Tampons offer an alternative and discreet method of protection, enabling women to remain more active and confident during their period.
Tampons can help prevent leakage if they’re changed every 4-6 hours and chosen according to your flow’s absorbency type. They have low risk of TSS (toxic shock syndrome), although some women find insertion uncomfortable.
Absorbency
A tampon is designed to absorb menstrual blood and divert it away from the uterus. Typically made from cotton or rayon with absorbent materials like sodium polyacrylate or cellulose inside for maximum absorption, and often including an applicator if possible; young girls and teens typically prefer those equipped with applicators when starting their period for ease of insertion.
Tampons are medical devices in many countries. In the US, they fall under FDA Class II device regulations while in the UK they’re overseen by Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.
A tampon should be changed every 4-8 hours in order to reduce the risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS). Furthermore, it’s essential that it is used according to its instructions; for instance, before swimming or showering for greater comfort and infection protection or following any accident or leaks immediately replace tampons immediately with fresh ones.
Applicator
A tampon is an absorbent period product designed for use within the vaginal canal. It consists of an absorbent core made of cotton or rayon, attached by string for ease of insertion. Some versions come packaged in cardboard or plastic applicators for convenience.
First step of using a tampon: make yourself comfortable. Sit comfortably on the toilet seat and take several deep breaths to relax before using toilet paper to cover its seat and avoid leaks.
Next, grip the grip of the tampon with your thumb and middle finger before inserting at a 45-degree angle until its fingers reach your vulva. Push inner tube until it meets with outer tube before using pointer finger to press plunger release tampon – this process may require practice to master so don’t give up easily! Attempts at inserting without an applicator may fail initially but don’t be disheartened!
Packaging
tampons are small, soft spongy discs designed to absorb menstrual blood and protect the vagina from harmful bacteria that could potentially cause bacterial vaginosis. Tampons can be worn up to eight hours at a time with its string kept taut as it stays securely inserted.
Tampons are typically sold in paper packages that feature an odorless and non-toxic lubricant; additionally, most will feature a protective film over them to maintain hygiene; however, this packaging method allows for air and moisture infiltration into the product.
Most tampons are constructed from cellulosic absorbent materials like cotton or rayon. While in the past some were bleached using chlorine bleaching processes, nowadays most sold in the US use elemental chlorine free processes that decrease risk of dioxin contamination. Some are made with organic cotton fabric while some are designed to encourage healthy vaginal microflora growth.
Safety
Tampons provide a safe way of managing your period. FDA regulates them as medical devices and are typically made from absorbent cotton or rayon (a semisynthetic fibre derived from agricultural products), with overwraps, removal cords, and sewing threads typically bleached through chlorine processing.
The FDA’s tampon safety assessment system evaluates four aspects of product:
Recent assays utilizing both the Parsonnet and Schlievert shake flask methods for testing TSST-1 toxin production by Tampax tampons have consistently revealed that they do not promote S. aureus growth and TSST-1 toxin production (Table 3B).
Researchers suggest further investigation to ascertain whether these metals seep through to humans through tampon use, but do not advise panicking due to this first-of-its-kind study’s findings. They further note that levels of heavy metals found in tampons were very low while more lead has been detected in fruits, vegetables and even tap water than found in any tampon sample tested by this team of scientists.
