There are different ways to deal with the menstrual cycle, the most famous of which is tampons, but many women do not know what these tampons are, how to use them, and what is the difference between them and the usual sanitary pads, so learn with us from the following article about the most important things you should know about tampons and how to use them And other important and useful information.

What are tampons?

Tampons are a means of absorbing menstrual blood, and they are made of absorbent material similar to sanitary pads, and are in the form of a small tube and are inserted into the vagina by fingers or by using a specific tool in which the tampon is placed.

Tampons usually contain a thread attached to one of the directions, and this thread is left outside the body, so that it can be used to pull the plug out when it is time to change it.

How to use a tampon

Tampons come in different sizes, and the size refers to the strength of absorption. There is a type for a light period, a type for a regular period, and a type for a heavy period. Some types of tampons come with what looks like a tool, which is a small stick made of cardboard or plastic, that helps insert the tampon into the vagina, and some types do not come with this tool.

The method of using tampons includes the following steps:

• Wash your hands well, then sit in a comfortable position. You can try squatting, raising one leg up, or sitting on the toilet, keeping your knees apart.
• Push the stopper in using the aforementioned tool or using your fingers, depending on the type used.
• A little lubricant can be applied to the edge of the stopper or tool to make it easier to enter.
• Dispose of the tool and wrapping paper after you are done in the trash, and they should not be flushed in the toilet.
• The tampon should be changed every 4 or 8 hours, and it should not be left inside the vagina for more than 8 hours or left during the night without changing it. It can be changed before bedtime and then changed again when waking up.
• As mentioned earlier, there is a thread on one end of the tampon that hangs outside the vagina. This thread is pulled gently when changing the tampon. It is preferable to pull the tampon out when it is wet and full of menstrual blood.
• Wrap the stopper in a tissue, and dispose of it in the trash, and it is not recommended to flush it down the toilet.

Is using tampons painful?

Tampons usually do not cause any pain when placed correctly, and different positions can be tried until you feel comfortable, and the feeling of comfort increases more if the tampon is placed in the appropriate position, and it may require several times at first until it is mastered.

Can a tampon get stuck inside the vagina?

A tampon cannot get caught or lost inside the vagina or slip into the uterus, as the cervical opening between the uterus and the vagina only allows menstruation to pass, but is not large enough to allow anything else like a tampon to pass through.

Dangers and harms of tampons

It is extremely important to change the tampon every 4 or 6 hours, and it should not be left inside the body for more than 8 hours or left in overnight, as leaving it increases the risk of developing a serious health condition known as toxic shock syndrome, which is an acute problem that occurs As a result of some types of infections or bacterial infections, and cause the following symptoms:

• high fever
• vomiting.
• diarrhea.
• severe muscle pain;
• Extreme fatigue and weakness.
• severe dizziness
• A rash that looks like a sunburn.

If any of the aforementioned symptoms appear, you should go to the nearest hospital immediately. Other potential downsides and harms to using tampons include:

• Feeling uncomfortable sometimes, especially if they are used for the first time.
• Not finding the right type and size, which may cause leakage.
• Tampons can sometimes irritate and dry the vagina, and make it itchy.

Is it possible to urinate with a tampon?

Most of the available data indicates that it is possible to urinate with a tampon inside the vagina, as the tampon is inside the vagina, while the urine is released through a small opening near the top of the vagina, known as the urethra, and the tampon does not block the urethra.

Can tampons be reused?

There are some types of tampons that are made of different materials, so that they can be used again, but according to the FDA, this type can increase the risk of infections and infections, such as fungal or bacterial infections. Also, these types have not been approved by the FDA, and the only type authorized to be used safely is the type that is used only once.

Tampon and swimming

It is possible to swim with the presence of a tampon, but it is recommended that the tampon be changed immediately after swimming, even if you do not stay in the pool for a long time, as the tampon absorbs water from the pool, which makes it less effective in absorbing menstrual blood, and this can sometimes cause In the occurrence of infection or bacterial inflammation inside the vagina.