Are you still worrying about not being able to swim during period? Good news here! Now with the aid of tampons, you can possibly jump into the swimming without worrying about leaving a trail of blood in the water. This is a basic introduction about tampons and how to use them.
Tampons are tiny cotton cylinders that can absorb menstrual flow. They have various absorbing levels for light to heavy periods. Unlike pads, which are attached to the underwears, tampons are inserted internally in the virgina. Some tampons have an applicator that helps you to put in, while some do not. They all have a string that enables you to pull them out.
Tampons are regulated as medical devices in the U.S. by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Before any tampons can be legally sold in the U.S, they must pass the FDA’s check. FDA-cleared tampons today are made with a bleaching process that is free of chlorine, which are dangerous for the human body.
There may be some tampons tagged as “reusable” in the market. Be aware that these tampons are NOT cleared or approved by the FDA. The only products approved by the FDA are single-used tampons. Reusable tampons may increase the risk of bacteria infection, which may lead to toxic shock syndrome (TSS). It is a rare but severe disease, which can lead to organ damage and even death.
Here are some tips of using tampons safely:
-
Follow all labeled instructions.
-
Wash your hands before and after using a tampon.
-
Change each tampon every 4 to 8 hours.
-
Use the lowest absorbency tampon needed.
-
Contact your health care provider if you have pain, fever or other unusual symptoms.
-
Know the signs of toxic shock syndrome (TSS) and how to reduce the risk.
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/tampons-vs-pads#tampons
https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/facts-tampons-and-how-use-them-safely
https://tampax.com/en-us/period-health/can-you-swim-on-your-period/