The hidden dangers in tampons:

What every woman deserves to know

We’ve been taught to treat our periods as something to manage quietly. But what if the very products we’ve been using to “manage” them are silently affecting our health?

Tampons.

At first, they seemed like a quiet little helper: discreet, tidy, and “modern.” We were told they were safe, convenient, and just what we needed to keep going through life uninterrupted. But when I started digging into the ingredients and processes behind what’s actually in a tampon, I had a moment of quiet rage.

Because, like so many things women are sold, it turns out they’re not as harmless as we’ve been led to believe.

What's Really in Your Tampon?

Most conventional tampons are made from a blend of cotton and rayon. But here’s the part they don’t print in bold on the box: both cotton and rayon are typically bleached during processing. And that bleaching process can create a byproduct called dioxin. Dioxin is a highly toxic chemical compound linked to cancer, reproductive harm, immune system disruption, and hormone imbalance.

Even in small amounts, dioxins are considered dangerous. The World Health Organization classifies them as a “persistent environmental pollutant,” and they’ve been banned or restricted in many industries for a reason. Yet here they are, quietly tucked into something we place inside our bodies for hours at a time, month after month, year after year.

But the Levels Are "Low," Right?

That’s what we’re told. But here’s the thing: our bodies aren’t industrial waste plants. The vaginal wall is highly absorbent - more than our mouths, in fact. When we insert tampons containing trace chemicals, we are bypassing many of the body’s natural filters and sending those chemicals straight into our bloodstream.

And over time, that adds up.

We’re not just exposed once - we’re exposed cyclically, for decades. Add to that the increasing hormonal chaos many women are navigating today (menstrual irregularities, early puberty, fibroids, fertility issues, perimenopause symptoms), and it’s no wonder we’re seeing an epidemic of endocrine disruption.

Why Haven’t We Heard More About This?

The answer, sadly, is complex. A mix of corporate influence, lack of regulation, and our culture’s tendency to minimize women's health concerns all play a role. The FDA doesn’t require tampon companies to disclose full ingredient lists, and independent testing is rare. And because we’re conditioned to be silent and stoic about our periods, many of us have never questioned what we’re putting in our bodies each month.

But that’s changing- and you deserve to know the truth.

So What Can We Do?

Here’s where your power lies. You don’t need to wait for the industry to change. You can start with you:

🩸 Switch to organic cotton tampons or pads - Look for 100% organic, unbleached, fragrance-free options. They’re becoming more widely available and don’t contain dioxins or synthetic fibers.

🩸 Consider reusable alternatives - Menstrual cups, period undies, and cloth pads are game-changers for many women. They reduce your toxic load and your environmental impact.

🩸 Support your detox pathways - Homeopathy, cell salts, and gentle liver and lymphatic support can help your body clear lingering chemical exposures over time. (Feel free to reach out if you want support here—this is my jam.)

🩸 Start talking about this - With your daughters, your sisters, your friends. Silence is what keeps these issues hidden. Your voice can change that.

I’m not here to make you feel fear or guilt if you’ve used conventional products your whole life - I used to too! But there’s power in knowing better and doing better, in tuning into what your body has been quietly trying to tell you for years.

This isn’t just about periods. It’s about sovereignty. It’s about learning to care for ourselves in a world that often doesn’t.

You deserve to feel safe in your body. You deserve natural solutions that honour your rhythms. Ones that don’t quietly poison you!

Homeopathy supports the body’s natural rhythms. It works with your system, not against it - encouraging balance and long-term health. This is the kind of care every woman deserves.

With love,
Kirsty xx
wholenbeinghealth.co.nz