| Revision as of 03:24, 14 December 2003 editThalia (talk | contribs)87 editsNo edit summary← Previous edit | Revision as of 03:26, 14 December 2003 edit undoThalia (talk | contribs)87 editsNo edit summaryNext edit → | ||
| Line 7: | Line 7: | ||
| ==Design and packaging== | ==Design and packaging== | ||
| Tampons come in various sizes, which are related to their absorbency ratings and packaging. The shape of all tampons is basically the same; cylindrical. Tampons sold in the United States are made of ], rayon, or a blend of the two. Tampons are sold individually wrapped to keep them clean, although they are not sterile. They have a string for ease of removal, and may be packaged inside an applicator to aid insertion. | Tampons come in various sizes, which are related to their absorbency ratings and packaging. The shape of all tampons is basically the same; cylindrical. Tampons sold in the United States are made of ], ], or a blend of the two. Tampons are sold individually wrapped to keep them clean, although they are not sterile. They have a string for ease of removal, and may be packaged inside an applicator to aid insertion. | ||
| Tampon applicators may be made of plastic or cardboard, and are similar in design to a syringe. The tampon rests inside a hollow tube, which has a narrower tube nested inside one end of it. The open end of the applicator is placed and held in the vagina, then the woman presses the narrower tube in with her fingers. The narrow tube slides into the wider tube, pushing the tampon through and into the vagina. | Tampon applicators may be made of ] or ], and are similar in design to a ]. The tampon rests inside a hollow tube, which has a narrower tube nested inside one end of it. The open end of the applicator is placed and held in the vagina, then the woman presses the narrower tube in with her fingers. The narrow tube slides into the wider tube, pushing the tampon through and into the vagina. | ||
| Tampons are also sold without applicators; these are simply unwrapped and pushed into the vagina with the fingers. | Tampons are also sold without applicators; these are simply unwrapped and pushed into the vagina with the fingers. | ||
Revision as of 03:26, 14 December 2003
A tampon is a disposable plug that a woman inserts into her vagina during her menstrual period to absorb the flow of blood. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States regulates tampons as medical devices. In the United Kingdom they count as luxuries and hence have VAT.
History
There is evidence which suggests that women have been using tampons made of various materials for thousands of years. The tampon with an applicator and string was invented in 1929 and submitted for patent in 1931 by Dr. Earle Haas, an American from Denver, Colorado. Tampons based on Dr. Haas' design were first sold in the U.S. in 1936.
Design and packaging
Tampons come in various sizes, which are related to their absorbency ratings and packaging. The shape of all tampons is basically the same; cylindrical. Tampons sold in the United States are made of cotton, rayon, or a blend of the two. Tampons are sold individually wrapped to keep them clean, although they are not sterile. They have a string for ease of removal, and may be packaged inside an applicator to aid insertion.
Tampon applicators may be made of plastic or cardboard, and are similar in design to a syringe. The tampon rests inside a hollow tube, which has a narrower tube nested inside one end of it. The open end of the applicator is placed and held in the vagina, then the woman presses the narrower tube in with her fingers. The narrow tube slides into the wider tube, pushing the tampon through and into the vagina.
Tampons are also sold without applicators; these are simply unwrapped and pushed into the vagina with the fingers.
Absorbency ratings
Tampons come in several different absorbency ratings, which are consistent across manufacturers in the U.S.
- Junior absorbency: 6 grams and under
- Regular absorbency: 6 to 9 grams
- Super absorbency: 9 to 12 grams
- Super plus absorbency: 12 to 15 grams
- Ultra absorbency: 15 to 18 grams
Toxic shock syndrome
Tampons have been shown to have a connection to toxic shock syndrome (TSS), a rare but sometimes fatal disease. The FDA suggests the following guidelines for decreasing the risk of contracting TSS when using tampons.
- Follow package directions for insertion
- Choose the lowest absorbency for your flow
- Change your tampon at least every 4 to 8 hours
- Consider alternating pads with tampons
- Know the warning signs of toxic shock syndrome
- Don't use tampons between periods
Environmental impact
Tampons, their applicators, and wrappings are used once and then either flushed down a toilet, or disposed of in trash. If flushed down a toilet, they end up in sewage treatment plants, and eventually, local groundwater or oceans. If disposed of in the trash, they may end up in landfills, where they can take up to six months to biodegrade.
Some tampons are made with genetically modified (GM) cotton. Chlorine bleach is also used in the manufacture of tampons. Chlorine is associated with a number of serious environmental problems, including dioxin contamination, and ozone depletion through production of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
Among tampon users, each woman is likely to use about 10,000 tampons during her lifetime.