How does tampons look

Tampons are used for menstrual flows to absorb the blood during the days of a period. Much like sanitary pads, they are a blend of rayon and cotton that collect any blood and fluid flowing out of the vagina. The tampon itself — absorbent material — sits inside the plastic or cardboard applicator at the tip near the open end. Once inserted, a cord extends out of the body for easy removal. Tampons can also come without applicators and are inserted using the index finger.

Young girls and teens generally find tampons with applicators easier to use when they begin their period. Tampons come in various shapes and sizes with different levels of absorbency and are designed to hold from six to eight grams of blood.

Depending on your flow, amounts of blood lost may vary and the tampon size you use will change. Inserting a tampon for the first time can be intimidating. Be sure to wash your hands and try to be as relaxed as possible, so as to make it easier to slide in. If you can still feel the tampon, you can pull it out and try re-inserting a new one, pushing it up higher. Change your tampon every four to six hours to avoid leakage and chance of Toxic Shock Syndrome TSS — a potentially fatal bacterial infection.

When removing a tampon, sit over the toilet and carefully grab the string between two fingers, gently pulling out at the same angle you used to insert it. You may not be able to remove it if you are tense, so relax and pull slowly and steadily. Tampon leaks in just a few hours? Go Up; Tampon uncomfortable to change? Go Down. You can compare tampons and their sizes based on your menstrual flow.

Keep reading! Unwrap your tampon and make sure you know how it works! The applicator makes it easy to get the tampon into your vagina. Some are plastic; some are cardboard; both can be used safely! Check out this diagram of a Tampax Pearl tampon to see each component. Find a comfortable position that lets you relax and still reach your vagina. Most people will sit on the toilet or stand while slightly squatting to insert a tampon, but you can also try lying down or propping one foot on a step or other raised surface ex.

Hold the tampon at the grip the smaller part right above the plunger and place the tip of the tampon at your vaginal opening.

Once the tip is in place, aim the tampon toward your lower back, not straight up. Slowly insert the tampon applicator from the tip, all the way to the grip. The string will be the only thing left sticking out of your vagina. You did it! Keep reading to learn how to remove the tampon. If that happens, just use your finger to push the tampon farther in, and that usually fixes it! Your hymen may have a variation that makes it difficult to insert a tampon.

The hymen is a thin and stretchy rim of tissue that surrounds the vaginal opening. Most hymens have a single opening in the middle that a tampon can easily pass through, but some have a very small opening or a septum which is a band of tissue that partially blocks the opening. Most commonly, this condition develops after an injury or traumatic experience that may or may not involve the vagina. Before any tampons can be legally sold in the U. Reusable tampons may carry additional risks of infections such as yeast, fungal, and bacterial infections.

While you may have heard about reusable tampons, the FDA has not cleared or approved these products. The FDA discourages the use of reusable tampons.

Toxic shock syndrome TSS is rare and is caused by a toxic substance that is produced by certain kinds of bacteria. The toxic substance produced by the bacteria can cause organ damage including kidney, heart, and liver failure , shock, and even death.

Rates of reported TSS cases associated with tampons have declined significantly over the years. One reason is that the FDA evaluates whether a tampon enhances the growth of the bacteria that causes TSS before the product can be legally marketed. Only tampons that have been cleared by the FDA can be legally marketed in the U. In addition, more informative tampon labeling, as well as educational efforts by the FDA and manufacturers, may have contributed to the reduction in TSS cases.

For more information on TSS, see the tampon safety tips, below. You may want to talk with your health care provider about whether tampons are right for you. If you use tampons, consider the following:.