Menstrual Products (Tampons, Pads, Cups) — safety profile
Moderate riskMenstrual products including cotton/rayon tampons, disposable pads, and silicone menstrual cups.
What is this product?
Menstrual products including cotton/rayon tampons, disposable pads, and silicone menstrual cups. Tampons: chlorine bleaching historically produced dioxins; current elemental chlorine-free (ECF) process reduces but does not eliminate. Pesticide residues (glyphosate) detected in cotton tampons. PFAS found in period underwear and some pads. Vaginal mucosa is highly absorptive — chemicals bypass first-pass hepatic metabolism.
What's in it
Click any compound name for its full safety profile, regulatory consensus, and exposure data.
Cotton Pesticide Residue
Pad Treatment
Bleaching Byproduct
Who's most at risk
- Children — Developing endocrine and neurological systems, higher exposure per body weight
Red flags — when to walk away
- Product causes skin irritation, redness, or rash — Contact dermatitis or chemical sensitivity.
Green flags — what to look for
- EWG Verified or dermatologist-tested label — Meets strict ingredient safety criteria.
Safer alternatives
- 100% organic cotton tampons — Natracare, Cora, L.
- Medical-grade silicone menstrual cup — DivaCup, Lena
- Organic cotton reusable pads — Safer option
Frequently asked questions
Who should be careful with Menstrual Products (Tampons, Pads, Cups)?
Vulnerable populations identified for this product type: children.
Are there safer alternatives to Menstrual Products (Tampons, Pads, Cups)?
Yes — consider: 100% organic cotton tampons; Medical-grade silicone menstrual cup; Organic cotton reusable pads. See the Safer alternatives section above for details.
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Open in body View raw API dataReference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific information. Why we built ALETHEIA →