Testing tampon brands for endocrine disrupting hormones.

Commercially available tampon contains chemicals that, when inside the body, have been linked to disruptions in hormone regulation.

A pilot study using the suite of InsituGen bioassays have shown that a commercially available tampon contains chemicals that, when inside the body, have been linked to disruptions in hormone regulation.

Many sanitary products on the market are fully or partially made from synthetic fibres, with little known about their health impact.

InsituGen has worked with Organic Initiative and Zestt Wellness to assess the presence of potential endocrine disrupting chemicals in feminine hygiene products. Our pilot study evaluated estrogen and androgen activity, and shows that in one commercially available brand there was significant estrogenic activity that in the body may be endocrine-disrupting

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals are a potential health threat to humans, recognised as such for decades. Xenoestrogens, those chemicals that mimic estrogen in the body by binding to estrogen receptors are of particular importance to women due to the potential disruption to normal physiologic functioning. Prolonged exposures can increase the risk of many types of endocrine-related syndromes and diseases.

The results from this pilot study show that further investigation of a wider range of human health products is warranted.

InsituGen’s work with Organic Initiative highlights the potential of our bioassay technology in human and animal health. Read more about our technology and its applications on our website.

Visit Organic Initiative to learn more their involvement in this pilot study and their use of our technology on their website.