Tampons are absorbent products inserted into the vagina during menstruation. They come in many varieties and have been in use for a long time. Tampons offer freedom for activities that pads cannot, but there are health concerns such as toxic shock syndrome.
A tampon is a product made from highly absorbent materials and is inserted into the vagina during menstruation to absorb blood before it stains underwear or other clothing. Sometimes tampons also refer to other absorbent material placed in wounds to stop bleeding, but this is less common. Tampons have been in use for a long time and now come in many varieties.
Ancient Egypt documented using materials in the vagina during menstruation thousands of years ago, but the modern tampon began in the early 20th century. Two styles of tampons, made from a cotton-like material, began gaining popularity during this period. One was the digital type, which is inserted into the vagina with only the fingers. Applicator versions of the tampon, which American women especially prefer, were developed in the early 1920s. Tampons have competed with other feminine products, such as sanitary towels, and have become more popular for some women.
There are numerous styles of the tampon today and they are marketed aggressively. Women who use this feminine product choose them because they offer the freedom to engage in activities that pads cannot, although alternatives like insertable menstrual cups might offer similar freedom. For example, wearing tampons makes it possible to do things like put on a bathing suit and engage in water activities, which is much more difficult to do with most maxi pads. They are also easy to insert and easy to remove because they have a string that sits on the outside of the vagina that is pulled to get the tampon out. Most tampons are also washable, although this may not be the case if the waste goes into a septic system.
There are generally two types of pad available. Some offer absorption by increasing in length as moisture comes into contact with them. Others expand outward like a parachute. Both types are effective, but they also come in different sizes and the size of the pad needs to be considered. The smaller sizes are generally designed for smaller women and/or low flow days, while the larger sizes may offer more absorption and be more effective during periods when periods are heavier. Some companies sell boxes of tampons in numerous sizes to accommodate days when your flow is heavier and days when your flow is lighter.
Tampons come in many different applicators, depending on the brand. The traditional applicator is a simple cardboard tube, washable and biodegradable. Others may be plastic and designed for more comfortable insertion.
There are health concerns about tampons and the most significant of these is the risk of toxic shock syndrome. This risk is minimal, provided the tampons are not worn for more than six to eight hours. Failure to remove or forget a tampon is okay and adding another risks this very serious disease. Also, tampons are not acceptable for use for other forms of vaginal bleeding, such as postpartum, miscarriage, or abortion. In these cases, inserting anything into the vagina can risk infection.
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