any connection between endometriosis and tampons?

Question

I have been told they cause retrograde bleeding is this true?

Answer 1

There are concerns that chemicals (dioxin) in tampons may increase a woman's risk of developing endometriosis. Medical studies that would provide a definitive answer to this question have not been performed. No difference was observed in the few studies that have looked at the incidence of endometriosis in tampon users and nonusers. The Tampon Safety and Research Act of 1997 (H.R. 2900), introduced by Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney November 7, 1997, would provide the necessary research to investigate this issue.

The primary concern, regarding tampon use and endometriosis, is presence of dioxin in tampons. Rayon, a synthetic fiber, is very absorbent and is used in most tampons. Chlorine is used to bleach the rayon during the manufacturing process to give the tampons a "clean" white appearance. The chlorine bleaching process used in the production of the majority of tampons reportedly produces a toxic byproduct known as dioxin. Proctor & Gamble, the makers of Tampax, state the chlorine bleaching process does not produce detectable levels of dioxin. Dioxin (TCDD; 2,3,7,8-tetracholorodibenzo-p-dioxin) is thought to be toxic at very low doses. Dioxin is also a byproduct of pesticide production and PVC (polyvinyl chloride) pipes. Studies have suggested links between dioxin and cancer, behavioral effects and learning disorders, decreased male sex hormone, diabetes, immune system toxicity, sperm loss and endometriosis

Several studies have looked at the relationship between endometriosis and dioxin. Reir et. al. published a study in 1993 and again in 1995 documenting an increased incidence of endometriosis in rhesus monkeys following exposure to dioxin. The monkeys were exposed to dioxin over a period of 4 years. Ten years later they underwent laparoscopic evaluation for endometriosis. There were three groups of monkeys in this study; a control group (no exposure to dioxin), a low dose group (5 ppt dioxin) and a high dose group (25ppt of dioxin). Thirty three percent of the monkeys in the control group had endometriosis, but none with moderate or severe endometriosis. The incidence of moderate to severe endometriosis was 43% in the low dose dioxin group, and 71% in the high dose dioxin group. There was clearly an increase incidence of endometriosis with exposure to dioxin and an increased severity with the dose of dioxin. An Israel study published in 1997 evaluates the potential association of dioxin and endometriosis in infertile women. The study group was comprised of infertile women with endometriosis and the control group was infertile women without endometriosis. Eighteen percent of women in the endometriosis group tested positive for dioxin while only 3% were positive for dioxin in the non-endometriosis group. However, in contrast to the monkey study, the concentration of dioxin did not correlate with the severity of endometriosis.

Lamb and Berg published a study in 1985 examining the potential role of tampons in women with endometriosis. The rate of tampon use in 470 women with endometriosis (82%) was compared to that of the general population (75 to 83%). While there was no statistical difference in the rate of tampon use in this study, the age at initial tampon use was statistically earlier in the endometriosis group. In a 1993 case control study, Darrow et. Al. compared tampon use in 104 women with laparoscopically confirmed endometriosis to 100 friends of the patients. Compared to their friends, women with endometriosis under the age of 30 were, on average, 3.6 times as likely to have a history of tampon use of greater than or equal to 14 years.

As is evident from the above paragraph, the medical literature is pretty weak when it comes to the issue of endometriosis and tampon use. There is also the theoretical concern of tampons increasing the resistance of outflow of the menstrual fluid that could result in an increase in the amount of retrograde menstruation. As I have discussed previously, the leading theory of the cause of endometriosis is retrograde menstruation. A lot of women use tampons and thus a definitive answer is needed to the question of tampon use and the possible increased risk of endometriosis. A bill has been submitted in congress to help promote medical research to answer this question.

The Tampon Safety and Research Act of 1977; "A bill to provide for research to determine the extent to which the presence of dioxin, synthetic fibers, and other additives in tampons and similar products used by women with respect to menstruation pose any risks to the health of women, including risks relating to cervical cancer endometriosis, infertility, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, immune system deficiencies, pelvic inflammatory disease, and toxic shock syndrome, and for other purposes" was introduced by Representative Carolyn Maloney, 11/07/97. This bill was referred to the subcommittee on Health and Environment November 14, 1997 where it remains to this day.

In Summary, the chlorine bleaching process traditionally used in the production of tampons creates dioxin. Many health problems including endometriosis have been linked to low dose dioxin exposure. The presence of dioxin in tampons may pose a health risk, but the degree and significance of this risk is unknown. Dioxin is concentrated in fat tissue and thus is found in food sources such as red meat and fish. Elimination of dioxin from tampons may be beneficial to your health but will not eliminate your exposure to this chemical. Until the necessary medical studies are available, such as those proposed in the Tampon Safety and Research Act of 1977, the medical community will not be able to provide you with hard facts. Feminine pads are an alternative to tampons. While most pads are bleached with chlorine and may result in dioxin production, this product is placed on the outside of the body and thus reduces your exposure. If you decide to use tampons, you will have to weigh the evidence and decide for yourself whether you are comfortable using traditional tampons or would prefer to use natural tampons.

Dioxin free tampons are available. If you feel more comfortable using an unbleached tampon, I have included some links and phone numbers that you might find helpful. I have no association with any of the companies listed nor am I endorsing any of their products.

Answer 2

Well you already got two really good answers, but endometriosis is primarily caused by an estrogen overage.

I quote:

If you have endometriosis, you probably already know that estrogen "feeds" endometriosis growth. This is why endometriosis only affects women during their high-estrogen adult years. When your menstrual periods stop around age 50 (menopause) and your estrogen levels drop, endometriosis growth and symptoms will probably also stop (in some cases, endometriosis scar tissue remains after menopause and can cause problems).

Some say a liver flush helps too:

http://www.sensiblehealth.com/endo.html

Answer 3

No, no retrograde menses from use of them, but certainly potential dioxin concerns. The Endo Research Center has a ton of free info on this and all of Endo related subjects. Visit them at www.endocenter.org.

Answer 4

not sure but there is a connection between tampons and TSS (toxic Shock Syndrome) which can be fatal ^_^ Jordi ^_^

Answer 5

def not as my daughter was diagnosed with it at 12 and never used a tampon at that age!!

Answer 6

all i know is that endometriosis is hereditary. i had it, my mom had it, and her mom had it. i also know i had it before i used tampons.

Answer 7

There are concerns that chemicals (dioxin) in tampons may increase a woman's risk of developing endometriosis. Medical studies that would provide a definitive answer to this question have not been performed. No difference was observed in the few studies that have looked at the incidence of endometriosis in tampon users and nonusers. The Tampon Safety and Research Act of 1997 (H.R. 2900), introduced by Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney November 7, 1997, would provide the necessary research to investigate this issue.

The primary concern, regarding tampon use and endometriosis, is presence of dioxin in tampons. Rayon, a synthetic fiber, is very absorbent and is used in most tampons. Chlorine is used to bleach the rayon during the manufacturing process to give the tampons a "clean" white appearance. The chlorine bleaching process used in the production of the majority of tampons reportedly produces a toxic byproduct known as dioxin. Proctor & Gamble, the makers of Tampax, state the chlorine bleaching process does not produce detectable levels of dioxin. Dioxin (TCDD; 2,3,7,8-tetracholorodibenzo-p-... is thought to be toxic at very low doses. Dioxin is also a byproduct of pesticide production and PVC (polyvinyl chloride) pipes. Studies have suggested links between dioxin and cancer, behavioral effects and learning disorders, decreased male sex hormone, diabetes, immune system toxicity, sperm loss and endometriosis

Several studies have looked at the relationship between endometriosis and dioxin. Reir et. al. published a study in 1993 and again in 1995 documenting an increased incidence of endometriosis in rhesus monkeys following exposure to dioxin. The monkeys were exposed to dioxin over a period of 4 years. Ten years later they underwent laparoscopic evaluation for endometriosis. There were three groups of monkeys in this study; a control group (no exposure to dioxin), a low dose group (5 ppt dioxin) and a high dose group (25ppt of dioxin). Thirty three percent of the monkeys in the control group had endometriosis, but none with moderate or severe endometriosis. The incidence of moderate to severe endometriosis was 43% in the low dose dioxin group, and 71% in the high dose dioxin group. There was clearly an increase incidence of endometriosis with exposure to dioxin and an increased severity with the dose of dioxin. An Israel study published in 1997 evaluates the potential association of dioxin and endometriosis in infertile women. The study group was comprised of infertile women with endometriosis and the control group was infertile women without endometriosis. Eighteen percent of women in the endometriosis group tested positive for dioxin while only 3% were positive for dioxin in the non-endometriosis group. However, in contrast to the monkey study, the concentration of dioxin did not correlate with the severity of endometriosis.

Lamb and Berg published a study in 1985 examining the potential role of tampons in women with endometriosis. The rate of tampon use in 470 women with endometriosis (82%) was compared to that of the general population (75 to 83%). While there was no statistical difference in the rate of tampon use in this study, the age at initial tampon use was statistically earlier in the endometriosis group. In a 1993 case control study, Darrow et. Al. compared tampon use in 104 women with laparoscopically confirmed endometriosis to 100 friends of the patients. Compared to their friends, women with endometriosis under the age of 30 were, on average, 3.6 times as likely to have a history of tampon use of greater than or equal to 14 years.

As is evident from the above paragraph, the medical literature is pretty weak when it comes to the issue of endometriosis and tampon use. There is also the theoretical concern of tampons increasing the resistance of outflow of the menstrual fluid that could result in an increase in the amount of retrograde menstruation. As I have discussed previously, the leading theory of the cause of endometriosis is retrograde menstruation. A lot of women use tampons and thus a definitive answer is needed to the question of tampon use and the possible increased risk of endometriosis. A bill has been submitted in congress to help promote medical research to answer this question.

The Tampon Safety and Research Act of 1977; "A bill to provide for research to determine the extent to which the presence of dioxin, synthetic fibers, and other additives in tampons and similar products used by women with respect to menstruation pose any risks to the health of women, including risks relating to cervical cancer endometriosis, infertility, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, immune system deficiencies, pelvic inflammatory disease, and toxic shock syndrome, and for other purposes" was introduced by Representative Carolyn Maloney, 11/07/97. This bill was referred to the subcommittee on Health and Environment November 14, 1997 where it remains to this day.

In Summary, the chlorine bleaching process traditionally used in the production of tampons creates dioxin. Many health problems including endometriosis have been linked to low dose dioxin exposure. The presence of dioxin in tampons may pose a health risk, but the degree and significance of this risk is unknown. Dioxin is concentrated in fat tissue and thus is found in food sources such as red meat and fish. Elimination of dioxin from tampons may be beneficial to your health but will not eliminate your exposure to this chemical. Until the necessary medical studies are available, such as those proposed in the Tampon Safety and Research Act of 1977, the medical community will not be able to provide you with hard facts. Feminine pads are an alternative to tampons. While most pads are bleached with chlorine and may result in dioxin production, this product is placed on the outside of the body and thus reduces your exposure. If you decide to use tampons, you will have to weigh the evidence and decide for yourself whether you are comfortable using traditional tampons or would prefer to use natural tampons.

Dioxin free tampons are available. If you feel more comfortable using an unbleached tampon, I have included some links and phone numbers that you might find helpful. I have no association with any of the companies listed nor am I endorsing any of their products.