Tampons are most often chosen by women who lead an active lifestyle. Indeed, with sanitary pads it is difficult to play sports, swim, it is dangerous to wear light and tight clothes. How to use these products correctly, how to determine the right size and absorbency? Are tampons harmful? After reading the article, you will learn about the features of their application.

What is a modern tampon?

A modern product does not cause any harm to a woman if she is completely healthy. If there is a need for application, then you can use this tool, but you should carefully study the pros and cons.

Is it bad to wear tampons? They are currently:

  1. Small elongated objects made from environmentally friendly materials. The main component of the product is cellulose, which does not cause any harm.
  2. The hygiene product contains an applicator that allows you to quickly remove the tampon to replace it.
  3. The product absorbs liquid and adapts to the anatomical features of the woman's body.
  4. Modern materials do not allow it to accumulate secretions on top of the product.

Tampons have many differences from products that were produced in the last century. However, they have a number of features that must be considered when using.

Common myths

Are tampons harmful? Here are the most common prejudices regarding their use:

  • Tampons are harmful to the body. Some women believe that menstrual blood should flow outside rather than accumulate inside the body. However, the product does its job well and absorbs liquid while in the vagina. Bacteria do not have time to multiply, because the maximum period for using a tampon is 4 hours. Then it is changed to fresh. The occurrence of toxic shock syndrome is possible only in 0.004% of women.
  • The tool is prohibited for use by virgins. However, the hymen is quite stretchable, and during menstruation it becomes even more flexible. The tampon is placed at a shallower depth and does not touch it.
  • The product may fall out of the vagina. When defecating, the product remains in place. The tampon may fall out if the discharge contains a lot of mucus. In such cases, additionally use a sanitary napkin.
  • The tampon can get stuck in the body. All products have a return cord, so that it is removed outside. Girls who constantly use these tools know that some obstacles arise when pulling out. This is due to the fact that when filling the tampon increases in size. Even if the cord breaks, which is unlikely, when the tampon is saturated, it will come out of the vagina on its own.
  • The product is difficult to change outside the home. This will only take 2 minutes. Hands must be washed with soap before the procedure. After removing them, wipe them with a damp cloth. Manipulations are easiest to carry out in the toilet.

Are tampons bad for menstruation? With strict observance of the rules for the use of products, they do not adversely affect the health of a woman.

Types and sizes of tampons

Products are distinguished by the amount of absorbed liquid. Are tampons bad for women? So that they do not have any negative impact on the body, they must be chosen correctly.

Before being released for sale, tampons are tested using an artificial vagina. Products are tested for absorbency using synthetic blood. This indicator is indicated in the form of droplets. Absorption level classification:

  1. 1 drop - the minimum absorption during menstruation of a non-abundant nature.
  2. 2-3 drops. Average absorbency for normal periods.
  3. 4-5 drops. For copious secretions.

When choosing tampons, consider absorbency and size. Mini products are suitable for young and nulliparous girls. For adult women, it is best to use standard tampons, and for mature women and women in labor, use maxi.

Products can be with or without an applicator. A tampon without an applicator has a rigid cylindrical shape with a rounded end. Products with a plastic device are softer, therefore, without them, it will not work to introduce the product into the body.

For the first time, it is best for women to use a tampon with an applicator, because without it, nothing will work. It is easy to enter them, before starting the procedure, you must wash your hands.

Women should be aware that products with applicators increase in length when filled, so the edge of the tampon can put pressure on the entrance to the vagina. It is best to inject deeper. Rigid products that are inserted with a finger expand in width, while remaining unchanged in length.

Application rules

Is it safe to use tampons during your period? Usually, a negative effect on the body is manifested if women do not use products correctly. To prevent this, you must read the instructions for using tampons.

It includes the following items:

  1. It is best to use products in the first days of menstruation. At this time, particularly abundant discharge, so you need a completely reliable protection.
  2. You need to use tampons with varying degrees of absorbency. On days when the discharge is especially abundant, you need to use "Super" or "Super Plus", and on other days "Normal".
  3. Products must be changed every 4 hours. It is not recommended to use tampons at night due to their limited time of use. It is better to use ordinary gaskets.
  4. Tampons must be inserted correctly and with clean hands.

Are tampons harmful? Danger can only arise if used incorrectly. Women should not forget them in the vagina and need to select them taking into account the degree of absorption and size.

Why do you need to change tampons often?

It is not recommended to wear such hygiene products for a long time. This can lead to the following:

  • with abundant discharge, the tampon will simply overflow, and the woman will not notice it;
  • the occurrence of toxic shock with a long stay of the product inside the vagina;
  • the blood released during menstruation is dead, so if it is concentrated in one place, it will lead to a process of putrefaction and decomposition.

If you follow these rules and change the product in time, then there will be no questions about whether tampons are harmful.

Can tampons be used after childbirth?

Experts do not recommend using the product within 6-8 weeks after the birth of a child. This is due to the release of lochia. And the wound resulting at the site of attachment of the placenta is very sensitive to infection. Therefore, until it is completely healed, tampons should not be used.

Products can be used after consultation with a gynecologist.

How to use gynecological tampons?

Such products are most often used to treat: candidiasis, inflammatory processes in the uterus and ovaries, endometriosis, cervical erosion.

Tampons in this case are made from sterile gauze. For the treatment of female diseases, various oils are used, sea buckthorn oil is especially popular. It has antiseptic properties.

Tampons with sea buckthorn oil are used in the treatment of inflammatory processes. The process should take place under the supervision of a specialist and taking into account the individual characteristics of the woman's body.

The main benefits of tampons

When used correctly, products can bring many benefits to a woman:

  • They are compact. The packaging is convenient to carry in your bag, take with you to work and travel. Especially if a woman uses tampons for 2-3 drops, which are the smallest of all types of products.
  • They are hygienic, especially those sold with applicators. Before the introduction of tampons, a woman must wash her hands.
  • Products provide complete protection, even against heavy leaks. If the tampon is full, this can be seen by the thread stained with blood and change it in a timely manner. Therefore, it is best to use a daily pad.
  • The products are easy to use while swimming or playing sports.

Is it harmful to use tampons during menstruation all the time? With all their advantages, there are also negative aspects of their use, so this should be taken into account.

Negative sides

Are tampons bad for menstruation? Products have a high degree of absorbency, which causes drying of the vaginal mucosa. This can cause microcracks and irritation, which will cause an inflammatory process.

The situation is usually complicated by the fact that the secretions cannot go outside and thus create favorable conditions for the reproduction of pathogenic microflora. In combination with microcracks, this contributes to the development of inflammation, and in some cases even erosion of the cervix.

Active reproduction of pathogens causes one of the serious complications - toxic shock syndrome. The causative agents include bacteria of pyogenic streptococcus, Staphylococcus aureus and clostridia.

In a small amount, such pathogens are present in any organism, but it is the use of tampons that increases their growth significantly. This causes severe intoxication and deterioration of the general condition of the body.

Is it safe to use tampons all the time? This can cause toxic shock syndrome, the main symptoms of which are:

  • an increase in body temperature up to 40 degrees;
  • severe pain in the abdomen;
  • diarrhea;
  • nausea and vomiting;
  • drop in blood pressure;
  • convulsions;
  • rashes on the arms and legs;
  • redness of the skin of the external genitalia.

Sometimes the deterioration of a woman's health is caused by the material from which the pads are made.

Is it harmful to use tampons? Of particular danger to the body is dioxin, which whitens tampons made of cotton and viscose. The substance is a carcinogen and has a toxic effect on women's health. With regular use of tampons, this can lead to infertility.

Contraindications

Are tampons bad for menstruation? It is strictly forbidden to use the product in the treatment of gynecological diseases with special ointments and suppositories. When a tampon is inserted, it absorbs the medicine and interferes with the therapy process.

The products are not suitable as a substitute for sanitary napkins. Gynecologists prohibit their use in the following situations:

  1. With inflammation of the genitals and uterus.
  2. Allergic reaction to product components.
  3. In the first months after the birth of a child.
  4. With severe pain in girls who are not sexually active.
  5. Chronic dryness of the vaginal mucosa.

In other cases, a woman can use tampons if this type of protection suits her.

Doctors' opinions

Is it safe to use tampons during your period? Nowadays, you will not surprise anyone with such hygiene products. They are really handy when traveling and travelling.

Gynecologists do not always treat them negatively. If used correctly, they will not be able to harm the body. The main thing is to consider the following:

  • Change the tampon every 3-4 hours, in extreme cases - no later than 6-7 hours.
  • A woman should wash her hands before and after inserting the product into the vagina.
  • At the very beginning of the application, take tampons with an applicator to facilitate the insertion process.
  • It is forbidden to use them at night.
  • If you experience a high temperature or general weakness, consult a doctor.

Women should choose tampons that are ideal for the degree of abundance of discharge.

Conclusion

The use of tampons is a chance to forget about stress during menstruation. Women can safely play sports, swim and lead an active lifestyle. When using them, you just need to follow certain rules and consult a gynecologist before using them.