A TikTok video has gone viral after the user’s claims that tampons containing titanium dioxide cause cancer alarmed many social media users. Several OB-GYNs, however, have disproved the video’s claims, saying it spreads misinformation.
One medical expert has received countless messages on her social media account from women with concerns based on the information mentioned in the viral video, according to Today.
Titanium dioxide has been linked to cancer — but that's not the full story.
Dr. Jennifer Lincoln, who is considered a specialist in the field and has years of experience, said she received an influx of questions and distressing messages regarding tampons being linked to cysts and cancer diagnoses a few weeks ago after someone’s misinformation about tampon ingredients went viral across social media.
Lincoln penned the book Let’s Talk about Down There: An OB-GYN Answers all Your Burning Questions…Without Making You Feel Embarrassed for Asking to help women learn more about their menstrual cycles.
She explained to Today that there are studies on Google associating the chemical compound with cancer.
Studies have shown that titanium dioxide causes cancer through inhalation and food products.
“There’s really two reasons why people think that it could cause cancer, and I can understand why because it’s confusing,” Lincoln told Today.
“If you Google titanium dioxide and cancer, you are going to see studies that show it has been linked with cancer. What’s lost in translation is that it’s really related to the inhalation of titanium dioxide, not (when it’s) used internally, such as a tampon,” Lincoln explained, noting that the substance has been studied in animals.
The second reason is in connection to food products after the European Union banned titanium dioxide, classifying the compound as a cancerous toxin, according to the US Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agriculture Service.
In July, USA Today reported that a consumer filed a lawsuit against the manufacturer of Skittles after learning that the candy contained titanium dioxide.
Why is titanium dioxide considered harmful?
Even though most people may not know what titanium dioxide is, it is important to understand why the substance is considered harmful in some instances. Titanium dioxide is a white chemical compound used in many industrial and consumer products from sunscreen, toothpaste, and soap to paint, printing inks, and ceramics, chemicalsafety.org reported.
“It’s a compound that reflects light particles. It’s on the string — so it’s not even in the part of the tampon that’s inside the vagina,” Lincoln said. “They use it to make the string look whiter.”
Dr. Jennifer Wu, an OB-GYN at Lenox Hill Hospital, said the chemical compound is widely used in products that consumers use daily.
“It’s really pervasive because it’s a whitening agent. If you think of all the cosmetics and dyes and candy and food — it’s everywhere,” she told Today.
Are tampons causing other health issues among women?
Over the past few decades, tampons have been associated with other health issues such as toxic shock syndrome. Dr. Christine Greves, an OB-GYN in Orlando, Florida, and Lincoln, however, believe women shouldn’t stress so much about using them. “We see tampons as something that could potentially harm us,” Lincoln said.
Toxic shock syndrome, or TSS, occurs when super-absorbent tampons are inserted for some time without changing to a new one, causing harmful bacteria to grow. Although there were more than 812 cases of TSS in 1980, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the numbers started decreasing after companies stopped manufacturing super-absorbent tampons.
“Toxic shock syndrome is definitely less common simply because now we’re educated. We know it’s very important to remove the tampon, not to leave it in,” Greves explained.
“I also think — this is just my theory — that anything that goes in the vagina, in this country, we’re somewhat scared of it. We see tampons as this idea of ‘taking your virginity,’ which is, of course, BS,” she emphasized.
“I do think that they have an image problem because of that,” Lincoln added.
*Disclaimer: The advice on CafeMom.com is not a substitute for consultation with a medical professional or treatment for a specific condition. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem without consulting a qualified professional. Please contact your health-care provider with questions and concerns.
