Tampons are small cardboard or plastic applicators with absorbent material designed to absorb menstrual blood. More discreet than pads, tampons can help minimize leakage and odor by being placed into the body directly and being worn under clothing.
Tampons are constructed with cotton or a cotton-rayon blend and dyed and bleached using chlorine as part of their production.
Absorbency
Tampons are made of cotton and rayon and designed to absorb menstrual blood. Unlike pads which collect discharge as well, tampons have an outer barrel and inner applicator designed specifically to be inserted into the vagina. Tampons come in various sizes with absorbency ratings usually indicated on their packaging.
Menstrual flow intensity may change daily, and using tampons of various absorbencies is one way to customize feminine hygiene products to meet the changing demands of your period. Selecting an absorbency that meets your specific needs may help avoid leaks and discomfort during your period.
Dr. Drake suggests that women looking to extend the use of their tampon should consider switching to one with higher absorbency, and changing it every four to eight hours and washing your hands both before and after inserting it. Left in too long, too many tampons could lead to Toxic Shock Syndrome which is an uncommon but serious condition.
Discomfort
Tampons are discreet and portable; making them an easy solution to managing heavy days or nights of use. Available with different absorbency levels for light to heavy days and many featuring scent to assist with odor control, they should be changed every four to six hours for optimal leakage control and reduced risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), an often life-threatening bacterial infection.
Some tampons feature plastic or cardboard applicators, while others must be manually inserted. Whichever you select, be sure to carefully read and follow its instructions for maximum risk reduction.
Some girls may worry their tampons can get lost inside them, but this is not true. The opening of your cervix is too small to allow tampons to pass through to other parts of your body and displace itself elsewhere. Still, changing tampons on an irregular schedule and not exceeding recommended usage time are still essential. Tampons may be difficult for individuals with limited hand strength or fine motor skills due to arthritis, cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis to insert or remove.
Cleanliness
A tampon is a sterile and individually packaged menstrual product. To maintain hygiene during menstruation and reduce contamination to water sources and landfills, they should remain unopened until ready for use and then properly discarded afterwards. Tampons should never be flushed down toilets as this may cause serious bacterial infections and toxic shock syndrome (TSS), instead discard them in a trash bin as soon as they’ve been used to avoid creating potential health risks to water sources or landfills.
The FDA only approves of tampons made of cotton, rayon or combinations thereof; however, these materials may contain hazardous chemicals such as dioxins and phthalates which have been shown to be harmful in high doses while others such as carbon disulfide and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are yet to be fully comprehended by scientists.
Research has also demonstrated that tampons may contain microplastics and bisphenols that interfere with human hormones – known as endocrine disruptors. Regardless, tampons remain one of the most popular menstruation products on an expanding market that includes reusable period underwear and cups.
Confidence
Tampons can be an incredible boost of confidence for some girls when used correctly. They contain menstrual blood within the vagina, reduce odor and make activities more comfortable – but should always be changed regularly to prevent bacterial growth or toxic shock syndrome, an infection linked to their use that may become life threatening.
Girls can insert a tampon using either their fingers or an applicator made of plastic or cardboard – depending on the type they select – in an easy and non-injuring manner. Tampons come equipped with strings at one end that sit outside of their bodies for removal as well as keeping track of how full they are.
At first, selecting an appropriately-sized tampon for your flow and following its instructions for proper insertion are of utmost importance. Change tampons every four or six hours as directed and regularly wash hands when handling products to avoid infection.
