Women, girls and people who menstruate deserve full transparency about what’s in their period products. This Menstrual Hygiene Day (28 May 2025), Wen is proud to stand alongside PAN UK and the Pesticide Collaboration in exposing a hidden but urgent public health issue: toxic pesticides in period products.
Blood, Sweat and Pesticides Report
Our new research has found that tampons available on UK high streets contain traces of glyphosate – a pesticide and probable carcinogen linked to the development of Parkinsons and other health issues – at levels 40 times higher than the legal limit for drinking water. This should set alarm bells ringing. It is scandalous that pesticides linked to cancer, as well as other toxic chemicals linked to reproductive and hormonal diseases, can show up in period products.
For those of us who menstruate, this is more than just alarming, it’s personal. Tampons are used internally, where chemicals can be absorbed rapidly into the bloodstream, bypassing the body’s detox systems. What’s meant to be a basic product for hygiene could be putting our health at risk.
The report, published in collaboration with PAN UK – Blood, Sweat and Pesticides: a closer look at toxic chemicals in period products – which launches today reveals that, even with a relatively small set of samples, glyphosate was found in tampons in one of the boxes.
The report suggests a handful of recommendations for the UK Government, including the introduction of robust regulation for period products with a testing scheme in place to ensure they are free of pesticide residues and chemical residues. and chemical residues.
read the report
Menstrual Health, Dignity, and Sustainability Act
Period products are not currently subject to the same safety testing or regulation as other consumer products like cosmetics. That needs to change! This is why we at Wen are calling for a Menstrual Health, Dignity, and Sustainability Act in the UK.
This proposed legislation, authored by Wen and supported by over 45 leading experts, charities, academics and product producers, aims to tackle pressing issues related to menstruation, such as the health risks of menstrual products, the lack of education around menstruation, period equity, environmental waste, and the ongoing stigma surrounding menstrual health.
You can read the full Menstrual Health, Dignity, and Sustainability Act and the list of supporters here and sign the pledge to show your support here.
Environmenstrual
At Wen, we’ve long campaigned for transparency, regulation and safe, sustainable alternatives. Our Environmenstrual campaign raises awareness of hidden toxic chemicals and plastic in conventional menstrual products and promotes more sustainable and healthier reusable and organic options.
Our #BreakUpWithToxicPeriods campaign aims to encourage those who are keen to stop using toxic period products, but haven’t yet, to dump them for good. And to give women, girls, and everyone who menstruates the information to be able to choose toxic-free period products that are right for them, better for their health and the planet. Download our free guide to breaking up with toxic period products for good.
What you can do
- Read the full report
- Email Chemicals Minister Emma Hardy to demand action – use the e-action above
- Share this story within your networks and demand action
- Make the switch to organic or reusable products when possible
- Join the Environmenstrual movement
Find out more and take action at https://www.wen.org.uk/our-work/environmenstrual/
