Forum warns of toxic materials in tampons

Women were warned of the dangers of the materials used in tampons and pads Tuesday at the Women's Resource Center's monthly forum.

Commercially produced pads and tampons are made of a wood-pulp derivative called rayon, said Carol Toney, one presenter at the forum. The rayon is chlorine bleached, and the bleach produces dioxin, a toxin that is unsafe at any level, she said.

"Become better informed," Toney said. "Investigate commercial pads and tampons yourself. Experiment with organics."

A woman will use about 11,000 pads or tampons in her menstrual life, she said. People who use these products can experience many problems including migraines, heavy and long periods, bad cramping and diarrhea, Toney said.   Many women do not know that these products can cause these problems because they are often attributed to the person not the product, Toney said.

The forum, which was led by Monica Lange, an instructor in psychology and women's studies, was meant to provide information and offer resources to the 20 people present, Lange said.

Susan Ramirez, another presenter, talked about a girl's first period known as menarche.

"When girls start at 9, 10, 11 years old, they are ill-prepared," Ramirez said. Many parents lack the information needed to help a girl prepare for menarche, she said.

Many people believe that providing information on this subject is detrimental to girls, Ramirez said, so they choose not to talk about it.

People believed that "if girls know about their bodies, then they will start masturbating and having intercourse," she said.

Lana Lott, the final presenter, switched from menstruation to another subject that affects women --bras.

"Most women don't think they have a choice about wearing a bra," Lott said. She said that many women wear bras to prevent sagging in later years, but there is no evidence that proves this, she said.

A study of women who wore bras 24 hours a day reported that they were more likely to develop breast cancer, Lott said. Bras constrict the lymphatic system and cut off blood flow, she said.

Breasts need to "breathe free," she said. She encouraged the women in the group to go without bras for two weeks or wear a camisole instead.