The reason is not well understood, but there are still many prejudices, often unfounded, around the "tamponade" argument. For example, many sexually inexperienced girls believe - erroneously - that they cannot use tampons before having consumed at least one sexual intercourse, to avoid damaging her own virginity In reality, this assumption is completely unfounded.
Another recurring doubt concerns the correlation between tampons and infections, and again between tampons and toxicity. Not to mention the hesitation in the use of internal pads because they are "difficult to insert".
With this article we try to give an exhaustive answer to the countless questions posed by women about tampons, trying to shed light on the most frequent doubts.
. Generally, young women prefer the applicator variant because it is easier to insert into the vagina.
Sanitary pads with applicator have a very similar design to a syringe: the applicator consists of an external tube ("barrel") and an internal one (plunger), which will facilitate the insertion of the sanitary pad into the vagina.
Quality tampons contain pure cotton wool; others are made up of blends of rayon (transparent fiber obtained from cellulose) and cotton. All tampons are equipped with a hanging cord (which must remain outside the vagina) to facilitate removal; others have an additional external cover to further simplify the removal of the used sanitary napkin.
Each swab is contained in a paper or plastic wrapper to ensure the sterility and safety of the product.
The tampons are available in different "sizes", designed for all phases of the menstrual cycle: the tampons must therefore be chosen based on the "abundance of the flow."
On the packaging of sanitary pads there are generally some drop symbols: a single drop indicates that that tampon is suitable for light flows (last days of the menstrual cycle). For heavy menstrual flows - especially during the first days of your period or for the night - it is advisable to choose tampons that have 3 or more drops on the label.
* It is recommended to use the tampon with 1 degree of absorbency (1 drop) lower than the one that would fully satisfy your needs. The function of tampons is exclusively to absorb menstrual blood: do not use to absorb other vaginal discharge.
Although apparently the same, there are two types of tampons, distinguished according to the mode of absorbency:
- Length expansion. The Tampax is the protagonist of this category: these are tampons widely used by women, which expand in length as they absorb menstrual blood. The Tampax are equipped with a specific applicator.
- Radial expansion. In the "other category of tampons the" O.B. "stands out: absorbing the menstrual flow the tampon expands radially, that is, it increases in diameter without stretching. Sanitary pads in this category do not have an applicator: to insert them, the woman must push the pad into the vagina with a finger.
For further information: What Hymen is, Where is It and Functions during their insertion into the vagina. This statement is questionable: a correct use of the tampon does not cause any pain, so much so that the woman must not perceive its presence in the vaginal canal.
In the case of painful perception during insertion, it is likely that the levator ani muscle is too contracted: the cause of the pain therefore depends on incorrect positioning of the sanitary pad.
Is it possible to feel pain even if the tampon is positioned correctly?
In some women, especially in very young women who have not yet had intercourse, persistent pain when inserting the tampon - even if positioned correctly - is a warning that should be alarming: in this case, it is likely that the woman may suffer in the future from dyspareunia (painful intercourse).
Before starting to use internal tampons, we recommend the opinion of an expert: it is the task of the gynecologist, in fact, to instruct the woman on the correct insertion of the internal tampon.
Continue reading: Internal sanitary napkins How to use, Advantages, Disadvantages »
