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Why Does Traditional Chinese Medicine Discourage Women From Using Tampons On Their Periods?
Ishita RoyUpdated Aug 15, 2025 | 12:16 PM IST
Sara goes to talk about why Chinese women don't use tampons. The reason is backed by TCM, she says. She says, "In Chinese culture, we emphasize the free flow of blood and qi." 'Qi' in Chinese medicine means the vital energy or the life force.
She then poses a question: "What is supposed to come out naturally, should not be stuffed back up there, right?"
She further explains that as per TCM, tampons block the natural downward flow of menstrual blood, which leads to "stagnation or cramps or other imbalances and in TCM keeping the womb warm is really essential." She also says that it is believed that tampons cause womb and the uterus to be cold, which can lead to some fertility issues, or menstrual pain.
She says while for West, this may not be an acceptable reason to not use a tampon, recent studies have shown that tampons too contain harmful chemicals, fragrances, and microplastics, which makes it harmful for usage.
What Does The Study Say About Tampons And Safety
It is true, in fact, a 2024 study published journal Environmental International, titled Tampons as a source of exposure to metal(loid)s, used very high heat acid to leach heavy metals from tampons. The researchers were testing to see if tampons contained 16heavy metals, including arsenic, copper, lead, and iron.The tampons they tested came from several brands, some were even organic. The result showed that each of the 60 samples contained heavy metals, with 12 of the heavy metals found in every tampon. While it is not known how exactly did these metal end up there, it may be possible that the plant used to make the tampons may have absorbed these metals form the soil or chemicals or pesticides. Another reason could also be during the time of processing.
Another thing which was found was the use of PFAS, sometimes called the "forever chemicals", and stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
The popularity of PFAS makes it difficult to know exactly how they impact health; however, some studies have reported they may be harmful to humans and animals, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
China And Tampons
The Guardian in its Women's Blog, reports: "The question rang everywhere: “You can swim on your period?” Many around me (including myself) had believed that elite female athletes simply adjusted the timing of their period so as to not have to deal with it during major events. Let’s face it, even if it doesn’t affect performance, you hardly want to be “on” when trying to be at your best.
Some users of Weibo (China’s equivalent to Twitter) were genuinely asking how come Fu wasn’t making the pool red."
"Chinese medicine is also hugely influential, too, if only subconsciously, and its basis in non-invasive treatment creates unease around putting a foreign object into the body, for hours at a time. It is also seen as potentially harmful for girls who are still “growing”," noted the Guardian report.
But Is It Safe To Use Tampons?
While it is true that harmful chemicals have been found in tampons, there are safety practices one can follow to help prevent infections while using a tampon. These are:
- Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands before and after inserting a tampon.
- Change your tampon every 4 to 6 hours.
- Only use tampons while you are on your period.
- Cancer patients with low white blood cell counts should consider avoiding tampons to reduce the risk of infection.
