Why tampons ?

The motivation to write this article is to primarily ward off all the misconceptions surrounding the usage of tampons. The real frustration is not the PMS’ or the actual menstrual cycles themselves. It is the lack of awareness about maintaining hygiene and containing discomfort during ‘that time of the month.’

I know that we have a better life than the previous generations did when it comes to accepting the natural phenomenon of bleeding every month. Unfortunately, this is still regarded as a taboo in most parts of India.

Just like sanitary pads have been our good friends through our bad times, we now have best friends through our bad times and those friends are tampons. I was curious, but also a bit skeptical initially, to find out about how they worked and to test whether it was safe to use or not.

Today, if tampons are used by any section of the population in India, one could safely say that it is only the educated classes. In fact, in most cases it is used by women who have lived abroad or who have women friends living abroad who have told them about tampons. This has to change. Even now when I write this article, only a specific group of women are going to read it. If men read it, not all are going to forward it to their female friends or family. Just like the other zillion topics that we Indians refrain from talking about, periods and tampons are undoubtedly silenced topics of discussion. I would like to encourage more and more women to come out and start talking about it. Let your male children, friends and family know what it is all about –explain sanitary pad advertisements to them and show them that periods are as natural a process as the body itself. Tampons are a boon to women and I would say we Indian women could surely use it without having mental blocks about them.

How did I get introduced to Tampons?

I got introduced to them during my stay in Germany. When I asked around about how to use a tampon, a really close friend of mine told me about the advantages of using it and gave me two of them to try. So essentially, tampons are rolled and compact sanitary pads. At that point of time when I first used a tampon, I was so vulnerable as it was my time of the month, alone in a new city and the weather was terrible (European winters can be quite harsh!). Girls and ladies would know what am I trying to say I am sure. It might sound melodramatic and it probably was, but I know that the comfort I felt for the first time after using tampons was extremely liberating. I remember changing the tampon only once during that day and I was good to go until I got home from work. Using tampons is not losing your virginity. Please consult a doctor if you doubt this statement.

Menstrupedia Comic

 

How does one use tampons?

Tampons have to be inserted into the vagina with the middle finger(specifically) so that they go in properly. They have a string attached to them at the end from where you can insert them in. Tug the string before inserting it just to be sure that the string is attached.

There are number of questions I know that you might have while reading this, but frankly, I am not a doctor and thus can only guide you on how and why to use it based upon my personal experience. I have used tampons for the past 7-8 periods. The very first time I used it, I had problems just walking around and I felt like there was a stone stuck inside my vagina,but when I asked my girlfriend about it she said that I might have not inserted it properly and assured me that if it hurt that much then it was certainly not properly inserted. Heeding her instructions, I then pushed the tampon a bit more and then for the next four hours I did not know even realize that I was bleeding. My periods had never been so carefree.

Another tip would be that it would be more feasible if you could rest one leg on some stool or such or simply squat on the floor while inserting the tampon as it has to be inserted carefully. There are applicators which also come along with tampons in most cases. You can use these applicators to insert the tampon comfortably. Another important tip would be that if you know that you might not get a chance to change the tampon after four hours have elapsed, then please wear a panty-liner or a short length sanitary pad just to be safe from embarrassment. At the time of removal, just hold the string and pull it out. It comes out without too much of a hassle.

There are a lot of videos explaining how one can insert a tampon with or without an applicator. Try them once and you will know why am I insisting so much and harping on about the fact that women have to evolve when it comes to the ‘taboo’ topic of using tampons during periods. I regret not having been introduced to them earlier, which would have reduced the days of embarrassment in my life. Now, I do not worry about bed stains when I sleep at night or go for a sleepover at a friend’s place. I do not worry about all the times I wear trousers, a dress or anything else for that matter.

Which tampons do I use?

The only thing to bear in mind is that different tampons have different absorbent quotients just like sanitary pads. Just like sanitary pads, tampons also have ‘normal’ and ‘super’ levels of absorbency. You have to decide which one to wear in accordance to your flow. Tampons usually should not be used for more than four to five hours, but again, depending on how much your flow is and which tampon you use, you can decide when you want to change. We need to spread the word in India, as widely as we possibly can and with no inhibitions whatsoever. I have been successful in convincing two of my close friends to use it; they both do not regret being convinced to do so by me.

Tampons are freedom from the tension, wetness, odor and discomfort of sanitary napkins.

IMG_5202Author: Shweta Sonawane

Currently residing in Pune, Shweta is a German language graduate who is looking to find ways to lend a helping hand to all fellow human beings. She blogs here.

Edited by – Divya Rosaline

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