Remember the first time you heard about a tampon? The thoughts you had? And a million other questions that came along with it? Well, it's completely normal. Trust me when I say this, you were not alone. Our reactions are totally natural in the society we belong to and the kind of taboo that we have around periods, let alone tampons.
But have you used one yet, or are you still stuck on conventional menstrual hygiene products? If yes, let's take that leap and read about tampons and their dos and don'ts.
History of Tampon
The historical evidence of tampons has been documented as early as the 5th century B.C. in Egyptian medical records. Women used papyrus, lint wrapped around a piece of wood, paper, sponges, grass, paper and many other materials that seem impossible for us to use today. But it was in 1929, Dr. Earle Haas, a physician, invented the tampons that we use today. He was the man to have added the applicator and a string on tampons for easy removal.
Over time tampons have been modified as per the needs of women. They are designed to absorb as per flow. When it comes to Pee Safe tampons, these are categorised as Super Plus, Super and Regular.
Choose The Right Size
Here's how you can safely use tampons and get comfortable with them:
How to use Tampon
If you’re wondering how to use a tampon, these steps might help.
- Remove the colored tear tape and unwrap the bottom half of the covering.
- Carefully unwind the removal cord. While holding the tampon firmly, tug the cord once to ensure that it's securely attached.
- Hold your tampon at the end and remove remaining wrapping.
- Insert the tampon with your finger into vagina and push it with the upper rounded top at an angle as far back as possible.
Things to Remember
- Wash your hands: Never forget to follow basic hygiene. Always wash your hands before and after using a tampon; that will help reduce the spread of any infection.
- Change your tampon after every 4-8 hours: To avoid any vaginal infections, it is recommended to change your tampon in about six hours.
- Insert the Tampon Deep Enough: The only way to know if you have inserted the tampon correctly is when you do not feel it at all. If you don't push it far enough, you will feel uncomfortable. Anytime you feel the tampon is protruding (the chances are meagre), wash your hands and push it back inside.
- Don't Use a Tampon if the Wrapper is Open: We all keep a tampon in our bag in case of emergencies, but the wrapper can break open sometimes, and if that happens, do not use that tampon. As it goes inside your vagina, let's keep it safe from dirt, dust or unknown germs.
- Use a Tampon Only When Your Periods Start: Being prepared is great, but if you are nearing your periods, using a tampon before your flow starts might not be the thing to do. It can flush out the healthy bacteria of the vagina and dry it out, escalating the risk of infection. Instead, you can use panty liners.
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✍️ This article was curated by Smita Bagwadi.
