Tampons

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 the blood from your period before it leaves your body.

What kind do I need?

Some girls have heavier periods than others. 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. If you're needing to change every hour, or leaking - step up a level.

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, so it can't snap off.
• All tampons come with instructions and diagrams showing how to use them: study these carefully first.
• The walls 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 with tampons and they could end up floating out to sea.

Tampon myths busted:

Myth: You stop being a virgin when you've used a tampon.
Fact: We are a virgin till we have had sex. And by the way, the gap in the average hymen is wider than the diameter of the average tampon. No harm done.

Myth: They can get lost in side you.
Fact: They can get forgotten, but never ever ever lost. Trust me, there is nowhere for them to wander off to.

Further help and advice

More about tampons
How to insert a tampon

Written by Dr Melissa Sayer

Last updated 17th June 2007

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