Tampons

In one form or another, tampons have been around for thousands of years. It wasn't until the 1920s and 1930s that the first commercial brands appeared with names like Fibs, Fax, and Holly-Pax. Today, the tampon has replaced bulky sanitary napkins as the standard for monthly feminine protection.

How to choose Tampons

Tampons come in different sizes and absorbencies, with or without deodorant, and with or without applicators. The range of brands and product types available ensures that you can find a tampon that fits your personal needs.

Applicators

The traditional tampon works by expanding inside the vagina to absorb blood flow and prevent leaks. Most, like Tampax and Playtex, come with a plastic or cardboard applicator. Non-applicator tampons that are inserted manually, like o.b. brand, also are available.

Tampons sold in the United States are made of cotton, rayon, or a blend of the two. These materials act like a sponge to soak up menstrual flow. Studies have shown that cotton and rayon are equally safe materials.

Absorbency

As required by the Food and Drug Administration, all tampons share an absorbency standard that ranges from junior absorbency to super plus. To lower your risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS), a rare but serious bacterial infection linked to tampon use, select the lowest absorbency to meet your needs. The standard absorbencies are:

Junior absorbency: 6 grams and under
Regular absorbency: light flow, 6—9 grams.
Super absorbency: moderate flow, 9—12 grams.
Super plus absorbency: heavy flow, 12—15 grams.

How to use Tampons

Wash your hands before removing a tampon from its protective covering. Find a comfortable position, either sitting on the toilet with your knees spread apart, standing with one foot raised, or lying on a bed with knees spread apart.
Make sure the tampon's strings are firmly attached.
Insert the tip of the applicator into your vagina, and guide applicator toward your lower back. Ease the applicator into your vagina until it's inserted up to its ring.
When the rings of both sections of the applicator come together, the tampon is inserted. Gently withdraw the applicator.
To remove a tampon, relax and pull on its string at the same angle as you inserted the tampon. Change tampons often during the day.
Be sure to take out one tampon before inserting another.
If a tampon is hard to pull out or shreds when you remove it, switch to a product with lower absorbency.