There is a universal truth among most people who have ovaries. At some time in our lives, we will use some form of “feminine hygiene” products. There are plenty of euphemisms for the menstrual cycle and all related issues (“Aunt Flo,” anyone?), but none of them changes the fact that it can be an annoying, painful, and sometimes embarrassing time of each month.
Fortunately, today's women have more options than ever to manage their hygiene when they need to. We’re not using our grandmothers’ sanitary belts with cloth napkins anymore. There are lots of new products on the market, like menstrual cups and “period underwear,” which are intended for discreet and easy menstrual management. But plenty of people are still using tampons… rather, they were until new studies began to suggest that there might be some harmful toxins lurking.
Now, we’re seeing lawsuits crop up against manufacturers of tampons and period underwear for chemicals that could be affecting human health.
Are tampons dangerous to your health?
A 2024 study by a researcher at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health reported that tampons can contain lead, arsenic, cadmium, and other chemicals. The researcher evaluated 14 manufacturers and investigated 16 metals in 30 different types of tampons. Results varied based on whether the items were organic or not, the country of sale, and whether they were name-brand or generic.
The study raised alarm—enough for the FDA to perform its own review—because of the potential health effects of these types of substances in the body. According to UC Berkeley Public Health, “Exposure to metals has been found to increase the risk of dementia, infertility, diabetes and cancer. Metals can damage the liver, kidneys, and brain, as well as the cardiovascular, nervous, and endocrine systems. Metals can also harm fetal development and maternal health.”
Some women use more than 7,400 tampons in their lifetime, and the skin in the vagina has a higher potential for chemical absorption than other areas.
The concern is whether metals are leaching into the body from tampons.
What lawsuits are there against tampon manufacturers?
Tampon lawsuit against Tampax/Procter & Gamble
In July 2024, Plaintiff Allison Barton initiated a class action lawsuit against parent company Procter & Gamble for Tampax Pearl tampons, claiming they contain unsafe lead levels. The complaint alleges that lead poses a health risk because tampon insertion allows lead to enter the bloodstream and it is not metabolized by the liver. She claims Procter & Gamble was aware of the risk and did not disclose the danger to consumers. In a separate lawsuit, a claim was made against Kimberly-Clark, the manufacturer of Kotex tampons.
The lawsuit claims false advertising by tampon brands. Tampons are advertised as a safe way to absorb menstrual flow. However, plaintiffs claim this is false because of the heavy metals in the tampons that could endanger a user’s health. There is no safe exposure level for lead absorption.
These lawsuits were dismissed by a California federal judge in February 2024 without prejudice. The plaintiff may amend her complaint and file again if she wishes to pursue the claims.
What are the health risks associated with heavy metals in tampons?
When the body absorbs heavy metals, they are linked to risks of dementia, cancer, infertility, and other illnesses.
However, heavy metals are not the only risk associated with these products. Other studies find that some tampons contain “forever chemicals” like per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), phthalates, and volatile organic compounds (VOC).
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates and oversees food and drug safety. Although tampons are classified as medical devices, the FDA does not require contaminant testing or premarket review. While the agency recommends tampons not include pesticides or dioxin, it does not require manufacturers to disclose the contents in tampons.
New York and California require companies to disclose the contents of menstrual products. Other states might follow, but legislation is still pending.
One expert says it’s not about whether or not there are chemicals in tampons, but when those chemicals become an amount that is dangerous to a user’s health.
L. Organic lawsuits
Several consumers have sued tampon manufacturer L. Organic, claiming its marketing was misleading and use of the product caused reproductive harm.
The company says its tampons are “100% organic.” However, the lawsuits claim the tampons include titanium dioxide, which is an inorganic compound that’s linked to cancer. The plaintiffs claimed L. Organic tampons caused ovarian cysts, heavy bleeding, and reproductive issues.
The lawsuits have also alleged that L. Organic tampons’ ingredients include paraffin and glycerin, even though the box says the product is free from dyes and chlorine bleaching.
Note: Although separate lawsuits, L. Organic is owned by Procter & Gamble.
Thinx period underwear lawsuit
Thinx, maker of period underwear, settled a lawsuit in 2023 for up to $5 million for toxic chemicals in its product. The lawsuit claimed that while the underwear was marketed as safe and chemical-free, it contained forever chemicals including PFAS, along with Agion anti-microbial treatment.
Each member of the class action could choose between a cash reimbursement for up to three pairs of underwear or receive a voucher for 35% off a purchase up to $150. Thinx also agreed to avoid PFAS in its products in the future.
It’s important to note that the lawsuit does not suggest that Thinx underwear caused illness to the plaintiffs; rather, it’s because if they’d known of the presence of PFAS, they might have made different purchasing decisions.
Are you in danger from period products?
Probably not.
One welcome relief from these lawsuits is the increased awareness of tampons and period underwear as having… ingredients. Many of us have been using these types of products for decades and never really thought about what’s in them—we’d choose based on brand name recognition, what worked well and was comfortable, and our individual preferences. Experts are quick to point out that nearly everyone has evidence of PFAS in their bloodstream. This is not a good thing, but it’s an inevitability—it’s in food packaging, sometimes leached into the food itself, other plastics, water-resistant clothes and other materials, and our environment.
However, we don’t have enough research right now to determine whether the levels of chemicals in tampons cause actual harm. One day, this might become clear.