In the world before the Internet, how did our mothers know so much about staying healthy? They definitely did the best they could. They instructed us in their health tips, and we accepted them as facts. 

BUT WERE THEY? 

Do you remember any of these “mom-said-so”-isms? 

❌ If you go out in the cold with wet hair, you’ll get pneumonia.

❌ Cracking your knuckles will make them big.

❌ If you swallow chewing gum, it will take 7 years to digest.

❌ Swimming too soon after eating will give you cramps and you could drown!

 I cherish the wisdom my mom passed down to me, but I also chuckle at the “body” and “medical” advice she dished out with GREAT confidence but ZERO evidence (btw – all mom facts above are false)! 

 One of the things she told me when I first started my period was that I was too young to use tampons. And after more than twenty years as a gynecologist, it’s clear she wasn’t the only one saying that. I hear it all the time from concerned moms.

“Can she use tampons this young?” 

At the same time, some of us are determined to be more forward-thinking than our mothers, so we might be tempted to say, “GO FOR IT – ALL YOU WANT!” 

But that would start a NEW myth that could be dangerous.

So the medically accurate answer?

Yes, but with caution.

What’s the worry?

Let me say first and foremost, there is no worry about taking away “virginity” or harming her delicate anatomy. Tampons are a hygiene tool that have nothing to do with sex or virginity (the concept of virginity is another whole blog…). And by the time she starts her period, her vagina is big enough for a tampon.

For her health, the only concern is toxic shock syndrome (TSS), a very rare but serious bacterial infection that has been associated with tampon use and is more common in younger users. For more on that, just click on the links to understand TSS, its warning signs, and how to reduce her risk for it. 

If you care about the WHY….

The vagina takes years to mature. In the time between her first breast bud and her first period, estrogen is helping to thicken the walls of the vagina and encouraging the growth of healthy bacteria that will control the pH and create the natural and healthy balance of “good” bacteria that we refer to as the microbiome (yes, the vagina has one, too). Even after she starts menstruating, the vaginal microbiome will continue to mature for several more years before her vagina has the protection of a mature microbiome and local immune system that helps fight the bacteria that can cause TSS. 

So what’s safe?

Although we don’t have specific studies examining the impact of tampons on the maturing vaginal microbiome, most experts recommend that for the first few years of menstruation, girls should avoid using tampons longer than needed, and should not use them around the clock. I know that’s not very specific, but the main idea is to “limit leaving things in the vagina” as much as possible so the microbiome can keep maturing without disruption through the early years of menstruating.

Prepare her

If she’s ready to use tampons, make sure she knows how they work, tips for inserting, and how to use them safely. We have all of that covered in our Class for Girls: All About Tampons.  

Organic or not?

Finally, if you’re asking that – you’re in good company. It’s one of the most common questions we hear related to products. The answer might surprise you, but we’ve got that covered in this blog: Are Period Products Harming Our Daughters?  

Let’s keep looking to science and asking the questions that allow us to raise informed, prepared, and healthy daughters – without myths or reckless abandon!

Did you know Girlology has grade-by-grade playlists listing on-demand video and downloadable content to support her and you through the entire journey? Learn More 

If you’ve never considered that question – I’m so sorry for even putting it in your head. Unfortunately, I hear it too often, so I want to give it a thoughtful answer. 

First, let me address WHY this question comes up pretty regularly: 

As moms, we already have plenty of worries. We’re fiercely protective, and any threat to our children’s well-being puts us in mama-bear mode.

As women, for too many centuries, society has [wrongly] centered our value around our ability to reproduce. We have internalized that message for generations, and instinctively, that makes any threat to our reproductive health feel especially terrifying.

So when fear or shame enter conversations about products related to our reproductive system, we go on high alert. 🚨

Marketers totally take advantage of these factors. They suggest that our vulvas are “dirty,” and then tell us their product will “fix it.” They tell us the products we use are dangerous, but that their product is “safer,” “cleaner,” or “more natural” (in marketing, none of these labels require any proof). Similarly, anyone aiming for viral attention on social media can do the same. These messages get our attention despite almost always being downright lies or unsubstantiated claims. 

I admit it; I’m vulnerable, too. I have three daughters. I provide reproductive healthcare for girls and women. I am motivated to get this right, so I’ve done a lot of research. I’ve talked with microbiologists, toxicologists, and know more about the manufacturing of period products than a lot of gynecologists. So, let me step off my anti-fear-mongering soapbox, and provide answers to some of the common questions we hear: 

Are there toxic chemicals in pads, tampons, menstrual cups or period underwear?

Everything is made of “chemicals.” And all chemicals can be toxic – even water (yes, it’s a chemical). So without advanced degrees in organic chemistry and physiology, it’s really difficult as a consumer to determine which chemicals should be of concern. When it comes to disposable pads and tampons which get the most “toxic” attention, they are primarily made of cotton or rayon (did you know rayon comes from wood pulp?), and they have other ingredients that have been thoroughly tested and deemed safe. Many of the ingredients are things used in other products we use and trust, like band-aids and diapers. 

Specifically, the chemicals that concern me most in personal care items are classified as “endocrine disruptors.” They are commonly found in certain plastics and many fragrances (even natural lavender oil). The most popular pads and tampons (including the pad liners and tampon plastic applicators) do not have those types of plastics in them. So my general rule is to avoid any scented products, and consider them safe.

Who makes sure they’re safe? 

All period products are regulated by the FDA as medical devices. That means ALL period products sold on the shelves of your local stores have been through a detailed process of research, development, safety testing, and ongoing monitoring for harmful effects. Those products also undergo routine testing that specifically monitors ingredients that have caused concern in the past like dioxins and chlorine bleach (which you won’t find in any products today).

Large consumer product companies spend billions of dollars on research and development. I have had opportunities to consult for global brands like Always and Tampax (no, they are not paying me nor sponsoring this content). I have talked with members of their giant team of experts and PhD researchers who are fiercely dedicated to science and data. They do important research that not only improves the products we use, but advances health science. And heck, many of them are women and/or parents, and they trust these products for themselves and their families. If my favorite toxicologist believes they’re safe, so do I. 

Aren’t organic pads and tampons safer? 

There are some things I use or consume that I prefer to be organic, but pads and tampons aren’t on that list. Here’s why. Organic cotton and conventional cotton both require a process using scalding hot water to remove the natural waxy coating (where pesticide and herbicide residue is held). That super hot process removes pesticides & herbicides so well, that they are no longer detectable even in non-organic cotton. Furthermore, there are zero studies to indicate that organic period products are healthier or safer for humans. All tampons (organic or conventional) carry the same risk for toxic shock syndrome, which is by far the most concerning, although very rare, tampon-related risk.  

Can pads or tampons cause ovarian cysts, endometriosis, or other reproductive health problems?

The reproductive system is complex, and there is no identifiable single cause of any diseases or abnormalities. Yet, it’s human nature to identify the root cause of problems we experience and point fingers at what we believe to be the cause. A recent case in point is the viral Tik Tok claim that titanium dioxide used as a whitener in tampon strings caused a young woman’s ovarian cysts. Period products simply can’t do that; it’s not biologically possible. Furthermore, titanium dioxide is a whitening ingredient used in toothpaste, sunscreens, and many foods. The amount in tampon strings is tiny compared to other uses, and it has never been considered unsafe. Just because we can identify something we did or used when we developed a problem, doesn’t mean it’s the cause of the problem. In science and medicine, we say correlation is not causation. Determining the actual root cause of a health problem is much more complicated than just relating it to a random event.

Perspective matters. 

At some point, we have to accept that everything we consume and everything we do carries risks. Some are more serious than others. Riding in a car is far more dangerous than the potential risks associated with the regulated consumer products we use on a daily (or monthly) basis. 

As mama-bears and concerned consumers, we should absolutely continue to pay attention, but it’s critical that we and our daughters figure out who to believe, understand where the claims come from, and stop getting our health information from random social media accounts. That’s the best way to fight fear-mongering, protect our kids, and prepare them to be smart consumers.

Did you know Girlology has grade-by-grade video on demand playlists to support her and you through all things puberty and adolescence. Our doctor-moms cover topics like this and lots others! Learn More HERE.