Scientists have discovered that tampons and menstrual pads contain toxic heavy metals and other potentially harmful chemicals, raising questions about long-term health effects from products used internally for decades. A groundbreaking 2024 study found lead present in all 30 tampons tested, alongside other contaminants including arsenic and endocrine-disrupting chemicals. The findings have sparked regulatory action across multiple states, with Vermont becoming the first to ban toxic chemicals from disposable menstrual products in 2024.

What Chemicals Are Actually in Menstrual Products?

The chemicals detected in menstrual products enter through multiple pathways. Heavy metals like lead and arsenic occur naturally in soil or accumulate through pollution, then get absorbed by cotton plants used to manufacture tampons and pads. Other substances are intentionally added; zinc, for example, is included to prevent bacterial growth. Still others, such as phthalates (synthetic chemicals used in plastics), can leach into products from packaging or be introduced as part of fragrance formulations.

Researchers have identified a concerning range of contaminants in menstrual products:

• Heavy metals: Lead and arsenic detected in tampons at concentrations that remain unclear in terms of health impact
• Dioxins: Chemical byproducts from the bleaching process used to whiten cotton, associated with cancer and hormone disruption
• Phthalates: Plasticizers that can leach from packaging and are linked to reproductive health problems
• Volatile organic compounds: Chemicals that vaporize quickly, often added as part of fragrances or adhesives
• PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances): Highly persistent chemicals that don't break down in the environment or body

The concern is particularly acute because menstrual products are used internally and in direct contact with vaginal tissue. Tampons, which sit inside the vagina surrounded by permeable mucous membranes for up to eight hours at a time, create an extended window for chemical absorption. People who menstruate use these products 24 hours a day for multiple days each month over the course of many years, multiplying potential exposure.

Why Is the FDA's Regulation So Limited?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies tampons, menstrual cups, and scented pads as Class II medical devices, considered moderate risk, while unscented pads are Class I, considered low-risk. However, FDA guidance for these products offers only minimal chemical oversight. The agency recommends, but does not require, that menstrual products avoid two specific dioxin products and pesticide or herbicide residues. This recommendation-based approach leaves significant gaps in consumer protection.

The most stringent FDA regulations on tampons came in response to toxic shock syndrome in the 1970s and 1980s, when a highly absorbent tampon called Rely was linked to serious illness and death. That crisis led to standardized absorbency levels, but chemical safety standards have not evolved significantly since then. The FDA has not updated its chemical guidance for menstrual products in decades, despite growing scientific evidence of contamination.

How to Reduce Your Exposure to Chemicals in Menstrual Products

• Choose unscented products: Scented menstrual pads and tampons are more heavily regulated as Class II devices and may contain additional fragrance chemicals, including phthalates. Unscented options face less stringent oversight but avoid fragrance-related contaminants
• Look for non-chlorine bleaching: Products bleached with non-chlorine methods reduce dioxin formation, a known carcinogen and hormone disruptor. Check product labels or manufacturer websites for bleaching information
• Research manufacturer transparency: Some companies publish third-party testing results or chemical disclosures. Contact manufacturers directly to ask about heavy metal testing, PFAS content, and bleaching methods used
• Stay informed about state regulations: California bans PFAS from menstrual products, and New York adopted a law in December 2025 barring multiple toxic chemicals. Check your state's regulations, as standards continue to evolve

What Does the Research Actually Show About Health Effects?

While scientists have confirmed the presence of toxic substances in menstrual products, the next critical question remains unanswered: can these chemicals actually be absorbed into the body in concentrations high enough to cause harm? The chemicals detected so far have been at levels where health impact is unclear. However, one 2025 study estimated that volatile organic compounds, a group of chemicals that vaporize quickly, can be absorbed through the vaginal mucosa, suggesting that at least some contaminants may enter the bloodstream.

The challenge in understanding health effects stems from what toxicologists call living in a "soup of chemicals." Humans are exposed to many different chemicals simultaneously at varying concentrations, making it difficult to isolate the impact of a single exposure source. However, evidence from related products shows that chemical exposure from menstrual products can matter. A 2015 study found that women who use vaginal douches have higher concentrations of monoethyl phthalate in their urine, a substance associated with reduced fertility and increased pregnancy risk.

Researchers are now investigating whether chemicals in menstrual products correlate with menstrual pain and bleeding severity. Scientists are examining whether certain chemicals appear at elevated levels in menstrual blood, whether these levels are higher in people who use tampons compared to other products, and whether chemical exposure is associated with greater menstrual pain and bleeding.

Why Are States Taking Action Faster Than the FDA?

Frustrated by limited federal oversight, several states have begun implementing their own chemical bans. Vermont became the first state to ban multiple chemicals from disposable menstrual products in 2024. California has banned PFAS, a widely used group of highly persistent chemicals that don't break down in the environment or body, from menstrual products. New York adopted a law in December 2025 barring multiple toxic chemicals from menstrual products. California also enacted a law in October 2025 requiring manufacturers of disposable menstrual products to disclose chemical contents on packaging, giving consumers more information to make informed choices.

These state-level actions reflect growing recognition that federal regulation has not kept pace with scientific evidence. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists already recommends avoiding vaginal douching due to documented health risks, yet menstrual products themselves have received far less regulatory scrutiny despite similar concerns about chemical exposure in sensitive tissues.

As research continues to clarify which chemicals can be absorbed and at what concentrations they pose health risks, the regulatory landscape is shifting. The gap between what scientists are discovering and what federal agencies require manufacturers to disclose is narrowing, driven by state legislation and consumer demand for transparency in products used so intimately and so frequently throughout reproductive years.