Tampons are used to absorb menstrual blood during your period. Inserted internally and expanded as necessary, they soak up all the fluid without touching your sex organs directly.
Tampos come with different absorbency levels, enabling you to find one tailored to your flow. Be sure to change it every 4-8 hours and wash your hands before and after using.
Hygiene
Tampons absorb menstrual flow from the surface of the vagina, reducing risk of irritation and odour. They come in various sizes and absorbencies so you can find one suitable for your flow.
Undergarment pads can help protect clothing from leakage by absorbing any spillage before it seeps into its fabric, which is particularly helpful during heavy periods.
Some women prefer tampons because they can feel more secure while not restricting their activities as much as pads do – this is particularly advantageous if you like sports or are travelling frequently.
Tampons offer many advantages over pads for those with sensitive skin, including no film residue left behind after each use. But if not switched regularly (every 4-8 hours), they may introduce bacteria that lead to TSS, an uncommon but life-threatening infection. Washing hands before and after inserting will lower risk as will using organic or biodegradable materials instead of regular cotton that has been exposed to pesticides.
Odour
Tampons are generally constructed from cellulosic absorbent materials like cotton or rayon and may contain additives to keep sperm out. Tampons were first introduced as contraceptives in European women during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries in order to limit or block access by male sperm into women’s reproductive tracts to fertilize an egg and thus make reproduction impossible.
Tampons can be applied either digitally (using an applicator) or manually, making their presence virtually undetectable when properly applied. Furthermore, they’re lightweight and come in various sizes designed for different flow intensities.
Tampons can cause leakage if not taken off and replaced at regular intervals, and can even irritate the vaginal lining when left in for too long. They can stretch or break hymens – an issue for girls seeking to preserve them as a sign of virginity. Tampon use also increases your risk of toxic shock syndrome caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria which results in low blood pressure and an unpleasant sunburn-like rash on your skin.
Comfort
Women experiencing heavy periods often prefer them as an effective, discreet solution to traditional pads worn over the skin surface. They provide more comfort than pads when inserting directly under clothing.
Tampons provide you with an added advantage: freedom from leaks or discomfort while exercising, swimming or engaging in other physical activities. Many come equipped with an applicator featuring finger ridges for quick insertion.
Tampons come in various sizes to assist with flow management and some come with a rounded shape for more coverage. Some brands even feature additional features like odor control or moisture-wicking technology.
However, it is essential that tampons be changed regularly (much like you would change a pad), as leaving one in for too long could result in TSS (Tampon Sterility Syndrome), an uncommon but potentially life-threatening condition. Furthermore, wearing tampons may stretch or break your hymen and be uncomfortable for some women.
Safety
Tampons can be safely used, but it’s essential that users read and understand labels before beginning use. The FDA has strict regulations in place regarding ingredients used in their production to help mitigate risk for toxic shock syndrome (TSS).
In the 1980s, polyacrylate and super absorbency tampons were associated with higher rates of TSS cases than they are now; the most significant risk factors include not reading directions carefully enough, leaving one on for more than 8 hours, or not changing after having a bowel movement.
In 1945, a German gynecologist invented a digital tampon without an applicator that could be easily inserted using finger or digit, known as onhe binde (German for “without napkins”). This design revolutionized tampon use worldwide by eliminating direct touch between women and their sex organs – as well as providing an environmentally-friendly option since no cardboard or plastic applicators would need to be discarded each month.
