The 5 Best Organic Tampon Brands, Because Your Vagina Deserves It
A few popular brands as recommended by expert gynos.
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Compared to just a few years ago, seeing organic products is basically the norm now, and not in just food. From things like natural deodorants and toothpastes to organic sheets and pillows, people have become more and more conscious about what they're putting on and in their bodies. Organic tampons are no different. But I know, you might have some questions around this, like what exactly does it even mean for a tampon to be organic? And are organic tampons better for you than non-organic ones?
Well, the main difference between organic tampons and the non-organic ones comes down to material and chemicals. An organic tampon will use 100 percent cotton and won't have any exposure to chemicals, pesticides, dyes, or fragrances. A non-organic tampon, however, is made from a mix of rayon and chlorine-bleached cotton (two things that are good at absorbing and holding onto blood), and can contain some of the other things previously mentioned, explains Michael Fitch, MD, a family medicine doctor who specializes in women's health. That said, some women might prefer to use organic tampons to limit their exposure to those toxins. But while a lot of diseases are linked to toxic chemical exposure, it's unclear how many toxins can actually be absorbed from tampons.
According to Keck Medicine at USC, there isn't any evidence that proves "organic tampons are safer or healthier than the traditional kind"—it's all basically a matter of preference. For example, using organic tampons may be a good option if you have recurring pelvic pain problems (like endo, dermatitis, or vulvovaginitis) with regular tampons, explains Peace Nwegbo-Banks, MD, a board certified ob-gyn in Dallas, Texas. Regular yeast infections or BV can be another reason to try organic tampons since they can help maintain vaginal pH, says Vonne Jones, MD, a board certified OBGYN in Houston, Texas.
So if you're in looking to try an organic tampon, we’ve got you with our five favorite picks below.
These 100 percent certified organic tampons are non-GMO, and free of pesticides, chlorine, fragrance, and toxins. The applicator is fully recyclable and BPA-free, too. Plus, when you buy Cora you're also helping to do a bit of good: For every Cora purchase, the company gives period products and offers period literacy to those who might be without those. To date, Cora has donated around 24 million products.
These tampons are made with 100% organic cotton and feature a bio-plastic applicator and are free of chlorine, pesticides, and fragrances. They’re also super popular, and have a pretty dang impressive rating.
If you want biodegradable applicators and biodegradable packaging, this is for you. These tampons are 100% certified organic, free of pesticides, dyes, chlorine bleaching, GMOs, and perfume. The applicators are cardboard, BUT, they’re rounded, so it’s not like the vending machine cardboard-toilet-paper tube nightmare you’re probs thinking of.
Seventh Generation might be available in your supermarket or pharmacy, so points there for convenience. These tampons use certified organic cotton, and have no fragrances, deodorants, or chlorine processing. The applicator is made with 95 percent plant-based materials and contains no BPA. Dr. Jones recommends this brand.
These tampons are made without chlorine bleach, latex, parabens, perfumes, dyes, or man-made materials. They are made of 100% organic cotton, and come with a 90% plant-based applicator.
Carina Hsieh, MPH, is the deputy features editor of Women’s Health. She has more than a decade’s worth of experience working in media and has covered everything from beauty, fashion, travel, lifestyle, pets, to health.
She began her career as an intern in the fashion closet at Cosmopolitan where she worked her way up to Senior Sex & Relationships Editor. While covering women’s health there, she discovered her passion for health service journalism and took a break to get her Masters in Public Health. Post-grad school, she worked as a freelance writer and as The Daily Beast’s first Beauty, Health, and Wellness Reporter.
Carina is an alum of the Fashion Institute of Technology and the Yale School of Public Health. She and her French Bulldog, Bao Bao, split their time between Brooklyn and Connecticut. She enjoys reformer Pilates, (slow) running, and smelling the fancy toiletries in boutique fitness class locker rooms.
Christen A. Johnson is the senior lifestyle editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers health and wellness, home, sports, astrology, food, travel and more for print and digital. She also dabbles in culture writing, and wrote Cosmo's first-ever digital cover story. Before joining the magazine, Christen was a lifestyle features reporter at the Chicago Tribune. Several of her health and style stories made the paper's front page. When Christen isn't digging through antique stores, she's likely drooling over home renos on HGTV, sharing her latest therapy revelation, redoing old workouts from her college basketball days, or trying to perfect her homemade buttermilk biscuit recipe. Follow her on Insta for BTS ~ editor life ~ tingz!
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