The built-in absorbent like OB and Tampax are a great solution for women to go on the beach, swim in the pool or exercise during menstruation.
In order to safely use tampons and to avoid developing vaginal infections, it is essential to keep your hands clean whenever you insert or remove it and be careful to change it every 4 hours, even if your menstrual flow is small.
In addition, to avoid catching any vaginal infection, which causes symptoms such as itching, burning, and green discharge, it is important to choose the size of the absorbent suitable for your type of menstrual flow, the more intense the flow, the larger the absorbent should be. Another way to avoid infections is to avoid using the tampon every day because the heat and moisture inside the vagina increases this risk.
Risks of using internal absorbent
When used correctly, the tampon is safe and does not harm your health, and is a hygienic way to control menstruation. In addition, it does not hurt the skin, allows clothes to be worn at ease without getting dirty and still decreases the unpleasant odor of menstruation.
However, to use the inner absorbent safely it is essential to change it every 4 hours even if the amount of flow is small. It should never be used for more than 8 hours in a row, especially in very hot countries, such as Brazil, to avoid infections and therefore it is not recommended to sleep using internal absorbent.
The use of the internal absorbent is contraindicated when the woman has some vaginal infection because it can aggravate the situation and also in the first 60 days after delivery because it is necessary to constantly check the color, texture and smell of postpartum bleeding. Learn more about this situation here.
Warning signs to go to the doctor
When using internal absorbent, special attention should be paid to symptoms such as:
- Sudden high fever;
- Pain in the body and headache without the flu;
- Diarrhea and vomiting;
- Skin changes similar to a sunburn all over the body.
These signs may indicate toxic shock syndrome, which is a very serious infection caused by inappropriate use of the internal absorbent due to the proliferation of bacteria in the vagina, which spread to the blood, which can affect the kidneys and liver and is potentially fatal. So if you have any of these symptoms you should immediately remove the absorbent and go to the emergency room for tests and start the appropriate treatment, which is usually done with antibiotics through the vein for at least 10 days in the hospital.
How to put the inner pad correctly
To properly dispose of the tampon material without injury, you must:
- Unwind the cord from the absorbent and stretch it;
- Insert the index finger into the base of the absorbent;
- Separate lips from vagina with free hand;
- Gently push the inner absorbent into the vagina, but toward the back, because the vagina is tilted back and so it is easier to insert the absorbent.
To facilitate the placement of the absorbent, the woman can stand with one leg resting on a higher seat, such as a bench or sitting on the toilet with her legs open and her knees well apart.
Know another way to stop menstruation: How to use the menstrual cup.
The key care to use are:
- Wash hands before putting on and whenever removing the inner absorbent;
- Use a pantyhose protector such as intimate days, for example, to prevent soiling of undergarments if there are small blood leaks.
The inner absorbent can be used by all healthy women and also by girls who are still virgins, and in this case it is recommended to place the inner absorbent very slowly and always use a small absorbent to avoid breaking the hymen. However, even with these care the hymen can break, unless it is complacent. Find out what is hymen complacent and the most common doubts.
See other care for female intimate health.
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