Tampons provide a simple and practical way to manage your period. Available in different sizes or absorbency strengths to fit the flow, these products also include plastic or cardboard applicators for easier insertion.
Change your tampon every 4-8 hours, reading its label carefully each time. Do not leave it in for more than 12 hours as that could result in toxic shock syndrome (TSS). Never reuse a tampon!
Absorbency
Tampons are cylindrical units made of absorbent material designed to collect menstrual blood and vaginal secretions during menstruation and vaginal discharge. Available in various sizes and absorbencies, tampons can be found anywhere sanitary protection products are sold and are easily inserted into the vagina and expanded as they absorb menstrual blood.
A tampon features an attached string to make insertion easier, and its absorbency depends on how heavy a person’s menstrual flow is. People can choose among junior, light, regular, super and super plus absorbencies for their needs. Most tampons come with plastic or cardboard applicators to ease use but some prefer non-applicator models instead.
Some tampons contain trace amounts of metals that may be absorbed by the vaginal wall and lead to toxic shock syndrome (TSS), an illness with symptoms including vomiting, high fever, diarrhea and muscle aches. To protect yourself against TSS it’s essential that tampons are changed every 4-8 hours with low absorbency settings and worn at all times.
Discreetness
Tampons are a good way for women who don’t wish to show public signs of their period, while still feeling comfortable during use. Tampons tend to be less restrictive than pads, which may cause discomfort; and are easier to insert and remove as well. Unfortunately, though tampon use may stretch or break your hymen and is therefore not recommended for nonsexually active individuals.
Some women attempt to conceal tampons by placing them under their shirt sleeves or bra straps; others take an indirect approach by stashing tampons into their purses before entering the bathroom.
Tampons are generally constructed with absorbent cellulose material wrapped in plastic or cardboard with an applicator and cotton, polyethylene, or viscose string for extraction. Some brands may be scented while others contain perfume; these tampons may also contain mold and yeast growth and bacteria such as Vulvovaginal Candidasis; so women using them should be aware of potential risks and seek medical help should symptoms arise.
Safety
Although convenient, tampons contain toxic metals such as cadmium, arsenic and lead which may pose health risks to users. Toxic metals have the ability to damage nervous and endocrine systems as well as increase cancer risks while impacting fetal development negatively. Although toxic metals pose health concerns when used regularly in tampons they are generally considered safe by regulatory agencies for use; most are composed of cotton-rayon blends or viscose fibre (derived from agricultural products). These devices also include plastic or cardboard applicators which is wrapped around its entirety for easy application and removal from use.
While these metals may only appear at low concentrations in tampons, over time their levels can accumulate in your body and increase cancer risks. Furthermore, certain brands contain dioxins as byproducts from bleaching cotton and wood pulp pulp bleaching processes – the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics notes that dioxins have been known to disrupt endocrine systems and increase cancer risks.
Cost
Tampons are an increasingly popular way of managing menstrual flow during periods. Being small and discrete makes tampons easy to carry in your purse or pocket; their various absorbencies provide solutions for either heavy or light periods. Some tampons even come equipped with an applicator – ideal if there is concern regarding plastic waste being produced or someone preferring not having anything invading their vagina region.
Over recent years, inflation and supply chain issues have driven up tampon costs significantly, prompting some women to opt for non-disposable alternatives, like reusable menstrual cups or underwear as well as lower costs – leading to period poverty – as a result.
