Tampons...?

Question

I play sports, and i have practice almost every night. When i have my period, I use tampons due to the fact that pads aren't comfortable while running. I use super absorbency, i am always worried about getting tss. Is there anything to ease my mind about it? Would using regular absorbency hold heavy flow? what do u prefer?

Answer 1

I would recommend you look at different options; you are not restricted to using either commercial pads or commercial tampons, what would probably work best for you would be either cloth pads or bell-shaped menstrual cups.

Cloth pads are basically pads that are made out of cloth; they are a lot healthier, greener and cheaper than commercial pads, because they are cloth it means they allow aeration to your vulva so you don't get sweaty, it also means they are very soft so they do not irritate your skin. You can get belts or g-style pads that are attached to your waste so that they do not move about as much as normal pads, or you can get padded panties that are basically underwear with padding built in so they are easier to move in and more comfortable.

http://www.gladrags.com – Cloth pads.
http://www.lunapads.com – Padded panties.
http://www.reddyspads.com – G-style pads.
http://www.wen.org.uk/sanpro/reports/makeyourown_web.pdf - DIY cloth pads.

The best internal options to go for are menstrual cups, there are a lot of different types but most women use either rubber or silicone bell-shaped menstrual cups or softcups. Menstrual cups go into your vagina to collect blood, they can be left I for up to 12 hours, they can be worn before your period is due, they can be worn to sleep, they can be worn for sports, there is also nothing showing on the outside so better for things such as swimming. Menstrual cups are more comfortable than tampons, easier to use and a lot more convenient with less chance of leaking or getting caught without any spares.
They are a lot more reliable than tampons because they very rarely leak, also unlike tampons they are hygienic and as a result they have NO HEALTH RISKS associated with them what-so-ever, so unlike tampons they are safe and healthy, they are not even linked with TSS.
Most people use bell-shaped cups because they are very reliable, as well as reusable making them cheaper and greener, but some people still prefer disposable options like softcups, softcups aren't suitable for everyone although they can be worn during penetrative sex that makes them more appealing for a lot of women.

http://www.divacup.com – Silicone bell-shaped menstrual cups.
http://www.mooncup.co.uk – Silicone bell-shaped menstrual cups.
http://www.keeper.com – Rubber bell-shaped menstrual cups.
http://www.softcup.com – Soft plastic diaphragm-shaped menstrual cups.

If you are going to use tampons then I would highly recommend you read up about tampon risks, minimise your risk by changing every 4 hours, never use them when not menstruating or on light flow days, never wear tampons to bed and use safer tampon options.
As commercial tampons are made from synthetic materials and contain chemicals, totally unnecessary, it means they are higher risk, there are other tampons that carry reduced risk such as organic tampons, sponge tampons or homemade tampons. Organic tampons are exactly like commercial tampons, only they are made form 100% organic cotton and do not contain chemicals or bleach, sponge tampons are sponges so natural and also reusable, homemade tampons are basically rolled up cotton so can be reusable or disposable.

http://www.natracare.com – Organic tampons and pads.
http://www.jadeandpearl.com – Sponge tampons.

TSS is far from the only risk associated with tampons, tampons are also linked to menstrual cramping, increased menstrual flow, and vaginal infections such as bacterial vaginosis through to more serious illness such as endometriosis. This is why commercial tampons are the most harmful out of over twenty different menstrual options available and the only options to have killed women.

TSS is the better known due to the outbreak in the 1980's brought about by tampons made form super absorbent materials that were not tested prior to sale for health risks. TSS can be fatal or leave it's victims with life-long health problems, it is rare but not nearly as rare as official statistics make out – for example, to be classed as a TSS case within official records it has to be diagnosed, reported by the doctor who diagnosed the case, and there are criteria; for example a person with TSS has had to have had at least three major organs shut down before they will officially class it in records as TSS.
TSS risk is increased significantly with tampon use, increased again if you use commercial tampons as these tampons use super absorbent synthetic materials, they also contain chemicals.

Tampons prevent normal vaginal cleaning functions, give bacteria the perfect pores environment to multiply upon, absorb discharge leading to vaginal splitting, expand into the cervix causing abrasions, leave fibres within the vagina, then commercial tampons add to the risks by absorbing more discharge due to their super absorbent fibres and increase risk of infections because they contain chemicals that interfere with normal vaginal Ph, in turn interfering with vaginal flora – these chemicals can also cause allergic reactions, and could pose a risk to general health.

http://www.spotsite.org – Tampon health web site.
http://www.frontiernet.net/%7Eruthb/Tampons.html - Ruth's endometriosis page.
http://www.tamponalert.org.uk - Exposing the Dangers of Toxic Shock Syndrome.
http://www.keeper-menstrual-cup.com/keeper_articles.html - Articles on tampon risks.
http://www.tssis.com – Toxic shock syndrome information service.

I personally would never use tampons again, not just because they caused me constant problems or due to the fact two of my friends contracted TSS but because I now use a menstrual cup that is far better in every way over tampons. W I started using a menstrual cup I started researching tampon risks, and I was shocked at what has gone on and what continues to go on, as a result of this I went into menstrual activism and gynaecological studies. Trust me when I tell you that there are very valid reasons for you to worry about tampon risks, rather than try to ignore those worries listen to them, do you really think shoving a bleached wad of rayon into your vagina is healthy?

Edit:

To correct some of the idiocy here, TSS is NOT something you only get from not changing your tampon often enough, TSS is a constant risk with tampon use it is just that the longer you leave a tampon in your body the significantly greater the risk. Implying that the women who have died or suffered life-long health problems due to TSS were unhygienic idiots who left their tampons in for too long is nonsense – this is what is known as victim blaming, people do it to make themselves feel better about the risks they choose to ignore themselves.

Answer 2

Toxic Shock Syndrome is mainly caused when you don't change your tampon often enough. I've used tampons for 29 years, and I've never had a problem. I also use the super absorbency on my first two days. I've always used Tampax, except for a few times when I was exceptionally broke and then I used the store brand. I personally would not risk using regular aborbency to hold a heavy flow - I've done that a few times, and it seems to get saturated so fast! You probably want the extra protection when you're at practice. It seems like I always flow faster when I'm working out, too.

There's also a pamphlet that comes in the Tampax box of 40 that tells about TSS.

Answer 3

Ok, can i just say i dnt use tampons but i do know sum stuff about them. First of all u will only get TSS if you leave the tampon in for like a week or woteva so dont worry as long as you change it every 4 - 8 hours. Next, try to use the absorbency you need. For instance,if you have a light flow, dont use the super heavy kind, it dont make sense right? U know ur body and what your comfotable with so do wot u gotta do. And keep playing hockey, I wish i could! Good Luck!

Answer 4

I wouldn't worry about TSS. Back in the 80s, people would use extra-super tampons. That's when they ran into problems. As long as you don't leave them in for days or anything, then you should be fine. And, they don't make extra-super anymore, anyways...

Also, if you have a heavy flow, then i wouldn't use regular absorbency. That just asking to leak.

I always use tampons. I don't like pads. I think that they are annoying, and i leaked alot more when i was using pads.

For me, tampons are the way to go.

Answer 5

It doesn't matter what absorbancy you use. As long as you change them regularly - you do not have to worry about TSS. I wouldn't think that the amount of time you spend in practice would be too long to leave a single tampon in. Now if it's an all day event (such as a track meet or whatever) than just be sure to change them a couple of times throughout the day. The only way you're going to get TSS is if you leave them in for too long and infection caused by a serious bacteria sets in.

Answer 6

you should only use the right absobence for the flow you are having. if you are having heavy flow you probalby need a heavy tampon. just be sure to change them frequenctly if you are concerned. say every 3-4 hours. safely using the right tampon to the right flow a tampon can be worn for up to 8 hours. although if you worried you should be totaly find at 3-4 hours. if you are chaing them alot you might be able to use a lighter absorbency tampon.

Answer 7

I think using pads is the best. Use the ultra thin kind if you dont want to use the regular kind. Also, change your tampon as often as possible to reduce the chances of tss.

Answer 8

You should use the lowest asorbency. then change 5 hours later the most. It is said that your more likely to get tss if you use super absorbency so the lowest is better and if you change at least every 4 hours.

Answer 9

think using pads is the best. Use the ultra thin kind if you dont want to use the regular kind. Also, change your tampon as often as possible to reduce the chances of tss.

Answer 10

You should always use the lowest absorbancy that will work.

TSS occurs very rarely...usually when a woman leaves the last tampon from her period inside and forgets about it...don't know how someone could do that...but it happens.

You don't have much to worry about as long as you change your tampon regularly and stick with the lowest absorbancy that works for you.

Answer 11

properly, the people above gave you the authentic thanks to cajole your mom, notwithstanding that's no longer properly worth it to argue including your mom that's going to easily reason fights and he or she probable gained't supply in. indexed lower than are some suggestion notwithstanding for hiding your pads. so that you do not elect absolutely everyone to work out you taking a pad out of your bag, who does? The pocket would not artwork so properly a number of the time because they stick out of the authentic, so indexed lower than are some concepts.. Do you've boots? Uggs? Fuggs? Snow boots? regardless of form of boot you placed on to college. Stick some on your boot so that they are continuously with you! when you're on the point the position you carry a binder with you everywhere between instructions then have a particular position on your binder or get an acordian (sp?) folder and shop them in between the slots, then basically take the binder into the stall with you. Neither of those artwork? maximum faculties/public places have a pad/tampon allotting device of their bathing room and they oftentimes cost 25 or 50 cents. So convey some quarters with you and purchase them there in case you could manage to pay for to attain this. continuously have back-up though, incase they're out. one better concept.. searching at this form of bathrooms your college has you're waiting to hide some pads back there on the starting up of the day, I doubt absolutely everyone will be sticking their hand back there. in the different case there is oftentimes a brown paper bag contained in the metallic container the position you placed grimy products and also you may want to placed it outdoors of the paper bag (inbetween metallic and bag) the position that's no longer very noticable to people, or %. up the bag, placed some pads down on the bottom and position the bag back on authentic. people oftentimes do not bypass snooping round contained in the stalls so those might want to artwork too. wish I helped!