As much as the FDA suggests that tampons are safe and usable, there's still a lot of skepticism about the practicality and usage among the women of our country. We rely more on sanitary pads during menstruation, don't we? Maybe our system hasn't educated us enough about tampons or menstrual cups for that matter. Whatever be the case, if you've made up your mind to use one, here are a few things you'll need to remember before anything else.
1. Use tampons only when the flow is heavy
Tampons are usually made of a blend of rayon or cotton and hence could cause discomfort if there isn't enough moisture. So make sure a tampon is used only when the flow is heavy, may be during the first 2 or 3 days of your period.
2. Change your tampon every four hours
To maintain hygiene and for the very reason that having the same tampon for long hours of time could bring in a vaginal infection, it is advisable to change them every four hours. Similarly, tampons can be avoided during sleep as it might take 8 hours or more to change it the next morning.
3. Read the label carefully
While it's a bold and wise decision to have opted for tampons rather than sanitary pads, it is also important to be well educated about its usage. Understanding this will eliminate half the fear that's fiddling with your mind. Make sure you've read the instructions before placing the tampon; you don't want to end up with a tampon that has slipped away while you are out at work.
4. Dispose it right
Just because tampons are absorbent doesn't mean it could be flushed down the toilet or thrown in the bin without a wrap. Just like your regular pads, tampons need to be wrapped properly in a piece of toilet paper before disposal for hygiene reasons.
Many of us think tampons are a thing of standard sizing. But, in reality, they come in 4 different sizes based on their absorbing abilities. Make sure you choose the right size based on how heavy your flow is.
Fear from stain is an absolute no-no with tampons and this is the main reason why several working women opt them over sanitary napkins. The only time you should probably avoid these is after child birth or when there is any other health concern. Other than that, the advantages are numerous provided you use them right.
