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Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty Publications Obstetrics and Gynecology

2008 Tampons and Menstrual Hygiene Products Shibani Kanungo University of Kentucky

Hatim A. Omar University of Kentucky, [email protected] Right click to open a feedback form in a new tab to let us know how this document benefits oy u.

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Repository Citation Kanungo, Shibani and Omar, Hatim A., "Tampons and Menstrual Hygiene Products" (2008). Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty Publications. 4. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/obgyn_facpub/4

This Contribution to Reference Work is brought to you for free and open access by the Obstetrics and Gynecology at UKnowledge. It has been accepted for inclusion in Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty Publications by an authorized administrator of UKnowledge. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Tampons and Menstrual Hygiene Products

Notes/Citation Information Published in The 5-Minute Obstetrics and Gynecology Consult, Paula J. Adams Hillard (Ed.), p. 322-323.

© 2008 by LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS, a Wolters Kluwer business

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This contribution to reference work is available at UKnowledge: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/obgyn_facpub/4 Shibani Kanungo, MD, MPH Hatim A. Omar, MD

e Different sizes: - FDA guidelines for decreasing the t BASICS - Regular maxis contracting TSS: -Super maxis: Longer than standard pad for extra o Follow package directions for DESCRIPTION protection overnight or for heavy flow days o Choose the lowest ~htampon at least usually starting at any age between the ages of 8 - Ultra-thin maxis: Even thinner than thin ma xis; o Consider alternating pads and 13. may have absorbent gel; useful for lighter-flow o Don't use tampons between • Women usually lose 1-4 Tbs ( < 80 mL) blood during days o Avoid tampon usage normal menstrual period. o Tampons are finger shaped devices used inside th e o Know the warning signs of • A wide variety of menstrual hygiene products are vagina to absorb menstrual flow, are also avai la ble with chills, vomiting, di ava ilable. They are available in 2 major categories: in a wide var iety of sizes, shapes, and bran ds. • Menstrual cup is a barrier, either - Re usable - They are considered as medical devices by the FDA or diaphragm like device, to collect - Disposable and re quire label with absorbency standa rds. -Pros: • Menstrual hygiene products include: -Pros: o Economica l - Menstrual pads o More comfortable than pads, o Can be worn for 12 hours -Tampons o Cosmetically appealing and can be worn during o Enviro nmental ly friendly - Menstrual cup activities such as swimming and gymnastics o Com es in different sizes - Pad ded panties -Cons: -Cons: - Sea sponges o Risk ofTSS o User must wash hands prior to use - Minifarm o Requires changing every 4- 6 hours o Ca n be messy ,, Menstrual pads are used as a protective cover o Can cause irritation/discomfort/dryness o Can leak outside the vagina, to absorb menstrual flow; o Learning curve for insertion and removal can o Needs proper cleaning and storage available in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and cause clogging of sewer if flushed down the o Risk of TSS not well established, as brands. toilet. not widely used • Maxi pads are for heavy days and mini pads or o Incidence of UTis reported in 1 study to be • Pa dded pa nties have washa ble panty liners for light days: significa ntly higher among tampon users than economical, preferred alternative for -With wings: among pad users. synthetic materials used in disposable o Pros: Keeps pads in place -Available with a choice of applicators: - Not frequently used in US o Cons: Can abrade inner thigh o Pla stic • Sea sponges are ancient practi ca l -Without wings o Cardboard absorb menstrual flow - Th ong-shaped o Assembly required -Pros: -Small, medium, larg e, hourglass shapes o None o Cost effective - Tube shape with straight sides - Absorbencies as defined by FDA: o Intravaginal absorbent o Light ::;6 g of fluid • Can be with: o Environmentally friendly o Regular: 6- 9 g of fluid -Deodora nt: o Easy to use o Super: 9-12 g of fluid o Pros: Smells good -Cons: o Super Plus: 12-15 g of fluid o Cons: Can cause local irritation o User needs to wash hands prior to o Ultra: 15- 18 g of fluid - Nondeodorant: o Need to boil prior to use o Pros: Odor indica tes vaginal infection and o Can leak and be messy shouldn't be masked o Risk of TSS not well established, as o Cons: No artificial smell not widely used o Needs proper cleaning and storage

322 TAMPONS AND MENSTRUAL HYGIENE PRODUCTS

smalr pad designed to fit between the BIBLIOGRAPHY • Inability to use tampons: - Anxiety and vaginismus vs. hymenal abnormality Omar HA. et al. Tampon use in young women. J Pediat - A guide to 1st tampon use at Ado/esc Gynecof. 1998; 11 (3): 143-146. http://www.youngwomenshealth.org The Museum of Menstruation and Women 's Health. - Wikihow: http://www.mum. org o How to know when you're ready to star using a The Tampon Safety and Research Act of 1999, H. R. tampon at: http://www.wikihow.com/ 890, U.S.A. U.S. Food and Drug Adm inistra tion. Know-when-You%2 7re-Ready -to-S tart -U si ng-a­ March-April 2000. Tampon o How to use a tampon at: http://www. wikihow.com/Use-a-Ta mpon/ ~ MISCELLANEOUS PREVENTION ABBREVIATIONS • Im perforate hymen sh oul d be noted in delivery room • FDA-U.S. Fo od and Drug Administration or neonata l nu rs ery. • TSS-Toxic Shock Syndrome • Hymenal variants and abnorma lities should be detected by pri mary clinician in prepubertal yea rs. I hyg iene products is a matter of ~ PATIENT TEACHING and many young ado lescen ts use ta mpons even with the 1st • Many girls are interested in using tampon s from the onset of menarche. • Mothers or other family may be concerned about tampons affecting virginity: - Reassurance - Assura nces of norm alcy

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