6 Reasons To Avoid Herbal Tampons

Herbal tampons, also known as womb pearls, are mesh bags stuffed with herbs that some vendors suggest inserting into your vagina. These vendors claim that herbs like motherwort and angelica in these tampons "detoxify" your vagina, helping you flush out harmful microbes and other toxins. Learn more about why you should not use herbal tampons.

Herbal Tampons Do Not Detox Your Body

Though many products claim to detox your body, you do not need to use these products to keep your body healthy. If toxins or bacteria get into your body, you are equipped to dispose of them naturally. Your liver, spleen, kidneys, and colon are all detoxifying organs.

The best thing you can do to help your body naturally "cleanse" is to eat a balanced diet with enough fiber. Fiber helps to eliminate waste and cleanse your digestive system.

The vagina is also capable of cleaning itself naturally so you don't need to put anything inside your vagina to clean it out.

Herbal Tampons Can Disrupt the Bacteria in Your Vagina

Womb pearls are similar to douching since they both are inserted into the vagina to "clean" it out. But douching can damage the good bacteria in the vagina so herbal tampons may do the same.

The vagina needs to have a balance of good and bad bacteria. Douching can cause a disruption in that balance. This disruption can make it difficult for the vagina to maintain an acidic environment which provides protection from infection and irritation.

Douching is linked to problems like:

• Bacterial vaginosis
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• STIs
• Vaginal irritation

Another potential danger of these tampons is toxic shock syndrome. Some retailers instruct you to place this product in your vagina for anywhere from 24 hours to three days. However, tampons carry outside bacteria into your vagina and leaving tampons in for more than eight hours can increase your risk of infection.

Using Herbal Tampons Can Harm Your Vaginal Tissue

Some vendors state that their products will cause you to release vaginal skin cells, yeast, blood clots, and mucus. They claim that this is evidence the herbal tampons are "detoxing." But excess discharge is actually a sign of infection or irritation.

Your vagina uses discharge to clean itself, so using these tampons could make it harder for your vagina to fight infections and keep itself healthy.

Herbal Tampons Are Not Proven to Cure Anything

Herbal tampons are being falsely touted as a natural remedy for all sorts of health problems, including:

• Vaginosis
• Fibroids
• Infertility
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Endometriosis

But there is no research on the topic, and herbal products are not used in treatment for these conditions.

In fact, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued advisory letters against retailers who suggest these "womb pearls" can treat endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease. There is no scientific evidence that herbal tampons provide any health benefits.

The Contents Could Be a Mystery

You run a risk when you purchase herbal tampons from an independent retailer online because the packaging might list specific herbs, but you cannot be certain about what's inside.

Some Herbs Can Be Irritating

Some natural products can actually cause more harm than good. Many herbs are irritants and some are even poisonous. If you don't know what herbs are being used, it is more difficult to figure out if they are safe.

If you are sensitive or allergic to any of the components of the tampon, inserting the herbs can be even more harmful than skin contact. Your vaginal tissue absorbs materials easily, so you can have vaginal reactions to even small amounts.

A Quick Review

Avoid using herbal tampons or any "detox" products in your vagina. These are not proven to have any benefits, they can harm your health by making your vagina irritated and more prone to infection, and your vagina is already capable of cleaning itself naturally. If you are having vaginal issues, talk to a healthcare provider.