Tampons are vaginal inserts that are used during menstruation to catch the menstrual flow. The inserts are made of cotton or rayon or a mixture of the two. These are disposable inserts and must be discarded after a single use.
History indicates that the first tampons were the invention of the Egyptians. Papyrus softened to absorbency was inserted into the vagina during menstruation. Greek women made tampons by wrapping a piece of wood with lint. References to such use has been made in the works of Hippocrates in the 5th century B.C. Wool, paper, vegetable fibers, sponges, grass and cotton were other material used by these early women to create tampons.
The word tampon is to “stop” or plug in French. Salicyclates were used by the French people to stop the flow of blood from wounds during wars.
Tampons therefore, are not new. The modern version is an improvement on the existing versions of the sanitary product. Dr.Earle Haas created the first applicator cord for a tampon in 1929. This invention was taken up by the Tampax Company and tampons with applicator cords were produced in 1931 for use of soldiers in battle. The tampon for menstrual use was created by Dr.Carl Hahn and Heinz Mittag. The rights of manufacture of this product were sold to Johnson and Johnson in 1974. Natracare came up with organic tampons in 1990.
Most tampons sold today are made from 100% cotton or a blend of cotton and rayon. They are often sold individually or in packs. Tampons are packaged in accordance with sizes and absorbency parameters. Some tampons expand axially, while others expand radially with use.
Many tampons come with an outer plastic covering to ease the process of insertion. While the outer tube may be made of plastic the inner tube is invariably of absorbent cotton. There is often a locking mechanism that is activated when the tampon is inserted into the vagina. The insertion can be done using an applicator or with the fingers. A few tampons come without the outer plastic covering and must be unwrapped and inserted into the vagina with the fingers only.
It is proven that use of tampons over long periods of time can cause the person to suffer from Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS). Health workers insist that women use sanitary pads alternately. They also recommend that tampons should not be used while going to bed.
Tampons are not always safe due to being made from bleaches and other chemicals and recycled papers. Plus the Tampon is inserted into the blood stream and will be absorbed into the body.
In Ontario, Canada a Company Winalite has a healthy alternative to tampons. The Winalite sanitary napkins stay dry and also have negative ion technology to keep inflammation down.