Menstrual Hygiene: Truths and Myths About Tampons

The ladies themselves have long looked at ordinary fabric and cotton-gauze pads, which women used several decades ago, as a relic of the past. But the complete replacement of the usual devices with wings with tampons did not happen. The former are considered safer to use and preferred from a health point of view, while the latter, designed to absorb menstrual flow right inside the body, are still perceived with some apprehension. MedAboutMe will tell you about the truth and myths associated with the use of tampons.

History of tampons and their use in menstrual flow

According to some reports, tampons were known to women as early as the 15th century BC. e. In Egypt, they were made from soft papyrus, in Rome — from wool, and the inhabitants of ancient Japan coped with monthly secretions with the help of paper swabs, which were fixed with a special bandage and changed 10-12 times a day. In its usual form, Tampax tampons appeared in the first half of the last century. I must say that the very name «tampon» did not happen by chance. There was such a word in ancient French as «tampion», which translates as «cork or plug».

Today, such devices for collecting menstrual blood are produced by both large and small manufacturers. They differ little in appearance, but the shape, color, and method of insertion into the vagina can be different. So, applicator tampons are inserted through a special smooth cardboard tube, and non-applicator tampons — with the help of fingers. Modern women can no longer imagine life without tampons. The vast majority use them only on special occasions — when playing sports, when speaking in front of a large audience and in all other situations when you need to look 100% and feel extremely free and relaxed.

Myths and truth about the menstrual cycle, discharge and tampons used for this

Actually, the menstrual cycle itself, the discharge from women has given rise to many rumors and incredible speculation. For example, even today a woman who follows religious rules during menstruation cannot approach icons in the temple, because she is considered unclean. Tampons have become a source of additional «horror stories». For example, there is an opinion that they lead to onanism and promiscuity, and also corrode the vaginal mucosa, as they are saturated with harmful chemicals. Here are the most common myths about tampons:

• the tampon clogs the vagina and interferes with the normal flow of blood;

A tampon is not a cork or a suction cup that has no free spaces. It is made of cotton-viscose, which means that blood can flow through it and go out, which is observed in cases where it is not changed for a long time;

• a tampon can change the menstrual cycle, discharge, provoking an increase in the number of bacteria;

In the early 1980s, information appeared in the press that tampons were responsible for the development of toxic shock syndrome. However, this applied only to those that were designed for very heavy bleeding, as well as situations where the woman left the remedy overnight. To reduce the possible risk of developing this syndrome, the US Food and Drug Administration advises women to alternate tampons and pads during critical days and not use the first before bed. At the same time, it must be said that cases of the formation of the syndrome due to the use of tampons are extremely rare and they mainly concerned products with the addition of sea sponges, which are no longer used in the manufacture of these hygiene products;

• virginity is a contraindication for the use of tampons;

It is believed that tampons can break the hymen, but this is not true. Soaked with secretions, the tampon can reach 1.3 cm in diameter, and the hole in the virgin vagina is 1.5-2 cm in diameter. In addition, the hymen itself is quite elastic, and during critical days it becomes even more elastic. Of course, there are anomalies in the structure of the mucosal fold with a hole, but they occur in no more than 1% of cases;

• tampons affect the duration of the menstrual cycle and discharge;

It is completely incomprehensible how the supporters of this theory connect these two concepts. The menstrual cycle, the volume and duration of discharge depend only on the physiological parameters of the woman, the characteristics of her hormonal system, health status, constitution, weight and other factors. And it doesn’t matter at all for how many hours and on what days she will insert a lump of cotton wool into the vagina;

• a tampon can get stuck in the vagina, or even get lost there;

Most tampons are equipped with a cord to make it easier to remove from the vagina. It is impossible to tear off the lace, because it is not sewn to the edge, but completely stitches the product. But even if it turns out that the rope comes off, with a slight effort of the muscles, the tampon filled with secretions will freely come to the surface by itself.

Advantages and disadvantages of using tampons during menstrual bleeding

The benefits of tampons over pads are obvious. A woman does not feel it at all, which means she feels as easy and free as on ordinary days, when monthly discharge does not spoil her plans for rest or sports. Most gynecologists are of the opinion that it is absolutely safe to use tampons if you follow the instructions on the package and some other rules. In particular, insert a hygiene product only with washed hands, take into account the absorbency of the product, that is, do not insert “normal” tampons with heavy discharge, and vice versa.

You should insert the tampon slowly, gently and not too deep, and remember to change it every 4-6 hours. Do not be afraid that it will lead to masturbation or promiscuity, and will also cause the development of inflammation of the pelvic organs — endometriosis, cervical erosion, etc. This hygiene product is not felt at all in the body, therefore it cannot provoke an orgasm and other pleasant sensations. And endometriosis, erosion and other ailments cause completely different reasons, in no way connected with the type and type of devices designed to absorb menstrual blood.

In any case, a woman can play it safe and alternate during critical days a variety of hygiene products — the usual pads, tampons, a menstrual cup. The last truth does not have a Russian certificate and is not available for free sale, but if you wish, you can buy it abroad and evaluate all the conveniences of using this hygiene product.