# Dopers of Femaleness: Verdict on Talcum Powder? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 3, 2017, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-of-femaleness-verdict-on-talcum-powder/785777 "2017-05-03T14:41:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jennshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Jennshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennshark)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-of-femaleness-verdict-on-talcum-powder/785777/1 "2017-05-03T14:41:37Z")
Is the Great Talcum Powder Panic of 2016 resolved either way? Being well-endowed in the breastage department, I love(d) using Pinaud’s Clubman Talc under the girls to prevent bra chafing and the dreaded boob sweat. Once in a while I do a light talcing of the VJJ-area thigh parts, but I use it mainly for bosom crease. So what’s the latest on “We’re all gonna die from talc usage!!!” research? Is it safe to venture back into cool dryness, or is it still death in a can? FYI: this is the old school talc I use: [http://www.clubmanonline.com/pinaud-clubman-talc-9-oz.html](http://www.clubmanonline.com/pinaud-clubman-talc-9-oz.html) ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-of-femaleness-verdict-on-talcum-powder/785777/2 "2017-05-03T15:02:49Z")
The American Cancer Society says that research is mixed on the topic but also states that: > [@](#): > > Based on limited evidence from human studies of a link to ovarian cancer, IARC classifies the perineal (genital) use of talc-based body powder as “possibly carcinogenic to humans.” [Cite](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/talcum-powder-and-cancer.html) It sounds like an area that is being more fully researched. It might be best to avoid talc-based powders for a while longer, until a clearer determination is made. ---
**Author:** ![Jennshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Jennshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennshark)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-of-femaleness-verdict-on-talcum-powder/785777/3 "2017-05-03T16:13:22Z")
> [@Sunny\_Daze](#): > > The American Cancer Society says that research is mixed on the topic but also states that: > > [Cite](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/talcum-powder-and-cancer.html) > > It sounds like an area that is being more fully researched. It might be best to avoid talc-based powders for a while longer, until a clearer determination is made. Hi Sunny: thanks for the response and link. I guess under-boob talc application will be on hold for a while (damn you up-and-coming humid summer!) 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-of-femaleness-verdict-on-talcum-powder/785777/4 "2017-05-03T16:16:05Z")
May I introduce you to our lady-friendly friends at [Vagasil](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Vagisil-Talc-Free-Deodorant-Powder-With-Odor-Blocking-Protection-7-oz/10317903#about-item)or [Monistat](https://www.walmart.com/ip/MONISTAT-Chafing-Relief-Powder-Gel-Skin-Protectant-1.5-oz/21312111)? ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-of-femaleness-verdict-on-talcum-powder/785777/5 "2017-05-03T16:49:59Z")
> [@Jennshark](#): > > Hi Sunny: thanks for the response and link. I guess under-boob talc application will be on hold for a while (damn you up-and-coming humid summer!) 🆒 Well, given this: “perineal (genital) use of talc-based body powder as “possibly carcinogenic to humans.”” you should be fine for occasional boobinal usage unless you’re a great deal more limber than I am :D. I keep some around; I may use it twice a year and never directly on the girly bits. I figure something else will kill me long before the talk does. ---
**Author:** ![Jennshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Jennshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennshark)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-of-femaleness-verdict-on-talcum-powder/785777/6 "2017-05-03T17:02:17Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > May I introduce you to our lady-friendly friends at [Vagasil](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Vagisil-Talc-Free-Deodorant-Powder-With-Odor-Blocking-Protection-7-oz/10317903#about-item)or [Monistat](https://www.walmart.com/ip/MONISTAT-Chafing-Relief-Powder-Gel-Skin-Protectant-1.5-oz/21312111)? Yes, these are truly our girly-friends; fortunately, I don’t have to be a frequent user of these products 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Jennshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Jennshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennshark)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-of-femaleness-verdict-on-talcum-powder/785777/7 "2017-05-03T17:03:51Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > Well, given this: “perineal (genital) use of talc-based body powder as “possibly carcinogenic to humans.”” you should be fine for occasional boobinal usage unless you’re a great deal more limber than I am :D. > > I keep some around; I may use it twice a year and never directly on the girly bits. I figure something else will kill me long before the talk does. Yeah, there are many, many more things I’ll probably die of before boobinal talc migrates to the vajayjay parts . . . ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-of-femaleness-verdict-on-talcum-powder/785777/8 "2017-05-03T17:06:41Z")
My first indication that anybody used talcum powder in one’s intimate parts without being on diapers was the Great Talcum Panic of 2016, as related in these boards. I associate it with babies, old folk and jai alai players (who use it on their hands, not their intimate bits). ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-of-femaleness-verdict-on-talcum-powder/785777/9 "2017-05-03T17:10:23Z")
Try Glide or another product made for bicyclists. It’s a cream. Made for Sensitive Areas. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-of-femaleness-verdict-on-talcum-powder/785777/10 "2017-05-03T17:46:03Z")
> [@Jennshark](#): > > Yes, these are truly our girly-friends; fortunately, I don’t have to be a frequent user of these products 😃 The two products I linked to are not products specific to “down there” - they are specific to your stated problem. They can both be used “up stairs” and wherever you need chafing and/or drying help. One is a talc-free powder and the other a powder gel. I trust them to be lady-friendly as they are products made by lady-friendly companies. ---
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-of-femaleness-verdict-on-talcum-powder/785777/11 "2017-05-03T18:53:46Z")
Use a talc-free powder. Many of them are cornstarch-based. ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-of-femaleness-verdict-on-talcum-powder/785777/12 "2017-05-03T19:31:22Z")
> [@psychobunny](#): > > Use a talc-free powder. Many of them are cornstarch-based. Why not simply use fine corn starch? ---
**Author:** ![AngelSoft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/angelsoft/32/440_2.png) [@AngelSoft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AngelSoft)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-of-femaleness-verdict-on-talcum-powder/785777/13 "2017-05-03T21:13:59Z")
I actually have become a big fan of spray on deodorants. I just it for all the parts of me that might get too sweaty and it works great! Maybe give it a try? ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-of-femaleness-verdict-on-talcum-powder/785777/14 "2017-05-03T22:48:44Z")
I didn’t even hear about Great Talcum Powder Panic of 2016. But I am kind of wondering what brought it up in 2016 - I remember reading books that recommended cornstarch powder instead of talk when my 27 year old daughter was a baby - and I’m pretty sure that even back then it was about the ladyparts. ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-of-femaleness-verdict-on-talcum-powder/785777/15 "2017-05-03T23:18:36Z")
> [@doreen](#): > > I didn’t even hear about Great Talcum Powder Panic of 2016. But I am kind of wondering what brought it up in 2016 - I remember reading books that recommended cornstarch powder instead of talk when my 27 year old daughter was a baby - and I’m pretty sure that even back then it was about the ladyparts. [Talc may lead to ovarian cancer.](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/toby-nwazor/the-talcum-powder-lawsuit_1_b_10609474.html) Johnson & Johnson knew of and concealed the association for over 40 years. ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-of-femaleness-verdict-on-talcum-powder/785777/16 "2017-05-03T23:58:05Z")
I remember hearing about the [supposed?] dangers of using talc-based powders on babies when I was a kid – in the late '80s. I’ve always used a cornstarch-based powder for my powdering needs. Most of these contain ingredients other than cornstarch – such as some type of clay, or some powdered herbal/plant stuff – I’m guessing to improve the texture of the powder and prevent clumping. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2017, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-of-femaleness-verdict-on-talcum-powder/785777/17 "2017-05-04T01:38:31Z")
> [@Nawth\_Chucka](#): > > [Talc may lead to ovarian cancer.](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/toby-nwazor/the-talcum-powder-lawsuit_1_b_10609474.html) Johnson & Johnson knew of and concealed the association for over 40 years. I’m pretty sure that was what I was seeing around 1989 - but I somehow hadn’t heard about the verdict in 2016.