AKA: Jam rags, menstrual mice, plugs, sanitary protection, tammies, Tampax.
What are they?
They’re like tight rolls of cotton wool. You insert one into your vagina to soak up your period before it leaves your body.
What kind do I need?
The amount of fluid released varies from month to month for all girls and most find they bleed more in the first few days of their period. Tampons come in different levels of absorbency to cope with this.
Most brands range from light to super. If, when you change your tampon, some of the white cotton is still visible or it’s difficult to remove, you should probably be using a lower absorbency.
How do I use them?
Any girl who’s having a period can use tampons.
• Tampons are inserted into the vagina either with a cardboard or plastic applicator (applicator tampons) or using a clean finger (non-applicator tampons). They are removed by gently pulling the removal string, which is woven through the fibres.
• All tampons come with instructions and diagrams showing how to use them: study these carefully first.
• The muscles of your vagina will hold the tampon firmly in place and, if it’s inserted properly, you shouldn’t be able to feel it.
• You can do what you like while you’re wearing a tampon - even swimming.
When do I need to change them?
To reduce the risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) it’s important to use the right absorbency and to change your tampon every four to six hours.
Tampons are disposable, so you only use them once before throwing them away.
It's also a good idea to bin your tampon, rather than flush it - some sewers can't cope and they could end up floating out to sea.
Further help and advice
• youngwomenshealth.org/tampon.html
• womenshealth.about.com
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Pictures posed by models.
