If you or your child just started your period, one of the first questions that come to mind would be – what period products are safe to use? Are tampons safe for teenagers you may also ask? These can be hard topics to discuss with other people but also extremely important to have clear information on. Read on to find clear answers to all the questions you may have on the safety of tampons for tweens.
Are Tampons Safe for Teenagers?
Objectively, the safest and easiest female hygiene product that anyone can use is the sanitary pad. It is used externally by attaching the product onto your underwear.
However, it may not always be the best option depending on the lifestyle choices of your child. For example, if she regularly participates in water activities or exercises often, wearing pads might not be best. Pads may interfere with tight clothes or even leak blood due to shifting or overflow. This can easily be solved by wearing a tampon. It is important to note that when worn as instructed, tampons are safe. So yes, tampons are safe for teenagers. However, here are some things to take note of.
Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)
Since tampons are so comfortable and convenient, some women forget and use the same tampon for over eight hours. This places them at a significantly higher risk for developing Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS). TSS is a dangerous health complication that has been the cause of death for an estimated one in 100,000 women within the United States each year. Simply put, the bacteria that is naturally found in the vagina flourishes and can over-grow when there’s a blood-soaked tampon. The same concern presents for women who use menstrual cups and other internal use period items.
There are many reasons why one would keep their tampon in for longer than required. Since tampons can be worn when swimming, sleeping, or even showering, it can be easy to forget about it when there are no leaks. It is important to remain conscientious of how many hours you are sleeping or wearing it to prevent going over the eight-hour mark.
Some women may choose to keep their tampon in for longer than required due to a lack in accessible disposable methods. Many women have gone through the stress of entering a bathroom, only to find out that there is no empty or accessible bin. SNUCS® aims to alleviate this through our SNUCS® pouches. Each one is odor and waterproof and can contain your used period waste until you are able to properly dispose of it. It is convenient to bring around and easy to use with this quick guide.
Tampons and Virginity
One of the largest concerns many mothers and teenagers have is that tampons might have some kind of effect on a teenager’s virginity. This is not the case and tampons will not cause your teenager to lose their virginity or become more sexually inclined in any way. However, there is the possibility that larger tampons may cause stretch or tear in the hymen. The best way to mitigate this is to use smaller tampons and work up to one that best suits your teenager’s period flow and comfort level.
More Info on Tampons Safety
The Facts on Tampons—and How to Use Them Safely | FDA
Can I Use a Tampon If I’m a Virgin? (for Teens) – Nemours KidsHealth
