What is an Organic Tampon?

An organic tampon is a feminine hygiene product that is made from organic materials. Generally, with an organic tampon, the cotton absorber is 100 percent organic. It is not made from any synthetic materials, such as rayon. As a result, it decreases the risk of a deadly side effect of non-organic tampons called Toxic Shock Syndrome as well as reduces the likelihood of coming in contact with a known carcinogen, dioxin.

One of the main factors of an organic tampon is the organic cotton absorber. Since the absorber is made of organic cotton, it ensures that it is free from pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides. In fact, non-organic cotton is grown under conditions where heavy chemical use is prominent, making organic cotton a good choice.

In addition, an organic tampon is not made of rayon. Rayon is a synthetic material that undergoes a harsh bleaching process. When the rayon is bleached, dioxin is produced. Dioxin is considered to be a carcinogen and may cause cancer. At this time, some researchers believe that the levels of dioxin that are produced in the non-organic tampon are very low and will not cause health problems. In the alternative, some people believe that the dioxin is in contact with sensitive areas within the body of a woman and may cause cancer over time.

An organic tampon also is not deodorized. In general, a deodorant is made from a synthetic fragrance, which can irritate sensitive areas. Generally, the chemicals that are used to create the fragrance are not made known to the consumer. As a result, most women do not know what chemicals they are inserting directly into their bodies.

A deadly ailment that is associated with the use of non-organic tampons is called Toxic Shock Syndrome. The synthetic material rayon is one of the main contributors to Toxic Shock Syndrome. In fact, research indicates that as long as the woman using the organic tampon follows the manufacturers directs, she will significantly reduce the likelihood of Toxic Shock Syndrome.

Although there are many health benefits to using an organic tampon, there are a few detriments. For example, they are less absorbent than non-organic tampons. In fact, much of the absorbency associated with tampons comes from the synthetic rayon, an item not present in organic tampons. In addition, organic tampons may be more expensive than most non-organic tampons. They are not available in all grocery stores or super centers, but can be found in many natural food stores or through the Internet.