Wait a second . . . toxic chemicals in my tampons? Ah, menstruation, that monthly ritual often marred by discomfort, inconvenience and most fun of all— mood swings! For most women, once they find the menstrual products that meet their needs, they stick with them for a lifetime without giving them any further thought.

Unfortunately, there is more to tampons than one might expect. Women’s Voices for the Earth (http://www.womensvoices.org/), a national women’s health non-profit, has been delving into the world of tampons and other feminine care products to better understand what they are made of, what toxic chemicals they may contain, and how they might be impacting our health.