Traces of glyphosate, a pesticide linked to cancer, have been found at very high levels in menstrual products. According to a new study released by the Pesticide Action Network UK (PAN UK), the Women’s Environmental Network, and the Pesticide Collaboration, glyphosate was detected in tampons at concentrations up to 40 times higher than the maximum level permitted in drinking water.
Researchers described the findings as “concerning,” especially given how menstrual products such as tampons and pads are used: “Given the global concern around the impact of glyphosate on human health, finding it in menstrual products is alarming,” the study notes. “Chemicals absorbed via the vagina bypass the body’s metabolic system, entering straight into the bloodstream — a more direct route compared to absorption through the mouth or skin.”
Glyphosate is the most commonly used herbicide in the world. It has been classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a “probable carcinogen” since 2015. It has been increasingly linked to health concerns, including certain cancers and neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease.
The presence of glyphosate in menstrual products is largely traced back to the cotton used in their production. Cotton is one of the most pesticide-intensive crops in the world. Currently, less than 1% of global cotton is grown organically, meaning most cotton used in everyday products is treated with chemical pesticides.
The study also references earlier research showing that menstrual products can contain other harmful substances, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), synthetic fragrances, and heavy metals like lead and arsenic. These chemicals have been linked to reproductive health challenges such as infertility, endometriosis, and hormonal imbalances.
Beyond product safety, the report highlights the occupational risks faced by cotton farmers, particularly women in low- and middle-income countries, who often work without proper protective equipment and are regularly exposed to toxic chemicals. In contrast, case studies from Benin, Brazil, and India showed that organic cotton farming can offer a safer, more empowering alternative for women farmers.
The study calls for stronger regulation of the materials used in menstrual products and the adoption of global product safety standards. Currently, there is no universal regulatory framework for what ingredients can be used in menstrual care products.
According to the Sanitation and Hygiene Fund (SHF), an estimated 1.8 billion people menstruate each month worldwide. Despite this, menstrual products remain largely unregulated in many countries, leaving consumers with little information about what they are using.
The report concludes by recommending increased transparency from manufacturers, better safety standards, and greater support for organic cotton farming initiatives.
“These findings underscore the urgent need for a global conversation on menstrual product safety,” the authors write. “People who menstruate have a right to know what’s in the products they rely on.”
