Back Tampon ALS سدادة قطنية (تامبون) Arabic Tampó Catalan Tampon Czech Tampon CY Tampon German Ταμπόν Greek Tampono EO Tampón higiénico Spanish Tampoon ET
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.[1] Once inserted correctly, a tampon is held in place by the vagina and expands as it soaks up menstrual blood.
As tampons also absorb the vagina's natural lubrication and bacteria in addition to menstrual blood, they can increase the risk of toxic shock syndrome by changing the normal pH of the vagina and increasing the risk of infections from the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus.[1][2] TSS is a rare but life-threatening infection that requires immediate medical attention.[3]
The majority of tampons sold are made of blends of rayon and cotton, along with synthetic fibers.[4] Some tampons are made out of organic cotton. Tampons are available in several absorbency ratings.
Several countries regulate tampons as medical devices. In the United States, they are considered to be a Class II medical device by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).[5] They are sometimes used for hemostasis in surgery.
- ^ a b "Period Products: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly". UT Health Austin. Retrieved 2020-08-04.
- ^ Vostral, Sharra L. (December 2011). "Rely and Toxic Shock Syndrome: A Technological Health Crisis". The Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine. 84 (4): 447–459. ISSN 0044-0086. PMC 3238331. PMID 22180682.
- ^ "Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)". Saint Luke's Health System. Retrieved 2020-08-05.
- ^ Nadia Kounang (13 November 2015). "What's in your pad or tampon?". CNN. Retrieved 2020-07-28.
- ^ "Product Classification". www.accessdata.fda.gov. Retrieved 2020-08-03.