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Tampon

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For the commune of Réunion, see Le Tampon.
A diagram of a tampon in the vagina
A tampon with applicator
The elements of a tampon with applicator. Left: the bigger tube ("penetrator"). Center: cotton tampon with attached string. Right: the narrower tube.
Digital tampon (tampon sold without applicator). (The ruler shown is in cm)

A tampon is a plug of cotton or other absorbent material inserted into a body cavity or wound to absorb fluid. The most common type in daily use (and the topic of the remainder of this article) is a usually disposable plug that is designed to be inserted into a woman's vagina during menstruation to absorb the flow of blood. The use of these devices has occasionally caused serious health related issues, such as infection and even death in rare cases (see Toxic shock syndrome). In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates tampons as medical devices.

History

There is evidence which suggests that women have been using tampons made of various materials for thousands of years. The tampon with an applicator and string was invented in 1929 and submitted for patent in 1931 by Dr. Earle Haas, an American from Denver, Colorado. Tampons based on Dr. Haas' design were first sold in the U.S. in 1936.

Design and packaging

Tampons come in various sizes, which are related to their absorbency ratings and packaging.

The shape of all tampons is basically the same; cylindrical. Tampons sold in the United States are made of cotton, rayon, or a blend of the two. Tampons are sold individually wrapped to keep them clean, although they are not sterile. They have a string for ease of removal, and may be packaged inside an applicator to aid insertion.

Tampon applicators may be made of plastic or cardboard, and are similar in design to a syringe. The applicator consists of a bigger tube and a narrower tube. The bigger tube has a smooth surface and a round end for easier insertion. Some applicators have a star shape opening at the round end, others are open ended. The tampon itself rests inside the bigger tube, near the open end. The narrower tube is nested inside the other end of the bigger tube. The open end of the bigger tube is placed and held in the vagina, then the narrower tube is pushed into the bigger tube (typically using a finger) pushing the tampon through and into the vagina. If not inserted at a 45 degree angle it can cause discomfort and make removal difficult.

Digital tampons are tampons sold without applicators; these are simply unwrapped and pushed into the vagina with the fingers (digits).

It is normally not necessary to remove a tampon before urinating or having a bowel movement.

Absorbency ratings

2 water drop marks mean that the absorbency is between 6 to 9 grams.

Tampons come in several different absorbency ratings, which are consistent across manufacturers in the U.S.:

  • Junior(or light) absorbency: 6 grams and under
  • Regular absorbency: 6 to 9 grams
  • Super absorbency: 9 to 12 grams
  • Super plus absorbency: 12 to 15 grams
  • Ultra absorbency: 15 to 18 grams

Toxic shock syndrome

Main article: toxic shock syndrome

Tampons have been shown to have a connection to toxic shock syndrome (TSS), a rare but sometimes fatal disease caused by bacterial infection. The U.S. FDA suggests the following guidelines for decreasing the risk of contracting TSS when using tampons:

  • Follow package directions for insertion
  • Choose the lowest absorbency for your flow
  • Change your tampon at least every 4 to 8 hours
  • Consider alternating pads with tampons
  • Avoid tampon usage overnight when sleeping
  • Know the warning signs of toxic shock syndrome
  • Don't use tampons between periods

Following these guidelines can help to protect a woman from TSS, and cases of tampon connected TSS are extremely rare in the United States.

Other health concerns

Many chemicals are present in tampons, including pesticides used on the cotton and chlorine used to bleach the tampons. Some of the chemicals used to bleach tampons have been implicated in the formation of dioxin. A study by the FDA done in 1995 says there are not significant amounts of dioxin to pose a health risk; the amount detected ranged from undetectable to 1 part in 3 trillion, which is far less than the normal exposure to dioxin in everyday life.[1] However, the presence of dioxin in a product that enters a major body orifice, where there is more risk of absorption, caused a great deal of concern. Nevertheless, manufacturers insist that bleaching is needed to produce effective products, despite tampons not using bleaching or chemical treatment being available.

Another concern is related to the use of rayon in tampons. Since the FDA does not regulate tampons, manufacturers can put indiscriminate amounts of rayon in tampons without having to list the percentage. Rayon consists of tiny strings of plastic. These strands of plastic can cause microtears on the vaginal wall when inserted and taking out. This leaves the vagina more open to infection.

Although some say that 100% cotton tampons may be safer than using tampons with a cotton and rayon mix because of there being less dioxin, there is still a risk with all-cotton tampons. All-cotton tampons are generally harder to find and usually cost more than generic tampon brands. Some researchers claim that although switching to a 100% cotton alternative reduces the risk of TSS, it does not remove it entirely. We are also exposed to dioxins in other ways, so eliminating dioxin in tampons will not mean there will be no contact with dioxin in the environment.

Fiber loss along with damage done to the vaginal tissue from fiber has also been a concern, but fiber loss is more likely with all-cotton tampons. Furthermore, as tampons are absorbent and placed within an area such as the vagina this significantly increases risk of bacterial infections.

Alternative choices

Some women choose not to use tampons. Several alternate ways of absorbing menstrual fluids are available. Women in developing countries are less likely to have these choices (including tampons) available.

Some women may choose not to use tampons because they fear damaging their hymen, regarded as a proof of virginity. In some cultures, the use of tampons by virgins is discouraged because of this.

Disposable

Reusable

  • Menstrual cup made of silicone, or gum rubber. Non diaphragm. (Examples include the DivaCup and The Keeper/Moon Cup).
  • diaphragm as menstrual cup
  • cloth menstrual pads
  • homemade menstrual pads
  • homemade tampons
  • Free-flow (layering [using layers of clothing to avoid obvious leaking] or instinctive [learning to recognize when you will bleed])
  • padded panties/period pants/Lunapanties
  • sea sponges (used like tampons)
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tampon.

References

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