Low Is Better Than High Absorbency In A Tampon, Ob-Gyns Say

You probably don't give a second thought to what tampons you're buying if you've been using the same brand since forever. While your preferences may not have changed throughout the years, the tampon selection out there certainly has. And you don't have to just settle for what your mom handed you the first time you saw a red spot on your underwear.

There may not necessarily be a best brand per se, but Stephanie McClellan, MD, the chief medical officer of the woman’s health app Tia, always recommends organic. “Intuitively, thinking about using something that has less chemicals in the process seems to be sensible to me because you’re literally putting them inside your body,” she says. The vagina is extremely absorbent. What you decide to put in it should be as pure as possible.

But there’s actually not much science behind what makes one brand superior to another, according to Gianni Rodriguez-Ayala, MD, who works in obstetrics and gynecology at Northwell Health. “The two most important factors to consider when choosing a tampon are whether you feel comfortable and whether it offers the least absorbency possible, while providing the right protection,” she says.

The absorbency factor is what you really want to watch out for. Both Drs. Rodriguez-Ayala and McClellan say higher absorbency tampons have been linked to an increased risk of toxic shock syndrome—a bacterial infection that can be deadly. “It’s important to avoid leaving tampons in for more than eight hours,” Dr. Rodriguez-Ayala says. “Selecting the right tampon for your particular body and flow can make it easier to avoid such unsafe habits.”

Here are the 10 best tampon brands right now. But remember: This is a personal choice. If you’re happy with the same tampons you’ve been using since you were 13, go ahead and stick with ‘em!

LOLA

amazon.com

$16.99

Shop Now

Lola is a newer brand made with 100 percent organic cotton. You can get these tampons with a cardboard or plastic applicator, or no applicator at all (you gotta use your finger). They come in light, regular, super, or super+ absorbencies. But the best part is that you can sign up for a monthly subscription, so your tampons are delivered to your door right before you need them each month.

U by Kotex

amazon.com

$9.36

Shop Now

First up, a classic. U by Kotex have a traditional smooth plastic applicator and come in regular, super, and super plus absorbencies. They also carry a version for sports and one for security (which means they’re extra absorbent).

Cora

amazon.com

$15.99

Shop Now

Another organic tampon company, Cora sets itself apart by specifying “BPA-free plastic applicators” and chlorine- and toxin-free cotton. If you use Cora, the company promises “comfort and low environmental impact.”

Tampax

amazon.com

$24.91

Shop Now

Another familiar one: Tampax is similar to Kotex in that these are your everyday, typical tampons. Tampax comes in light, regular, and super absorbencies and boasts a “LeakGuard Braid” to “stop leaks before they happen.”

o.b.

amazon.com

$9.49

Shop Now

If you’re eco-friendly, o.b. is the brand you want. This brand sells mostly applicator-free tampons, which are helpful if you want to reduce waste. But if you really need an applicator, they also have a plant-based version. These come in three absorbencies: regular, super, and super plus.

Playtex

amazon.com

$8.68

Shop Now

Another name you’re probably familiar with. This brand has sport tampons as well as “gentle glide.” While tampon choice is totally personal, you may want to stay away from the scented tampons Playtex sells. Your vagina is sensitive and fragrances can be irritating.

Seventh Generation

amazon.com

$22.80

Shop Now

Seventh Generation sells many environmentally conscious household goods, including tampons. These are chlorine-free and made of organic cotton and come in a package made of recycled materials.

Rael

amazon.com

$11.99

Shop Now

Leak-free protection, non-chlorine bleached cotton, 100 percent organic cotton, and a biodegradable applicator—that’s what you’re signing up for if you buy Rael tampons. The company is based in southern California and founded on a mission to “empower all women with safer and healthier alternatives.”

L.

amazon.com

$13.99

Shop Now

One of the most natural options out there, these tampons are made with organic cotton and "no ingredient you can't pronounce." You'll also be doing good to the world when you buy them because with every purchase, one is made accessible to another person who needs it.

NATRACARE

amazon.com

$23.25

Shop Now

This company does one better than your typical environmentally friendly brands—their products are fully biodegradable and plastic-free. Even better: They donate one percent of their profits to environmental causes each year.