are placed up against moist fatty tissue for extended periods of time, creating an ideal environment for chemical absorption in a concentrated area. Dioxin acts as an endocrine disrupter, the endocrine system being a network of feedback mechanisms that work to maintain hormonal balance. One of the diseases most directly linked to the endocrine-disrupting effect of dioxin released from tampons is endometriosis, a disease where endometrial cells from the lining of the uterus inappropriately grow outside of the uterus- on the ovaries, on the outside of the uterus or fallopian tubes, or elsewhere in the abdominal cavity. Sexy yes? Dioxin induces an increase in estrogen levels which both causes the lining of the uterus to continue to grow and high estrogen is linked both to The Crazies as well as reproductive cancers.
In addition to cancer and endometriosis the enzyme, hormonal and growth disruption caused by dioxin exposure has been linked to birth defects, the inability to maintain pregnancy, decreased fertility, reduced sperm count, diabetes, learning disabilities, immune system suppression, lung problems, skin disorders, and lowered testosterone levels.
And there is the risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS). It can begin with flue like symptoms including nausea, dizziness, high fever, vomiting and can progress to liver and kidney failure, complete body shock and death. Rayon creates a pretty ideal environment for the growth of the Staphylococcus aureas bacteria, which is associated with TSS. This feature is attributed to the higher absorption level of the tampon that, as a result, leaves behind concentrated amounts of the proteins that these harmful bacteria need to produce their poisons. Now isn’t that a viscous cycle we could all write home about.
In addition to increasing the risk of TSS, artificial rayon fibers are abrasive to the sensitive vaginal wall. Tampons are inserted deep into the vag causing the tampon to push against the cervical area causing tiny cuts and embedding pieces into the tissue of both the cervix and vaginal wall. In addition to the cuts made by the tampon itself, removing the tampon not only leaves fibers behind but also causes further ulcerations. The chemicals in the tampon are literally eating away at the vaginal tissue.
And to add a cherry to the top of this Sunday, this also affect our sweet sex lives. These ulcerations increase a woman’s risk of contracting an STD by creating little portals into the blood stream. To make matters worse, genetically modified cotton used in the United States for commercial cotton production resists the effects of antibiotics. Therefore, women who use commercial tampons with GMO cotton may not respond as readily to antibiotics prescribed to treat the STD.
What a web we weave!
And if I haven’r convinced you yet to save your internal environment, howzabout the external? According to waste consultant Franklin Associates, 6.5 billion tampons and 13.5 billion sanitary pads, plus their packaging, ended up in landfills or sewer systems in 1998. And according to the Center for Marine Conservation, over 170,000 tampon applicators were collected along U.S. coastal areas between 1998 and 1999.
Alright ladies, now that we know better, we can do better.
And here ends the series. Tomorrow we pick back up in the kitchen with corny bread. If you are still wanting more info on this, you can download my entire research paper with references, at no charge, here.
Diva Cup Giveaway Contest!
Enter to win The Diva Cup!!! Details on the cup and how to enter are posted here!
1. Post a comment here = 1 entry
2. Post this contest on your blog = 2 entries
3. Follow Diva Cup on twitter = 1 entry
4. Follow me on twitter = 1 entry
4. Post this contest on your Twitter = 1 entry
5. Join the Diva Cup Facebook group = 1 entry
6. Join Making Love In The Kitchen with Meghan group of Facebook = 1 entry
7. Post the contest on your Facebook Status = 1 entry
That is 8 possible times you can be entered to win this life changing little health building feminine hygiene miracle product.
This series has been both scary and eye-opening. I’ve relied on tampons since I was a teenager as I took and taught swimming lessons. I’m sure if my mom had known better, she would never have handed me my first box of tampax!
Wow! Thank you Meghan for all this information. I never really thought about the dangers of the ‘pon before and will definitely be going out to purchase a diva cup.
I definitely be sending this to all of the women in my life…the word needs to get out!!!
Great info! I can attest to what Megan is saying because it happened to me. I have been diagnosed with endometriosis (stage 4). Like many with similar stories, my journey has been one of frustration and pain until I found a specialist who understood my problem. While my docotor was doing all he could for me, I was still going to be facing rounds of surgery and $500.00 shots. I did not want to spend my life in that cycle. I started researching what caused my endometriosis. I threw out my tampons, went to vegan diet, and started eating as organic as I can. I still take the birth control pill doctor prescribed but between both of our efforts we have managed to keep it at bay for 3 years now. My doctor has never seen a case as bad as mine not have a recurrance for this long.
not to be a downer on the diva cup because i think it is wonderful for *most* women. but, if you have a tipped uterus it will not create the suction you need and it will float up into your personal area. i tried it for two months and the last time i almost had to go to a dr to have it removed. it was stuck in me for 3 days and i couldn’t get it–luckily after a super stretchy yoga class and the squatting as wide as i could in a hot shower was i finally able to get it. sadness! i have severe endometriosis, like melissa above, except i am not doing the hormonal therapy and i just take my daily labor-like pain in strides. but i have been advised not to use it again because of that. err! i just would hate for anyone to go through that worry, embarrassment, distress of having it stuck in you for too long.
Wow Meghan! What a thorough, well-presented argument!
It makes me so happy that I’ve been a Diva user for about 3 years now…it makes my inner parts cringe just reading about this stuff!
Tampons are mean!
Thanks for spreading the word…I think I’m going to talk to some more of my ladies this weekend…
Think a Diva as a birthday gift is too obnoxious?
Thanks so much for this post. It’s good to know someone is out there spreading this message!!
Amazing!!! Thanks so much for sharing that.
I think it’s a perfect gift. Maybe not to receive from a boyfriend/lover/partner but otherwise- for sure!
How do you know what size to get? I guess I’d like more information on exactly how it works and how easy or hard it is to get positioned properly and then remove : ) (and clean, of course)
Hmmm… I have a retrograde/ tipped uterus. wonder if that will cause problems for me based on what Deborah says.
Melissa, what an amazing story! I have a friend who also used diet to control her endometriosis. I am going to ask her about tampons too!
Lots of DivaCup info here:
http://www.lunapads.com/productfaq/divacup.htm
There’s also a Menstrual Cup Livejournal group that covers about any question you could possibly have about the cup:
http://community.livejournal.com/menstrual_cups
Once again Meghan you’ve got me to make another big switch in my life. I started using the Diva cup over 5 years ago because i wanted to reduce my waste, but i still used tampinos on days i was sterilizing my Diva cup. Now that i see how toxic tampons are i’m making a full switch! I’d love to win a new one b/c i’m seeing (5+ years comemon changing of silicone happens!!) the need for a new one.
I use natural tampons of course…but I am scared to use the DIVE – I think it is great and this is a great post – but I don’t know something about it scares me (I think I am afraid it will get stuck)
I meant DIVA!!
Meghan,
Thanks so much for spreading the word about the dangers associated with Tampons. It’s amazing how little it’s talked about. As a long time Diva Cup user, and now the owner of a woman’s health store, I am a huge advocate of providing as many menstrual options as possible and helping women make informed choices.
Well…I’m now ridiculously terrified of tampons. And I finally know why they sell organic ones in the co-op. Why must modern life be so awful?
Isn’t that a loaded question!
How long is the contest going?
Megan, have you presented your paper and findings to any of the medical bodies or women’s health associations? I know that sanitary products are not considered medical, but based on the evidence you are providing, how the hell can these products continue to be sold? Why aren’t they being monitored?
I told some friends about your tampons blog and the DivaCup and although they were scared, not scared enough. People have also told me I am going too far with my new diet and now wanting to use the Diva. People are complacent and always think “it won’t happen to me”. I think a lot of noise needs to be made about this and something really needs to be done. I can’t tell you how angry I am that they continue to sell these products!
OMG… Thank you for this, Meghan!!! I thought I was pretty smart, but I had no clue as to the extent of damage these “woohoo” sticks can actually cause. Seriously, what was I thinking!?!?
(As a regular user of tampons over the past 17(ish) years, I’m now wondering if it was a contributing factor in my ovarian tumor situ!?)
I haven’t tried the Diva Cup yet, but will be doing so in 19 days!!! I’ve posted the link on Twitter, FB … & blog (TK in 10 min).
Cara
P.S. I also thoroughly enjoyed the stroll down memory lane with Rudy… so funny
I also have a tipped uterus like Deborah & Michelle, but mine’s “retroverted” (tipped backwards, not forward)…
I’m wondering if anyone else with this same problem has had success with the DivaCup? I don’t want to get into a sticky situation by getting it “stuck”, but I also don’t want to rule it out if others have had success.
Any advice from other ladies with the same situ would be GREATLY appreciated.
Thank-you!
Cara
I’ll announce a winner next week. I’m not so good with rules.
All we can ever do is lead by example. If I got mad about all the nonsense things that are being sold, I would be.. well mad. Basic things like cigarettes are legal in Canada but many medicinal herbs like kava kava are not. Everyone needs to make the changes that feel right to them. Nothing we can do except share information and let people make their own decisions.
Interesting! Thanks for the info. Sell this information!
(P.S. I might be a pain in the ass for messaging you on Facebook first and then saying this here, but check your inbox for email that I sent you a few minutes ago. I’m trying to get the word out about you and happen to be in the presence of over 100 people from around the world who subscribe to your ideology.)
It sometimes is difficult to remove. I have a story about a messy removal in a public washroom. If you want the story message me on Facebook.