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Back to BlogMedically reviewed by Sophia Yen, MD, MPH – Written by Pandia Health Editorial Team
We should not be afraid to say the word tampon in public. When talking about periods, women are often taught from a young age to be as discreet as possible. This does not ring true for other bodily functions such as coughing or sneezing – in fact, these reactions are usually met with customary responses like “bless you.” However, it only takes one mention of “periods” or “menstruation” to get some individuals shifting uncomfortably in their seats.
But, why should women be ashamed of their periods in the first place? They are a natural, albeit sometimes unpleasant bodily function that those with a uterus cannot avoid, so we might as well embrace them!
Tampon Shaming Statistics
A poll by Thinx revealed that, out of 1,500 surveyed women, 73% of them hide their sanitary products when going to the bathroom. Another study carried out by Water Aid found that 62% of 2,000 surveyed women would rather attend a formal occasion with a large coffee stain on themselves than carry a sanitary product.
But there is another problem…
After one becomes accustomed to being scrutinized for changes one’s body undergoes at “that time of the month,” one enters the world of Tampon Shaming.
Tampon shaming is the judgement over tampon usage and choices. This goes beyond stares from individuals who do not have periods – it may go as far as receiving negative, unsolicited input from other women regarding sanitary product preferences.
For instance, think about the last time you were in a public place and had to excuse yourself to change your tampon. How did that make you feel? Probably a little embarrassed and ashamed – although these feelings have become normalized here, they shouldn’t be!
What’s more, Water Aid’s survey also reported that 65% of women hide tampons up their sleeves or carry their whole bag when going to the bathroom. Only 16% of the women surveyed revealed that they would be confident asking the occupant of the next-door stall for a spare tampon.
Tampon Myths
“Tampons can get lost inside you”
“Tampons can cause toxic shock syndrome”
“Tampons stretch your vagina”
“You should change a tampon every time you pee”
“Tampons no longer make you a virgin”
It can be difficult to separate facts from fiction when dealing with tampons. About 43 million women use tampons in the United States; if used on a monthly basis, that comes out to an average of 11,000 menstrual products used in their lifetime. In the quest to stop tampon shaming, which partly developed from various myths that plague tampon usage, we will tackle and debunk a few misconceptions.
Tampons Alter the Size and Shape of your Vagina – Contrary to popular belief, the size of a tampon does not alter the shape of your vagina. Tampon sizes depend mainly on the heaviness of your flow, which is different for every woman. Therefore, using larger tampons will NOT alter the shape or size of your vagina.
Tampons Contain Dioxins and Asbestos – These are highly toxic pollutants that can lead to cancer, reproductive problems, and damage to the immune system. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that the “fibers used in FDA-cleared tampons sold today are made with a bleaching process that is free from elemental chlorine, which also prevents products from having dangerous levels of dioxin.” Additionally, the FDA has found NO evidence of asbestos present in any tampon sold in the U.S and has reported that asbestos is not an ingredient in tampons.
Tampons Affect Virginity – Using tampons does not impact virginity status. The cultural concept of ‘losing your virginity’ is based on breaking your ‘hymen’ through penetrative vaginal sex. Tampons are big enough to absorb blood, but small enough to fit perfectly within the vagina without affecting the hymen. The hymen is not like a mesh; it is a ring. If it is a mesh, visit your doctor to have it corrected.
Tampons Get Lost in your Body – Some people believe that tampons can travel up your vagina into the cervix or uterus and that tampon strings can disappear into the abdomen. Thankfully, this fear can be debunked! At the end of the vagina is the cervix, which has a small opening to allow blood and semen to pass through; a tampon cannot go through your cervix as it will not fit.
Furthermore, the vagina does NOT connect to the abdominal cavity, which means that a tampon cannot get into the abdomen. In the event that a tampon is forgotten and pushed in deeper with another tampon, it will simply remain in the vagina rather than travelling to the uterus or abdomen.
If you lose a tampon string, do not panic. Instead try this quick hack: squat down, try pushing a little – like you are about to poop – reach inside your vagina (with clean fingers), grab the string, and gently pull it out. If the thought of this is too daunting, you can purchase tampons without strings! That being said, be mindful that this type of tampon may be messier to remove. In short, the tampon string is a convenience, but not a necessity.
Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) – TSS is one of the greatest fears associated with tampon use. This condition is caused by strains of bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus, which can get into the blood and release toxins. TSS is very rare and only 1 in 100,000 menstruating people develop it in the U.S.
However, it should still be taken seriously. A best practice in TSS prevention is proper tampon usage – changing a tampon every four to eight hours depending on the heaviness of your flow – in order to stop bacteria from accumulating. Do not keep a tampon in for more than eight hours at a time and use the lowest absorbency option possible.
Money + Menstruation
Bleeding every month for a third of your life is annoying enough but how much does having a period cost you over a lifetime? Dealing with periods involves buying and using several sanitary products like pads, tampons, and menstrual cups. Tampons are popular, as they provide convenience, comfort, and a greater sense of security (a.k.a. a lower chance of staining your favorite bottoms). Simply put, it’s not right for tampons and their users to be subject to shame and judgment.
Why not skip your periods altogether? Save yourself stress, time, and money by trying a service which is guaranteed to keep you #PeriodFree. The Pandia Health solution was created to make women’s lives easier by providing prescription birth control as a means to keep their periods at bay and, in turn, allow them to focus more on other aspects of life (school, work, mental health, etc.).
Whether you have an existing prescription or are interested in starting birth control for the first time, the healthcare professionals at Pandia Health will help you meet your needs with confidentiality, convenience, and care. Get started today to get the contraceptive method of your choice delivered to you for FREE. The process is simple and will save you much stress in the end when you can #SkipTheTrip to the pharmacy.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article intend to inform and encourage conversation. They are the views of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Pandia Health. This article was written for informational purposes only and should not be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.