Dear New to Playtex,

You ask some great questions that many American women have as well. Here are some answers: wearing pads or tampons is a matter of personal preference. Pads, or sanitary napkins, come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and absorbencies. Overnight types are usually the bulkiest and the most absorbent, and panty liners are the smallest and the least absorbent. Women use different products depending on the heaviness of their flow.

Tampons are made of soft absorbent material and are inserted into the vaginal opening, like a battery into a flashlight, resting in the vaginal canal to absorb menstrual fluid. Tampons also come in various sizes and absorbencies, with or without deodorant, and with or without applicators. Brands also differ in size, effectiveness, and comfort. Tampons need to be changed frequently to prevent toxic shock syndrome (TSS). They may also be used with pads as backup in case they leak. Women can use tampons even if they haven't ever had sexual intercourse, and using tampons does not affect virginity.

Here's some guidelines for inserting the applicator-type tampons:

(1) Unwrap the tampon, being careful not to move the applicator plunger. Tampons with applicators usually have two parts, one that surrounds the tampon and is inserted into the vagina, and a thinner tube that acts like a plunger to push the tampon out of the plastic or cardboard.

(2) Try to relax. Get yourself in a comfortable position -- standing with one foot on the toilet, sitting with your knees apart, or squatting on the floor. Make sure the string is hanging out of the bottom of the applicator. Hold the tampon at the point where the two tubes meet with your thumb and third finger.

(3) Insert the tampon gently into your vagina until your fingers touch your outer vaginal lips. You may want to hold your lips apart with your other hand while you insert the tampon. It may help to jiggle the tampon slightly. You are not in danger of putting the tampon up too far or having it get lost in your vagina.

(4) While still holding the tampon in this position, use your forefinger or your other hand to gently and slowly push the plunger all the way. Then pull out the applicator and dispose of it in the trash.

(5) Once it's in, you should not be able to feel the tampon at all. If it's uncomfortable or painful, you can try pushing it up farther in your vagina, adjusting it with your finger, or taking it out and trying again with another tampon.

A few more things: There is no reason to use deodorant tampons. In fact, they can be irritating to many women. Also, if a tampon is hard to pull out or shreds when you remove it, the tampon you are using is too absorbent and you need to switch to one with a lower absorbency rating. Lastly, one of the biggest health hazards with using tampons is toxic shock syndrome, or TSS. TSS is a rare, but life-threatening, bacterial infection that affects between one and seventeen menstruating women per 100,000. Studies have shown that using the super plus tampons, and leaving tampons in the vagina for long amounts of time, increase the risk of developing TSS. Symptoms include a sudden high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, fainting, dizziness, or a sunburnlike rash. To minimize the risk of TSS, wash your hands before inserting a tampon, change your tampon every four to six hours (especially on heavy flow days), and use the lowest absorbency tampon that is reasonable given the amount of your menstrual flow.

Also check out Rachel Dobkin and Shana Sippy's book, The College Woman's Handbook. It would probably be helpful to you in many areas as a woman new to the States.

Alice

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