Girls only, please!!?

Question

From your experience, what are the pros and cons of tampons??

---besides the risk of toxic shock syndrome, anyway. I already know about that.

I want to know because my mom won't let me wear tampons for some reason, and I want to show this information to her.

Thanks for your help!

Answer 1

Besides the risk of toxic shock syndrome, I can't think of any real cons to the use of tampons. Your mother may feel that if you comfortable inserting tampons into your vagina that you may become more comfortable inserting other things as well, including boy parts. An old myth is that using tampons takes a girl's virginity. This is not the case--only sexual intercourse makes a girl not a virgin anymore, but tampon use CAN break your hymen. So can bike riding, horseback riding, doing splits and gymnastics, and various other activities.

Some people say that the white tampons (most of them) contain bleaches that shouldn't be exposed to mucous membrane. That is really up to you, though, and depends on your personal opinions as there is no substantial scientific research at this time.

The pros of using tampons?

- No bulky pad showing in your pants.
- You can go swimming without looking weird (I actually saw a girl in a swimsuit with a pad once... I never thought anyone would do that until then!)
- Less danger of leaks (tampons can still leak, I recommend OB brand which leak less often but you still should change them every time you use the toilet).
- Smaller product to carry around with you.
- They're flushable, so you don't have to find a place to put them after you use them.
- The smell is less noticable.
- When used overnight they greatly reduce the risk of leaking all over the bedsheets.

After originally posting, I noticed someone who mentioned being concerned about "plugging up" the flow. Tampons do not plug anything up, they absorb the flow and you remove it every few hours when you use the bathroom.

Answer 2

I can't imagine going through a period without tampons. I never keep them in for more than 4-6 hours to avoid TSS. I always wear pads at night or if I am just lounging around the house. I do notice a strong blood smell when I wear pads but not when I wear tampons. Also use the smallest absorbency you can, regular size seem to do the trick since I change then so frequently. I am not sure why your mom feel this way as most women believe tampons are a blessing. You should ask her what her reasons are but also let her know that is is your body and ultimately she cannot control what you do with it. However you should respect her opinion on the matter. Maybe you could come to some sort of compromise like you can only wear tampons is you are going somewhere and promise to change them every 4 hours. Women get TSS is they leave them in all the time or overnight and that is just unsanitary anyways. Good luck sweetie and hopefully your mom will be willing to compromise.

Answer 3

Hi. I think tampons are just more effective at catching the blood. You don't get so much leakage and mess although you do have to change them regularly. There is a risk of toxic shock syndrome but it is very unusual and if you read the brochure in the pack and do what it says regarding hygiene - wash your hands before and after changing the tampon, don't leave tampons in longer than 8 hours, shower every day and use a pad overnight, you reduce the risk considerably. Do you think your mum might be worried that you might not use them responsibly? That you might forget to do all the things listed above? If so, you could start your conversation by telling her that you understand the risks and the importance of doing things the right way and she might be pleased with your approach. By the way, what does your mum use? If she doesn't use tampons you might have to discuss her reasons. If she does, then maybe you just have to convince her you are grown up enough to take care of yourself and your health responsibly! Good luck!

Answer 4

tampons reduce the chance of leakage, prevents smell, and gives you peace of mind. they have done a lot of work on them to minimise the chance of toxic shock syndrome. there is no longer any real issue with sleeping with them in, as long as it's not for more than about 10 hours (recommeded max for supers is 8-9 i think)

my mum was a bit the same. once i got a job i started buying them myself, and she's accepted it. i find them more comfortable to wear and they give me greater sense of mind, and are easier have tucked away in your purse or pocket. they cost maybe a little bit more than pads, and you should prolly have a thin pad or long liner for extra protection in case.

i don't think tampons block "the natural flow" of our bodies either. the blood still flows. it just gets absorbed a little sooner.

also, i think they're a good way to become comfortable with your body. they can break your flimsy hymen (if it hasnt broken from normal activity) and means that you won't have that pain to endure if you haven't had sex yet, makes the first time feel a little less uncomfortable. (probably not what she wants to hear)

AND.... they make great cat toys. lol

Answer 5

I asked my gynecologist about this because my daughter is 13 and has been on her period since she was 12. He said as long as you use the small ones and change them as regularly as you would a pad, it is okay. He said it is actually beneficial to use them when you are young and not sexually active so that it can help "stretch" your hymen. He told me that stretching your hymen will make it less painful when you become a MARRIED ADULT and have your first sexual relation. He also told me that as long as you remain non-active sexually, that it is not necessary to have a gynecological exam until you are around 18 or 19. However, if you do become sexually active, then you need to have yearly exams to be checked for cancer as well as HPV. As far as having the vaccination for HPV, it is not necessary if you are not sexually active because HPV is usually sexually transmitted. Also, the HPV vaccination is a series of three shots that insurance generally will not cover and it only vaccinates against 4 of the 21 strains of HPV. I know this is a lot of information to take in - just trying to be helpful.
Also, I can understand you're mother not wanting you to use tampons just yet. Even though I was given all this info from my doctor - I am still not willing to let my daughter use them just yet either - it is a very big responsibility.

Answer 6

It looks like everyone has covered all the pros and cons of wearing or not wearing a tampon. I am a Registered Nurse and think it is totally appropriate for a teenager to wear tampons, as long as she is a responsible young girl. The most important thing to remember is to change them. I have seen patients that forgot they had one in, insert another, remove that one, etc....and at the end of their period, still have that old tampon in. This leads to infection and a horrible odor. Just remember to be very conscious of what you have placed into your body and remember to remove them as they can make you very sick. I am totally for them, but only if you are responsible.

Answer 7

Pads feel so terrible and make you feel so self conscious. Tampons are much easier to tuck into a backpack or purse, plus you aren't limited to physical activity while wearing a tampon. If your mom is worried about you losing your virginity due to tampon use: Virginity has to do with sexual relations...not using tampons. The hymen, which partially covers and protects the opening to the vagina is so fragile that it is stretched or torn during many activities, but it does not mean that you are no longer a virgin.
I hope this helps. Try checking out http://www.tampax.com , http://beinggirl.com , and http://www.playtextampons.com/

Answer 8

Well it all depends on your age. Personally I could never even USE tampons until I was sexually active (at age 18), not even the slim ones. I prefer them now because they are less messy than pads, leave less of an odor and are generally easier to use (no worrying that the pad will shift and you're going to leak)

What is your mom's reason for not letting you use them? Maybe if you two had an honest, good discussion about it and why you WANT to use them and why she might NOT want you to use them, you can come to an agreement about it. Maybe she just is uncomfortable about the idea of her "baby" being old enough to use something that is inserted into the vagina.

Good luck!

Answer 9

i wear tampons during the day and pads at night. i will only wear tampons at night if im staying at my boyfriends house. tss syndrome can always happen but even doctors say that it is rare. try using tampons and if you feel comfortable with them then stick to it. my mom only wears pads and freaked out when i told her i was using tampons.

Answer 10

The tampons they make now shouldn't cause toxic syndrome, they've come along way because of it. Make sure you buy the right ones.