From allowing you to move your body as you wish to the leak-free peace of mind they deliver, there’s no doubt that tampons have transformed the lives of countless women navigating their periods. In recent years, however, they've become subject of unhelpful misinformation – from whether their composition may be toxic to further intimate health concerns when it comes to using them in the right way.
‘Tampons remain a convenient and effective period product for many women,’ says Dr Nikki Ramskill, a women’s health GP and founder of The Female Health Doctor Clinic. ‘They are generally very safe when used correctly.’ Whatever your choice of period care product, you should be able to manage your flow with confidence; trusting the brands and products that exist in this area to do exactly what they say when it comes to menstrual health.
Here we debunk some of the most common myths surrounding tampons that you may have been too embarrassed to ask…
Myth 1: Tampons contain harmful chemicals
In short: no. ‘Harmful substances, like heavy metals, are not intentionally added to tampons from brands like Tampax,’ says Dr Scarlet Nazarian, the surgical registrar behind @thefemalesurgeon on Instagram and TikTok. ‘The trace amount of metals that could be found in a tampon is very small – not unlike the low amounts found in the food and water you consume every day.’
Dr Nazarian continues: ‘Manufacturers [like Tampax] routinely screen for impurities and use independent labs to verify their safety.’ She notes the importance of looking for things like the OEKOTEX® STANDARD 100 label, which certifies that products have been tested against up to 1,000 substances, including heavy metals such as lead, mercury and arsenic.
Myth 2: It’s normal to bleed through a tampon
‘Occasionally bleeding through a tampon can simply mean that the tampon has reached capacity and needs changing, or you may need to move up one absorbency level,’ explains Dr Ramskill. However, she recommends being assessed by a healthcare professional if you are bleeding through the highest absorbency tampon very quickly or need to change tampons every one to two hours. Other signs to be aware of include passing large blood clots, periods lasting longer than seven days or having symptoms of iron deficiency including fatigue, breathlessness or dizziness.
‘Heavy menstrual bleeding can have many causes, including fibroids, adenomyosis, endometriosis, hormonal imbalances, thyroid disorders, bleeding disorders and the perimenopause transition,’ points out Dr Ramskill. ‘Effective treatments are available, so women should not be dismissed or feel they have to put up with very heavy periods.’
Myth 3: Tampons commonly cause Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)
‘TSS [Toxic Shock Syndrome] often sounds scary, but it’s actually extremely rare,’ insists Dr Nazarian. ‘It’s a bacterial infection that can affect anyone – not just tampon users. In the UK, TSS affects around one in 1.5 million people each year and rates haven’t really changed in the last 40 or so years.’ When diagnosed early enough, the condition is ‘very treatable,’ she adds.
Dr Nazarian advises: ‘If you are using a tampon, and feel ill with symptoms such as high fever, body or joint aches, nausea or diarrhoea, it’s important to remove your tampon right away and seek medical advice – you can also reduce your risk even further by choosing the lowest absorbency you need and mixing in other products, like pads.’ As a reminder, tampons should be changed every four to six hours, and never left in longer than this.
Myth 4: Tampons always feel uncomfortable
‘When a tampon is inserted correctly, most women should not be able to feel it at all during normal daily activities,’ says Dr Ramskill. ‘If a tampon feels uncomfortable, causes pressure, rubbing or there is awareness of its presence, it may not have been inserted far enough into the vagina.’ She adds that discomfort may also occur if the tampon absorbency is too high for the amount of bleeding present, there is vaginal dryness or an underlying pelvic floor issue or vaginal condition.
‘Gently removing it and trying again with a fresh tampon often resolves the issue,’ notes Dr Ramskill. Applicator versions of tampons can also help with correct placement during insertion. Tampax's own range of applicator tampons feature an anti-slip design for secure grip and control. Posture too can play a role in discomfort, as Dr Ramskill adds: ‘It can help to relax the pelvic floor muscles and insert the tampon at a slight angle towards the lower back rather than straight upwards.’ It’s best to speak to a doctor if you are having persistent issues.
Find out more at tampax.co.uk
Lauren is a lifestyle journalist with digital and magazine experience. Find her covering all aspects of wellness - from fitness, nutrition and mental health, to beauty and travel. Morning HIIT, a lunchtime oat latte and evenings ensconced in a hyaluronic acid-infused sheet mask are her own personal feel-good pillars.
