Let’s talk about something most of us probably never thought to question: what’s in our tampons?
Turns out, glyphosate—the same herbicide used in Roundup—has been found in menstrual products. And not just trace amounts. One recent UK study found levels 40 times higher than what’s allowed in drinking water.
That’s right. The very products designed for our most sensitive areas might be exposing us to a chemical under increasing global scrutiny.
Wait, How Does Glyphosate Even Get in There?
It starts with cotton. Glyphosate is often sprayed on cotton crops to kill weeds and make harvesting easier. And because tampons are mostly made from cotton, residues can stick around, even by the time those products hit store shelves.
It’s not a glitch in the system—it is the system. And we’re the ones absorbing the consequences.
Why This Should Worry You
Vaginal tissue is highly absorbent—more so than your skin. Chemicals that come into contact with it can make their way into the bloodstream fast. That’s what makes this so disturbing. The detected glyphosate level? 0.004 mg/kg. The legal limit in drinking water? Just 0.0001 mg/kg.
You wouldn’t drink water with 40 times the safe glyphosate level. So why are we expected to accept it in tampons?
Nobody’s Regulating This?
You’d think there would be strict rules, right? But menstrual products are shockingly underregulated. Unlike food or water, these products don’t have to meet tight glyphosate limits. There’s a massive blind spot in policy here—and it’s one that puts people at risk.
What’s the Health Risk?
While there’s limited research on tampon-specific exposure, we do know that glyphosate is associated with serious health concerns—endocrine disruption, fertility issues, and cancer, particularly non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Do we really need more proof before we start questioning whether glyphosate belongs anywhere near our bodies?
What You Can Do Right Now
We don’t have to wait for regulators to catch up. Choose certified organic tampons or reusable menstrual products like cups or pads. Start asking questions. Demand better transparency from brands. And let’s make sure the government knows this matters.
The Bigger Question
We wouldn’t tolerate these chemical levels in our food or water—so why are we tolerating them in something this personal?
This isn’t just about tampons. It’s about trust, transparency, and the quiet ways chemicals sneak into our lives without consent. And once you start to see it, you can’t unsee it.
So ask yourself: How did we let glyphosate get this close?
Resources and References
It’s one thing to raise questions—it’s another to back them with evidence. While research specific to glyphosate in tampons is still emerging, several related studies shed light on the broader issue of chemical exposure through menstrual products. From herbicide residues in cotton to toxic metals in tampons, these findings reveal a troubling pattern of under-regulation and underestimation.
Blood, Sweat & Pesticides Report (2025)
A collaborative study by PAN UK, Women’s Environmental Network, and the Pesticide Collaboration found glyphosate in tampons at levels 40 times higher than the UK and EU legal limit for drinking water. The report highlights the lack of regulation for chemical residues in period products and calls for urgent reforms.
Read the report
Toxic pesticide levels found in tampons 40 times higher than legal limit for water
Reported that glyphosate was found in tampons at levels 40 times higher than the legal limit for drinking water, emphasizing the potential health risks due to direct absorption through vaginal tissue.
As reported in The Guardian
Menstrual Products as a Source of Environmental Chemical Exposure (2022)
This comprehensive review examines nearly two dozen studies measuring environmental contaminants in menstrual products, including glyphosate, dioxins, and phthalates. It emphasizes the need for further research into the health risks associated with these exposures.
Access the study
Glyphosate Herbicide: Reproductive Outcomes and Multigenerational Effects (2021)
This review discusses the potential estrogenic effects of glyphosate and its formulations, highlighting concerns about endocrine disruption, fertility issues, and multigenerational health impacts.
View the publication
Tampons as a Source of Exposure to Metal(loid)s (2024)
A study published in Environment International detected 16 metals, including lead and arsenic, in tampons. The findings raise concerns about the potential health risks of metal exposure through menstrual products.
Read the study
Toxic Metals Found in Tampons (2024)
Research by the University of California, Berkeley, revealed the presence of toxic metals in tampons, including lead, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, and zinc. The study underscores the need for transparency and regulation in menstrual product manufacturing.
Learn more
Even when glyphosate isn’t the primary focus, the pattern is clear: harmful substances are showing up in the very products we use most intimately. It’s time we stopped treating that as normal.
Further Reading on NoMoreGlyphosate.nz
Glyphosate and Hormone Disruption: What We Know So Far
This article explores the potential endocrine-disrupting effects of glyphosate, the active ingredient in many herbicides. It discusses studies suggesting that glyphosate exposure may interfere with hormonal balance, potentially impacting reproductive health. The piece emphasizes the need for further research to fully understand the implications of glyphosate on the endocrine system.
Read all about Glyphosate and Hormone Disruption
MPI’s Missing Data: Why We Can’t Trust the Glyphosate Reassurance
This piece critiques the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) for its lack of comprehensive data on glyphosate residues in food and the environment. It argues that without transparent and thorough testing, assurances about glyphosate’s safety remain questionable. The article calls for more rigorous monitoring and public disclosure to ensure informed decision-making.
Discover MPI’s Missing Data
Why Glyphosate Isn’t Just a Weed Killer — It’s a Public Health Issue
This article delves into the broader implications of glyphosate use beyond its herbicidal function. It examines concerns about glyphosate’s potential links to cancer, environmental degradation, and its presence in various consumer products. The piece advocates for a reevaluation of glyphosate’s widespread application in light of emerging health and ecological concerns.
Learn Why Glyphosate Isn’t Just a Weed Killer
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