What do the letters on tampons mean?
Like all absorbent materials, they can only hold so much fluid at a time. The letters on tampons reflect these standard absorbencies: L means light, R means regular, and S means super. Loading component ... There are federal standards that govern how much blood each category of tampon holds.
What do tampon absorbencies stand for?
Put simply, those letters represent tampon absorbencies, meaning how much blood a tampon can hold in an eight-hour period without leaking. Understanding what these markings stand for — and how tampon absorbencies affect health — can help women have healthier, safer and more worry-free periods.
What's the difference between the left and right tampon?
Left: the bigger tube ("penetrator"). Center: cotton tampon with attached string. Right: the narrower tube. Tampon design varies between companies and across product lines in order to offer a variety of applicators, materials and absorbencies.
How does a tampon work?
Once inserted correctly a tampon is held in place by the vagina and expands as it soaks up menstrual blood. The majority of tampons sold are made of rayon, or a blend of rayon and cotton.
What does the little R on a tampon mean?
Why is it important to know the right tampon absorbency?
How much blood can a tampon hold?
Do menstrual cups have TSS?
How far do you push a tampon in?
Place the applicator tip into your vagina at a 45˚ angle. Now, gently slide the smooth, tapered applicator all the way into your vagina until your fingers touch your body. Push the tampon inside: push the plunger all the way into the barrel with your pointer finger.
Do tampons hurt if I'm a virgin?
Tampons work just as well for girls who are virgins as they do for girls who have had sex. And even though using a tampon can occasionally cause a girl's hymen to stretch or tear, it does not cause a girl to lose her virginity. (Only having sex can do that.) That way the tampon should slip in easier.
Can you push a tampon too far up?
You can't push it in “too far”. The vagina is a dead end, about 2-4 inches deep, and inside, your cervix is closed and blocks the entrance to your uterus. The only thing is it might be difficult to get out again. That is why the string is best to leave hanging out of your body, for ease of retrieval.
How far up should a tampon go without applicator?
Place your middle finger at the center of the base, then push it as far up into your vagina as your hand allows. Stop pushing when you reach the base of your finger. This should put the tampon in the right place. If your ring finger is longer than your middle finger, use that one instead.
Why can't I insert a tampon?
According to beinggirl.com one of the main reasons for this is Vaginismus; a condition that causes the vagainal muscles to tense up. Basically, if you're worried that putting a tampon in is going to hurt or feel uncomfortable, a signal goes to the muscles at the opening of your vagina and makes those muscles contract.
What are slim tampons?
Regular Tampons. Libra Slim tampons provide great absorbency but in a slimmer format, so they're ideal for smaller bodies. They're tapered at both ends to make insertion and removal as comfortable as ever.
Why does my tampon fill up with urine?
Although a tampon won't block the flow of urine, some pee might get on the tampon string as the pee flows out of your body. Don't worry if this happens. Unless you have a urinary tract infection (UTI), your urine is sterile (bacteria-free). You can't give yourself an infection by peeing on the tampon string.
What is a tampon?
Picture of a tampon. A tampon is a menstrual product designed to absorb blood and vaginal secretions by insertion into the vagina during menstruation. Unlike a pad, it is placed internally, inside of the vaginal canal.
Who invented the tampon?
Earle Haas patented the first modern tampon, Tampax, with the tube-within-a-tube applicator. Gertrude Schulte Tenderich (née Voss) bought the patent rights to her company trademark Tampax and started as a seller, manufacturer, and spokesperson in 1933.
What is a tampon applicator made of?
Tampon applicators may be made of plastic or cardboard, and are similar in design to a syringe. The applicator consists of two tubes, an "outer", or barrel, and "inner", or plunger. The outer tube has a smooth surface to aid insertion and sometimes comes with a rounded end that is petaled.
What are tampons made of?
The majority of tampons sold are made of rayon, or a blend of rayon and cotton, along with synthetic fibers. Some tampons are made out of organic cotton. Tampons are available in several absorbency ratings.
Why do tampons cause infections?
According to the American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (ASBMT), tampons may be responsible for an increased risk of infection due to the erosions it causes in the tissue of the cervix and vagina, leaving the skin prone to infections.
How many tampons do women use?
The average woman may use approximately 11,400 tampons in her lifetime (if using only tampons). Generally, a box of tampons costs can range from $6 to $10 and has 12 to 40 tampons per box. Thus, women could use around 9 boxes a year, leading to a total cost between $54 to $90 a year (around $0.20-$0.40 a tampon).
When were tampons first used?
The oldest printed medical document, Papyrus Ebers, refers to the use of soft papyrus tampons by Egyptian women in the 15th century BCE.
What does the little R on a tampon mean?
They were referring to the little letter, either “L,” “R,” or “S,” in a circle on the wrapper. The results were comical, to say the least. “My girlfriend left a tampon at my apartment ...
Why is it important to know the right tampon absorbency?
Knowing the right absorbency for your menstrual flow is important because using larger than necessary tampons, or leaving tampons in the vagina for too long, can be bad for your health. Inappropriate tampon absorbency is associated with Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), a dangerous and potentially fatal infection.
How much blood can a tampon hold?
Loading component ... There are federal standards that govern how much blood each category of tampon holds. Light tampons can hold up to six grams ...
Do menstrual cups have TSS?
Because menstrual cups are insertive, they still come with some TSS risk , though they do address other issues related to tampons, such as reducing waste. You can choose to forgo tampons altogether and choose non-insertive menstrual products, like pads, sanitary napkins, or period underpants, to limit TSS risk.
