Tampon Danger!

Seriously, Kotex tampons in NM (and several other states) are being recalled due to a bacterial infection in the products.  Parent company Kimberly-Clark states:

The tampons were manufactured with a raw material contaminated with a bacterium, Enterobacter sakazakii, which may cause health risks, including vaginal infections, urinary tract infections (UTIs), pelvic inflammatory disease or infections that can be life-threatening.  Women with serious existing illnesses, cancer or immune-compromised conditions, such as HIV, are at increased risk.  

This is not a joke.  Check any Kotex tampons you own and see the list of recalled boxes online.  Please share this recall with all the women you know.

In "honor" of this recall, we put the amazing Diva Cup on sale until November 25th!  Read more about the Diva Cup below...

Tampons aren't safe, even when there's no recall


Writer Alicia Preston interviewed Dr. Philip M. Tierno, Jr.: Director of Clinical Microbiology and Diagnostic Immunology at Tisch Hospital, New York University Medical Center. He is an expert on the dangers of tampons. He has appeared on shows such as 20/20 and Oprah.


He explains the risks of pollution, dioxin and other unexamined chemicals most likely in tampons today.  It is typically safer for women to use tampons that are 100% organic cotton to avoid most toxins.  What really irks me about the recent Kotex tampon recall is that these were specifically marketed as their "natural" line.  So much for trying to buy safer products.  Dr. Tierno pointed out even if most toxins are no longer used in manufacturing, there has been no independent study of the safety of tampons... ever.


The FDA explains that toxins may be in low amounts in current manufacturing, but a woman's long term exposure over 20 or 30 years of tampon use has never been studied.


What if there were no risk of carcinogens or Toxic Shock Syndrome?!

One way to avoid the risks associated with tampons all together is to make the switch to reusable pads or a menstrual cup.  While the comfort with reusable options will vary for every woman,  you might find you get over washing a pad or Diva Cup if you don't have to worry about toxins and TSS.


There is a learning curve to inserting and removing menstrual cups, but many women are excited to transition to the Diva Cup.  Many women find that after switching to a menstrual cup their cramps are reduced, length of period is reduced and they sure save lots of money when they don't have to buy disposable goods every month.  It's also greener and creating less waste!


Read more about menstrual cups and reusable pads at GladRags.com
Learn more in our Diva Cup web tutorial.