New mandatory labeling for periodic protection

2024-04-08 05:00:47

Nowadays, women are increasingly interested in knowing the composition of the periodic intimate protection products they use as well as the potential associated risks. Faced with these legitimate questions, ANSES’s recommendations have been taken into account through the publication of a new decree relating to the labeling of feminine protection. The objective being to strengthen the protection and information of consumers. We take stock.

Intimate protection: various products intended for women

THE intimate protections refer to a wide range of products that absorb menstrual flow and urinary leakage. Usable from the appearance of the first rules, we distinguish two categories:

THE external intimate protections(which are not inserted into the vagina). These include sanitary napkins, panty liners (made of cellulose, synthetic substances and super-absorbent) and menstrual panties. THE internal intimate protections(to be inserted into the vagina). These are single-use sanitary tampons (made of cotton derivatives and synthetic products) or reusable menstrual cups (made of thermoplastic elastomer or medical grade silicone).

In 2017, a survey was conducted among a representative sample of French women. The objective was threefold:

Take stock of their practices in terms of intimate protection. Understand the main factors determining the choice of this or that protection. Analyze perceptions of possible risks associated with their use.

It emerged that 91% of women used pads and panty liners in combination with another type of protection. The exclusive use of sanitary napkins only concerned 21% of women. Tampons were used more by women over 25 years old. As to hygiene measures, they were not sufficiently respected whether it is hand washing or the maximum wear time of protection. For example, 79% of tampon users said they kept them on all night when the recommended maximum duration is only 4 to 8 hours.

A French study dated 2022 supported these conclusions with durations of wearing tampons during the day greater than 5 hours for 10.7% of the women surveyed and 8 hours for 1.7% of them. As for menstrual cups, their wearing time during the day exceeded 5 hours per day for 39.7% of respondents. Regarding the perception of risks linked to the use of intimate protection, although 81% of participants in the survey considered that there was a risk for at least one type of protection, few of them knew precisely the nature of this risk. The risks of infection and irritation, dryness or itching have been cited for all intimate protections. As for the risk of menstrual toxic shock syndromeit was mainly associated with tampons and menstrual cups.

To know ! Menstrual toxic shock syndrome refers to a rare condition caused by the release of toxins by certain strains of bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus. It combines several symptoms such as high fever, rash, drop in blood pressure and failure of one or more organs. Toxic shock syndrome is often linked to periods since certain periodic protections such as the tampon or the menstrual cup cause the blood to stagnate in the vagina, thus encouraging the multiplication of bacteria that produce toxins dangerous to the body.

Read also – Toxic shock syndrome: the dangers of tampons

A study to assess the safety of intimate protection

It was in 2017 that several studies revealed the presence of various chemical substances in intimate protection:

Perfuming substances added intentionally. Substances resulting from contamination of raw materials or the manufacturing process (carcinogenic substances such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, reprotoxic substances such as phthalates).

ANSES therefore conducted a safety study in 2020 in order to to assess the health risks linked to the presence of these substances in sanitary napkins, panty liners and tampons based on the use of 6 intimate protection products or 4 menstrual cups per day. Risks were assessed taking into account the weight of adult women and young adolescents. It turns out that following analysis, the Agency did not no evidence of exceeding health thresholds and risk to the health of exposed women.

Regarding the risk of toxic shock syndrome, it seems more linked to the conditions of use of intimate protection than to their composition. With the aim of limiting risks as much as possible, ANSES therefore reminds users of menstrual cups and tampons of the importance of respecting the recommendations for using these protections and changing them regularly. Therefore, it is advisable to wash your hands before and following changing personal protection. As for tampons, they should not be used outside of your period.

Read also – Menstrual toxic shock: cups and tampons “whitened” by ANSES

A decree strengthens the protection and information of consumers

The Agency also recommends that manufacturers of internal intimate protection products clearly state on their packaging and instructions for use the existence of the risk of toxic shock syndrome. It also urges them to eliminate or reduce as much as possible the presence of risky substances in the composition of intimate protection (naming carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic substances, endocrine disruptors and skin sensitizers). Finally, ANSES is calling for stricter European regulations to limit the presence of chemical substances in feminine protection.

At a time when the exact composition of intimate protection products is still too rarely mentioned on packaging, public authorities have published a decree aimed at strengthening the protection and information of consumers. Since April 1, 2024, manufacturers have therefore the obligation to mention on the packaging and/or the instructions of their products the following information:

The composition of intimate protection THE precautions for use THE associated health risks to the composition or use of these products. Information regarding the risk of developing toxic shock syndrome menstrual pad for internal intimate protection and recommendations for use to reduce this risk.

To know ! Recommendations for the use of internal intimate protection should mention that they should not be worn for more than 6 hours and should not be used at night. If symptoms of menstrual toxic shock syndrome appear, you should remove the protection and immediately consult a doctor.

There is no doubt that these new measures relating to the labeling of periodic intimate protection will make it possible to better inform and protect women.

Read also – Hygienic protection: women’s choices are changing
Déborah L., Doctor in Pharmacy

– Are intimate protection products safe for women? www.anses.fr. Accessed April 2, 2024.
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