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### Follow the journey of the organic cotton in your Tampax product

Follow the journey of the organic cotton in your Tampax product

Organic cotton journey

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Learn more about Tampax tampons and feminine care products, including tampon and period information and helpful women's health articles.

Tampax Tampons & Feminine Care Products | Tampax®

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Tampax Pearl tampons have five absorbencies so you can find  
the perfect match for your period flow. Tampax Pearl are available in Light,  
Regular, Super, Super Plus and Ultra tampon absorbencies.

Five Absorbencies to Match Your Flow

## Five Absorbencies to Match Your Flow

Find Your Flow Combo with Tampax Pearl  1

Find Your Flow Combo with Tampax Pearl

How to Decide Between Pads and Tampons Body

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Tampax Pearl & Tampax Radiant key ingredients are cotton and viscose rayon

Which Tampon Sizes Do you Need? Know Your Flow  - Related articles

How to Decide Between Pads and Tampons Title

Which Tampon Sizes Do you Need? Know Your Flow 

Article List

Period health

Articles

Tampon Truths

Fibers that help absorb and retain fluid.

Coating that helps fibers keep fluid away from you.

Benefit to Period Experience

Fibers that help absorb and retain fluid. Choosing organic tampons is a personal preference and there is no scientific evidence that suggests organic cotton is any safer for your body.

Thread used to sew tampon components together.

Fibers that help with smooth tampon removal.

Fibers that help channel fluid back to the core.

The cotton fibers in the tampon core are certified in accordance with the standard 100 by OEKO-TEX, which means they are tested for over 100 harmful substances, to ensure they can be used safely. All cotton used in Tampax products is free from elemental chlorine and free from chlorine dioxide.

Ethoxylated fatty acid esters work like a magnet to pull substances together that don't usually mix.

Next to water, glycerin is the most common ingredient used in cosmetics and personal care products. It is a colorless, scentless, thick liquid used in everything from the food industry to beauty products – to tampons!

Did You Know?

Our organic cotton is certified by OCS 100 Standard credential and seal that validates the integrity and quality of  our organic fibers.

Paraffin might sound familiar because you've likely used it your whole life – it has been cleared by the FDA as being safe, and is even in foods, like chewing gum.

Polyester has a long history of safe use in consumer and personal care products including menstrual pads and tampons

When it comes to period protection, comfort is key, and polyethylene helps enable a comfortable insertion and removal experience. They cannot be absorbed by the body and are effectively inert.

Used in the braid to deliver softness, durability, and protection.

The rayon fibers in the tampon core are certified in accordance with the standard 100 by OEKO-TEX, which means they are tested for over 100 harmful substances, to ensure they can be used safely. 
OEKO-TEX is an independent certification body for textile products  in the raw, semi-processed, or finished state, at all production levels.

Titanium Dioxide is a naturally occurring mineral and has been used safely in personal care products for years.

Tampax Pearl

Tampax Pure Cotton - Compare

Tampax Pure Cotton

Tampax Radiant - Compare

Tampax Radiant

Product comparisons - Ingredients & materials

Product comparisons

How to Decide Between Pads and Tampons

How to Manage a Heavy Period (aka Menstrual Menorrhagia)

Smartlabel Image

Two glasses with blood - Menstrual measurement

What is a Pad Image

What is tampon?

A pad is made of absorbent material that sticks to your underwear and you can wear them day or night. Like tampons, pads come in a variety of sizes to meet your flow needs. Using pads is really easy, but, they aren’t for everybody. Since they are worn outside your body, you may experience a wet feelin and the stress of constantly checking for leaks. Some pads are thinner and shorter, while others are thicker and longer, it all depends on personal preference and protection needs. Always Infinity Pads even have FlexFoam technology to give you up to zero feel, zero leaks, zero bunching and zero bulk - hopefully no more diaper-like sensation.

A pad is made of absorbent material

A tampon is a small, cylindrical bundle that is made of [cotton, rayon or a blend of cotton and rayon](/en-us/about/ingredients/what-tampons-are-made-of/). It’s inserted inside your vagina with an applicator or digitally (fancy way of saying fingers), where it absorbs menstrual blood before blood has a chance to come out of your body. It’s fully inside your body with the exception of a small string (which is there to help you pull out the tampon). It’s invisible protection and virtually unnoticeable - and if you’ve inserted it properly, you won’t feel that it’s there, which is pretty much the best-case scenario when you have your period and want to be comfortable. Just remember that you [shouldn’t wear a tampon for more than 8 hours](/en-us/tampon-truths/how-long-can-you-leave-a-tampon-in/). 

Tampons come in different sizes because your flow changes every day; you should tweak your tampon absorbency to match your flow. Tampax offers a range of 5 absorbencies, from light to ultra, to give you smooth removal for your lightest days and the ultimate protection on your heavy days. Another major perk? Tampons are pretty small, so you can easily stash a few in your bag or purse for on-the-go protection - you know, in case your period sneaks up on you or if you want to be a hero and share with a friend in the bathroom.

A tampon is a small, cylindrical bundle

__Pads__ 
Pads can be worn for almost any activity. Really, it’s all about what’s most comfortable for you. If you’re going swimming, or self-conscious about a pad not being yoga pant-approved, consider a tampon instead.

__Tampons__ 
Tampons can be worn for almost any activity or with any outfit, since they’re worn internally. It’s all about what’s most comfortable for you. They’re a great option to use when you want to swim on your period.

Active Lifestyle

### Active Lifestyle

Our products are designed to give you the comfort and protection you want with only the ingredients you need.

Anatomy of a tampon

### Anatomy of a tampon


Designed for comfort & protection

### Designed for comfort & protection with only ingredients you need

__Pads__ 
Simply check your pad to see if it is full or not. Psst: Did you know 60% of women wear the wrong size pad and can experience leaks? If that’s happened to you, try the next size up to get up to 20% better coverage day or night.

__Tampons__ 
This can be a bit tricky since they’re worn internally. It takes practice to get a good feel for your flow. Tampon leaks in just a few hours? Go up a size; Tampon uncomfortable to change? Go down a size. We recommend changing your tampon every 4-6 hours; use up 8 hours maximum.

Knowing When to Change

### Knowing When to Change

__Pads__ 
Pads come in a range of sizes for your unique shape and flow. Pick the size best for you based on panty size and when you’re wearing it – day or night. Don’t know your size, use the Always MyFit Quiz to find out

__Tampons__ 
Tampons come in five sizes to help give you great protection on your heaviest days and comfort on your lightest. Your flow changes every day, so your tampon can, too. Pick the lowest absorbency that matches your flow each day.

Light Flow to Heavy Flow

### Light Flow to Heavy Flow

__Pads__ 
There are pads designed for overnight use, so if you want to sleep in, turn off your alarm and do your thing.

__Tampons__ 
Day or night, tampons can be worn for up to 8 hours. They can stay in place no matter how you toss or turn.

Overnight Use 

### Overnight Use

__Pads__ 
There are no known health risks associated with using them. Just make sure you change them regularly as wearing a wet pad for long periods of time can cause mild skin irritation. You can still get TSS when you’re using a pad, but the risk is the same as not using any feminine hygiene protection.

__Tampons__ 
Tampons can absolutely be used safely. Just remember that they can increase your risk of TSS, so know the symptoms and what to do if you think you have it.

Safety

### Safety

### Tampax is the first period care product to use SmartLabel
All people have the right to understand what goes into the products they buy, so we will continue to feature Tampax ingredients on SmartLabel.org, Tampax.com, and our packaging so that when you reach for our products, you’ll know what is in them, that they are tested, and that they can be used safely.


SmartLabel Paragraph

Tampax Pearl & Tampax Radiant key ingredients are cotton and viscose rayon.

## What are the Safety Risks?
There aren’t many safety risks that come with the use of pads or tampons. Tampons, are associated with an increased risk of menstrual toxic shock syndrome (TSS), a rare life-threatening medical condition that occurs when normal bacteria in your system release toxins. Anyone can get TSS - men, women and children - but half the reported cases of TSS are associated with women using tampons. It is serious stuff; its possible symptoms include a high fever that comes on suddenly, low blood pressure, a sunburn-like rash, vomiting or diarrhea, confusion, muscle aches, headaches and seizures. So if you’ve been wearing a tampon and feel any of these symptoms, get to the hospital ASAP and make sure you tell the doctor you were wearing a tampon. Make sure you are always wearing the lowest absorbency for your flow and remember to wear your tampon for no longer than 8 hours.

What are the Safety Risks?

What Is a Pad?

## What Is a Pad?

What Is a Tampon?

## What Is a Tampon?

### What’s Better for Your Flow?
Really, it depends on a few factors - and your personal preference, obviously. If you’re torn, check this chart to compare different benefits. Also, don’t forget: You can even wear a pad and tampon at the same time if you want. It’s all your call.