Tampons: Types, Absorbency Levels, And Toxic Shock Syndrome
The ways through which people manage their periods have undergone quite a transition over the generations. Starting from earlier times when people used simple cotton cloths that were washed and reused to today’s advanced disposable sanitary pads designed with an anti-leak technology. Even menstrual tampons have joined the ‘absorbent’ products a long time ago! For centuries, they have been a handy solution to period woes, evolving with time. According to the book, Everything You Must Know About Tampons (1981):
The oldest printed medical document, papyrus ebers, refers to the use of soft papyrus tampons by Egyptian women in the fifteenth century B.C. Roman women used wool tampons.
Women in ancient Japan made tampons out of paper, bind them with a bandage, and changed them 10 to 12 times a day, the book writes.
After Egyptians, followed the ancient Greeks with tampons made from lint wrapped around a small piece of wood. Tampons were also made from other materials, such as paper, wool, grass, vegetable fibers, cotton, and sponges.
So, we have all been educated about sanitary napkins in general, since a very young age. When it comes to their types, there two basic ones: internal protection and external protection. Internal protection includes tampons or menstrual cups which are inserted into the vagina to absorb menstrual flow before it leaves your body, whereas external protection includes pads and panty liners which are attached to the crotch of underpants to absorb your menstrual flow after it leaves the body. Some choose internal protection instead of the external one, because of the freedom it provides when walking or playing sports. Nowadays, the most common types of internal protection are tampons.
So, tampons are another form of menstrual protection normally made of cotton or a blend of cotton and rayon. The tampon is inserted into the vaginal opening to absorb menstrual flow during your period. The tampon expands within the vaginal walls soaking up the menstrual fluid.
Tampon Types
Applicator Tampons
An applicator tampon is made of two parts; the tampon itself and the applicator that helps you to insert the tampon inside your vagina. There are three types of applicator tampons:
1. Tampons with a cardboard applicator
The simplest and most inexpensive tampon applicator.
2. Tampons with a plastic applicator
This kind of tampons tends to be a little more expensive. They are easier to slide and more comfortable to insert into your vagina.
3. Tampons with an extendable applicator
A not very common compact and discrete kind of tampons that come in a very small package. To use the applicator, you must extend the smaller tube by pulling it out.
Non-applicator tampons
Non-applicator tampons are very similar to applicator tampons, only shorter, a little wider and, you know, without the applicator. They are also called digital tampons. To insert it you only have to push the tampon with your clean fingers inside your vagina.
When it comes to absorbency, there are usually four types of tampons:
1. Light
Lite tampons are very approachable and great for those who are new to the tampon world. These tampons absorb 6 grams of menstrual blood or less. They are appropriate to use at the beginning and the end of your period, or when you have light bleeding.
2. Regular
Regular tampons can absorb from 6 to 9 grams of menstrual blood. They’re all-round types preferred by many women during their periods
3. Super
These tampons hold from 9 to 12 grams of menstrual blood. Usually, they are more used during the first days of menstruation when the blood flow is heavy.
4. Super plus
Super plus absorbency tampons can absorb between 12 to 15 grams of menstrual blood. If you are experiencing heavy bleeding, these types of tampons are the right choice for you.
How To Insert A Tampon?
Make sure to stay relaxed and get comfortable when inserting a tampon. Inserting a tampon usually takes a few tries before being able to comfortably learn the procedure.
Usually, it is recommended to start with a regular tampon as it is the most slender one and the process of inserting it will be easier.
To insert a tampon, follow the steps below:
1. Wash your hands thoroughly with water and soap.
2. Get comfortable and relaxed. You can sit on the toilet with knees apart, stand with one foot on the toilet seat or bathtub, or you can squat down.
3. If your tampon is made of an applicator, hold the applicator plunger with your thumb and middle finger and gently insert the tip of the tampon applicator into your vagina at a 45˚ angle. Now, slide the tapered applicator all the way into your vaginal opening until your fingers touch your body. Make sure the string is facing away from your body, not towards you.
4. Push the plunger into the barrel with your pointer finger. This will release the tampon and insert it inside your vagina. The plunger should now be inside the barrel.
5. Pull out the tampon applicator. The strings should be outside your body.
To learn more about how to put a tampon in, read here.
Toxic Shock Syndrome
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a rare but life-threatening complication of a bacterial infection (Staphylococcus aureus). According to Christina Jahncke, M.D., an obstetrician-gynecologist (OB/GYN) at Meridian Women’s Health at Northwest Outpatient Medical Center, this bacteria can be found in 50% of healthy young adults in the skin and mucous membranes, such as in the vagina.
This condition is often associated with tampon usage in young women. However, the TSS can affect anyone of any age, including men and children who have been exposed to Staph bacteria. So, one of the causes to cause TSS is leaving tampons in for longer than recommended or you use “super-absorbent” tampons.
Symptoms of TSS include high fever, severe muscle aches, vomiting or diarrhea, weakness or dizziness, and a sunburn-like rash.
Preventing TSS
– Always wash your hands before and after putting in a tampon
– Make sure to always use a tampon with the lowest absorbency suitable for your menstrual flow
– Alternate tampons using a sanitary towel or panty liners during your period
– Change tampons regularly (don’t leave a tampon in for more than eight hours)
– Never use more than one tampon at a time
– Before going to sleep, insert a fresh tampon and remove it immediately after you wake up (or you can use pads instead of tampons at night)
– Remove a tampon at the end of your period.
Disclaimer: The contents of this article: text, graphics, images, and other materials contained are strictly for informational purposes only. The Content is NOT intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice, or treatment. Please ALWAYS seek the advice of a qualified health provider with all the questions that you have related to, or about, a medical condition.