1. Tampons can only be used by women who are or have previously been sexually active.
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Tampons are small cotton devices and expand slightly as it absorbs the menstrual blood. The expansion is minimal and the walls of the vagina are flexible. So there is no reason why using a tampon would be unsafe for women and adolescents who are not sexually active yet. When inserted correctly, you shouldn?t even be able to feel a tampon. So unless someone has vaginismus or a similar disorder, they shouldn?t feel any discomfort either while using a tampon.
Using tampons can break your hymen.
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A lot of day to day activities such as riding bicycles or playing sports can break your hymen, but using a tampon isn?t one of them. The hymen is a membrane that allows room for menstrual blood and discharge to pass through the middle, so there is no reason why it can?t let a tampon pass through without damage. Unless you insert the tampon at a wrong angle or force it through, it shouldn?t be able to break your hymen.
Sleeping with a tampon in causes Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS).
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TSS is a very real risk if you keep your tampon in for more than eight hours. However, if you just put in your tampon right before bed and make sure to get up within eight hours to change it, you shouldn?t have any problem. Tampons are designed to be worn for six to eight hours and modern tampons don?t pose any real risk of TSS if used as directed. You should always make sure that you use the correct size of tampon for your flow and refrain from using tampons if your period hasn?t started yet. If you are expecting your period or it has just stopped, you should opt for a panty-liner or pad instead of putting in a tampon. Wearing a tampon when you?re not actually having your period can actually cause TSS, as it absorbs all the necessary bacteria from your vagina.
If your tampon gets stuck, how should you remove it?
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If your tampon string has fallen off or gotten pushed too far inside the vagina, you should still be able to remove your tampon by reaching up with your fingers. Do make sure to thoroughly wash your hands before doing so, so as to prevent infections. If you have difficulty reaching or getting a good grip on your tampon, squatting on the ground usually does the job. If none of these works, then it is best to go to a gynecologist who will remove it with professional equipment. However, it is not common for a tampon to get pushed up so far that such a step will be necessary.
How long should you wait to start using tampons after giving birth?
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The vagina is more sensitive to pain after giving birth and your immune system becomes weaker. Doctors usually advise that you wear sanitary pads and wait at least six weeks before resuming use of tampons. This is not only to avoid unnecessary strain on your vagina but also to avoid infections.