The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says menstrual products such as tampons, sanitary pads, menstrual cups, period underwear, and reusable cloth pads are safe when they are used according to the instructions. These products go through safety checks before they are sold in the United States. Tampons are commonly made from cotton, rayon, or a mix of both materials.
Recently, reports about small amounts of metals found in some tampons have raised questions among consumers. The FDA says it is reviewing available research and continues to monitor product safety. At this time, the agency has not found clear evidence that the reported levels of metals pose a health risk during normal tampon use, but it supports additional studies to better understand the findings.
Tips for Safe Menstrual Product Use
The FDA advises users to follow simple safety steps to reduce the risk of health problems. Tampons should be changed every four to eight hours, and people should choose the lowest absorbency needed for their menstrual flow. Leaving a tampon in for too long may increase the risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), a rare but serious illness. Menstrual cups should be cleaned as directed by the manufacturer, while reusable cloth pads and period underwear should be washed properly after each use.
Anyone who develops symptoms such as a high fever, rash, dizziness, vomiting, or sudden weakness while using a menstrual product should remove it immediately and seek medical care. Health experts also recommend reading product labels, following usage instructions, and purchasing menstrual products from trusted manufacturers. The FDA continues to monitor product safety and encourages consumers to report any unexpected problems so that potential issues can be investigated quickly and public health can be protected.
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