Tampon Safety: What You Need to Know

Tampon safety can help prevent serious complications associated with the menstrual products, such as toxic shock syndrome.

Using tampons safely is imperative to overall health, as misuse of these products can lead to serious health problems. However, some tampons may be the subjects of recalls due to defects — meaning consumers may suffer from issues despite practicing tampon safety.

Tampon Safety: Overview

Tampons are single-use menstrual products that are inserted into the vagina to absorb menstrual flow. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends several safety tips for tampon usage, including the following:

• Follow label directions and use tampons as instructed;
• Wash hands before and after using a tampon to reduce the spread of bacteria;
• Only use tampons when menstruating;
• Change tampons every four to eight hours and never wear a single tampon for over eight hours;
• Use the lowest absorbency of tampon needed;
• Know the signs of toxic shock syndrome (fever, vomiting, diarrhea, fainting, dizziness and rashes); and
• Contact a doctor about any pain, fever or unusual symptoms, including those of an allergic reaction.

Even when tampons are used safely, many consumers may be worried about the safety of tampon materials. These one-use items may be made of cotton, rayon or a blend of the two — but customers still worry that dangerous chemicals can be found in the products.

According to the FDA, the absorbent fibers found in tampons are put through a bleaching process free of certain concerning chemicals.

For example, the bleaching process does not involve elemental chlorine, which in turn prevents dangerous levels of dioxin, an environmental pollutant, from being found in the tampons.

One of the biggest safety concerns with tampons is the potential for toxic shock syndrome (TSS). This is a rare condition that happens when toxic bacteria causes organ damage, organ failure, shock and even death. Tampons are thought to harbor these bacteria in some cases and, if left in for too long, contribute to TSS.

The FDA notes tampon-related TSS cases have declined “significantly” over the years. This may be in part due to the FDA’s evaluation of tampon safety.

The agency reportedly evaluates tampons before they can be marketed to make sure they do not enhance the growth of TSS-causing bacteria. Education on TSS and tampon safety may have also contributed to the lower number of cases.

The FDA reportedly reviews tampon safety before manufacturers are allowed legally market products as tampons.

Proposed tampon products must be as safe and effective as legally marketed tampons already on the market. In order to pass legal muster, the FDA requires manufacturers to submit data proving the safety of the tampon materials and applicators; the absorbency, strength and integrity of the products; and whether the tampons enhance the growth of TSS-causing bacteria.

Although the FDA works hard to ensure the safety of tampon products on the market, some of these items have still been recalled due to safety concerns.

Tampon Recalls

In some cases, safety issues with tampons result in recalls from the manufacturers.

In 2018, several lots of U by Kotex tampons were recalled by the manufacturer due to safety concerns. According to NPR, the recall included more than 200 lots of U by Kotex Sleek Tampons sold in the U.S. and Canada between Oct. 7, 2016, and Oct. 16, 2018.

Kimberly-Clark announced the Kotex tampon recall in December 2018, saying a “quality-related defect” was responsible for the issue. Further information revealed that the tampons may come unraveled while in the body — sometimes requiring medical treatment to remove fully. This defect reportedly led to some cases of vaginal irritation, infection, abdominal pain and other injuries.

Following this recall, consumers took legal action against Kimberly-Clark over the tampon safety hazards posed by their products.

According to the U by Kotex class action lawsuit, plaintiffs and other consumers would not have purchased the products or would have paid less for them if they knew that the tampons were “unfit to perform their intended purpose and were dangerous.”

Eventually, this tampon safety class action lawsuit was resolved in a $7 million settlement benefiting consumers who purchased U by Kotex tampons between March 8, 2013, and Nov. 19, 2019.

In addition to a wider time frame than the 2018 recall, the settlement covered far more products such as U by Kotex Sleek Tampons, U by Kotex Fitness Tampons, U by Kotex Click Tampons and U by Kotex Security Tampons in Regular, Super or Super-Plus Absorbency.

Under the settlement, Class Members could recover up to $30 without proof of purchase if they filed a valid claim form by Aug. 18, 2020.

Do you worry about tampon safety when using the menstrual products? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

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