Prepare to See a New Label on Your Tampons if You Live in NY

Once upon a time when your period arrived, pads were the only option, but now you can choose from tampons, period panties, menstrual cups, and even organic tampons. Yes, organic. Not just for food anymore, organic is term you've likely seen when buying bedding or beauty products, and now it's made its way to menstrual care products.

Knowing what's in your menstrual products is becoming increasingly important. On October 11th, International Day of the Girl, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed into law the Menstrual Products Right To Know Act (Bill A164A). This law requires that all menstrual products sold in New York State have a printed ingredients list on their packaging. While all menstrual products sold in the United States must pass FDA evaluations, manufacturers are not required to disclose ingredients.

"Consumers do have a right to know what is in the products they use," according to Dr. Alyssa Dweck MD, author of The Complete A to Z for Your V and OB/GYN in Mount Kisco, NY. The experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Wellness Lab and Textiles, Paper, and Plastics Lab put top tampon brands to the test to see which are actually worth your money. We only considered tampons that passed FDA evaluations that ensure they are safe for use and labeled correctly.

In Lab tests, GH fiber scientists evaluated how much fluid each tampon absorbed, if the fluid leaked after absorption, and if any fibers shed when opened. Meanwhile, more than 150 consumer testers provided feedback on ease of use and comfort of each brand. These winning tampons not only performed well in our Lab tests, but consumers loved them too. Before you get shopping, here's everything you need to know about organic tampons:

What's the difference between regular tampons and organic tampons?

Organic tampons are made with organic cotton, which is grown without the use of synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. Non-organic styles typically use a mix of cotton and rayon. Both options either have a plastic applicator, cardboard applicator, or none at all. If sustainability is a priority, non-applicator styles are the best waste-reducing option.

Organic tampons aim to omit avoid any harmful chemicals such as dioxins that are potentially present in traditional tampons. But, Dr. Dweck notes that "traditional tampons are currently considered safe," as they are regulated by the FDA.

Are organic tampons better than regular tampons?

There's no current research about whether there are any actual health benefits from using organic tampons over non-organic tampons. Unlike food, which you ingest, tampons are inserted and then changed 4-6 hours later. However, your vagina's mucous membrane can absorb toxins and chemicals — especially over a prolonged period of time. So some consumers may not want to risk any exposure. Bottom line: It really comes down to personal preference!

No matter if you opt for organic or non-organic tampons, you want to be sure they're absorbent, comfortable, and most importantly, successful at preventing leaks. If you're ready to switch to an organic style, here are the best organic tampons to buy in 2019: