Eco test
Reliable bloodsuckers: Almost all tampons get top marks
Clean performance: Oekotest can recommend all tested tampon brands.
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Tampons are still the most popular menstrual product. But are they as good as their reputation? Oekotest did the practical test and tested 19 different bloodsuckers. The result is extremely pleasing.
Menstrual cups and period underwear are the better options in terms of environmental friendliness, but most women still rely on tampons. They are still the most popular period product. That’s not a mistake. Because, as Oekotest found out in the current test, the use is harmless to health. 17 out of 19 tested tampons with the absorbency “3 droplets” got top marks, two with “good”.
While questionable substances were found in tampons in previous tests, Oekotest has nothing to complain about this time. Neither skin-irritating substances nor environmental toxins or residues from the bleaching processes were found. But the tampons convinced with a good suction power, solid stability and robustness. Only two tampon brands suffered a devaluation. According to the testers, the thread of the Norma brand “Floriola” and the “Naturell” tampons from Globus broke “with moderate effort”.
“Very good” tampons from two cents each
And when it comes to price, Oekotest has positive things to report. The cheapest ones are in the Müller drugstore. The “Duchesse” tampons cost 2 cents each, the “Organyc” cost more than ten times as much (22 cents/unit) and are the most expensive of the range, but are made entirely of organic cotton. Since the beginning of 2020, menstrual items have been part of everyday needs. Since then, the full VAT rate of 19 percent has no longer been charged for these products, but the reduced rate of 7 percent.
As a result, the manufacturers lowered the prices and – with a few exceptions – did not raise them again. Despite the increases, prices are still below pre-tax rates. Only manufacturer Johnson&Johnson stands out negatively. He tricked, changed his “ob” tampons, changed the name and corrected the price upwards.
The question of sustainability remains. So far, there is very little solid data on this. Oekotest cites a study commissioned by the Einhorn company, which came to the conclusion that menstrual cups are more ecologically sustainable than disposable products even if they are made of organic cotton. If you still want tampons, then those made from organic cotton are the most environmentally friendly. “The natural fiber is grown without pesticides – and organic tampons usually do without a plastic fleece around the absorbent core,” says Oekotest. Again and again there are warnings about the possibility that pollutants could accumulate in the body through tampons or plastic packaging, read “Quarks”. A danger that can also be avoided with organic products.
But despite the top results, women should always keep in mind the possible risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS) when using tampons. Wearing a tampon for too long can cause TSS. Although this is very rare, it can be life-threatening, which is why it is warned of on every tampon pack. However, it has not yet been conclusively proven whether the menstrual cup is less dangerous.
All test results are available for a fee oekotest.de read.