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👀 TITS UP, THIS IS IMPORTANT

♥️ Toxic metals could be in your tampons

In a 2024 study, researchers tested popular tampon brands and found toxic metals such as arsenic and lead. The FDA regulates the manufacturing of tampons, which are considered to be ‘medical devices’, and currently only recommend them to not contain pesticides or dioxin.

‘There is reason to believe that potentially harmful chemicals present in tampons might find their way into the rest of the body. The skin of the vulva and vagina are quite different from the skin on most of the rest of the body, says “Skin in this area is very, very sensitive and has a very high what we call permeability of chemicals. So it’s absorbed into the blood quite rapidly.”
-Stuart Batterman, PhD, professor of environmental health sciences at the University of Michigan School of Public Health in Ann Arbor.

Testing of menstrual products for metals isn’t required, although we know no amount of exposure to lead, in any form, is safe. Plastics, VOCs and fragrances were also found in tampons during this study.

Cool, cool, cool, cool, cool 😰. So what CAN we do?

Here’s what we can control and look for:

• Consider ‘100% Organic Cotton’ Tampons (and read the ingredient list, looking for as few ingredients as possible)

• Consider tampons without plastic applicators

• Steer clear of ‘fragrances’ which can include a plethora of different chemicals.

• Consider alternatives such as a menstrual cup or pad.

  Read More Here

📰 MORE NEWS ABOUT YOUR BODY

• A new ovarian cancer drug combined with chemotherapy, helped patients live a month longer without the disease getting worse and reduced the risk of cancer progression by 30% in certain ovarian cancer patients, compared with those on chemotherapy alone. Read about it here.

• USAID to end funding for family planning to developing countries.

  Over 50 million women will lose access to contraceptives. Read more here.

• Artificial sweeteners could actually be contributing to weight gain in the long run by affecting crucial hunger and satiety responses in the brain. Read more here.

🤔 WHAT WE’RE ASKING

❓ Are crash safety ratings designed to keep everyone safe?

• Unfortunately, not but congress is working to change that. As of now, women stand to be 80% more likely to be seriously injured in a car crash. The original crash test dummy was designed around a male body and current legislation requires car companies to use the old standard ‘female’ dummy representing the smallest 5% of women. At a whopping 108 lbs and 4’11” height, this model still was based off of a male build, not accounting for stature and frame differences. The “She DRIVES Act” would require companies to test with new dummies that reflect REAL women’s bodies. Read more here.

❓ Do Botox alternatives actually work?

• Dr. Dennis Gross, a board-certified Dermatologist says, yes! If you’re not down with the ‘Tox’, the goal is to focus on building collagen in different ways such as LED lighting (which was just FDA approved), different serum ingredients, lasers, peels, face taping, etc. Listen more here.

See a headline or tip we should include? Or do you have a question you want us to explore? Tag us @stayabreasthq