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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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How Long Can you Leave a Tampon In?

Our Ingredients

Light

LIGHT

Regular

REGULAR

Super Plus

SUPER PLUS

Super

SUPER

Ultra

ULTRA

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 </br>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

What Everyone Should Know about Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) 

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Article List What Everyone Should Know about Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)

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

 How Long Can You Leave a Tampon In?

How to Decide Between Pads and Tampons Title

Tampon Ingredients: What are Tampons Made Of?

What Everyone Should Know about Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)

What You Need to Know About Menstrual Cups

Which Tampon Sizes Do you Need? Know Your Flow 

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Our Ingredients - Article List 

Tampon Truths

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Find Your Flow Quiz

How to Decide Between Pads and Tampons

Tampax Tampon Ingredients: What are tampons made of?

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PURE/Radiant ingredients

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Tampax Cardboard Applicator Tampon ingredients

Tampax image

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__ <br/>
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__ <br/>
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

Did you know you need to change tampon sizes to match</br>your changing period flow?

Watch this video to learn more:

Change Sizes to Match Your Flow

## Change Sizes</br>to Match Your Flow

Switch between tampon absorbencies throughout</br>your menstrual cycle for better comfort and protection.

## GO UP </br>or GO DOWN

Ingredient Transparency Paragraph - Radiant

__SMOOTH REMOVAL LAYER__
<br />Provides comfortable removal even on light days.

__ABSORBENT CORE__
<br />Provides protection by absorbing and storing menstrual fluid.

__LEAKGUARD BRAID™__
<br />Helps stop leaks before they happen.

__STRING__
<br />Used to remove the tampon.

Gently expands to your individual shape thanks to Tampax FormFit protection.

__APPLICATOR AND ANTI-SLIP GRIP__
<br />Helps to comfortably insert the tampon.

Ingredient Transparency Paragraph - Pearl

__SMOOTH REMOVAL LAYER__
<br />For easy removal. 

__ABSORBENT CORE__
<br />Provides protection by absorbing and storing menstrual fluid.
<br />Gently expands to your individual shape thanks to Tampax FormFit protection.

__LEAKGUARD BRAID™ Protection__
<br />Helps stop leaks before they happen.

__STRING__
<br />Used to remove the tampon.

__APPLICATOR AND ANTI-SLIP GRIP__
<br />Designed to help prevent your fingers from slipping and get your tampon in the right place

__Pads__ <br/>
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__ <br/>
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__ <br/>
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__ <br/>
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

At Tampax, we believe you deserve the best. We relentlessly pursue the best ingredients that can be used safely and we continuously assess every finished product to ensure safety. For example, rayon is a synthetic material derived from purified wood pulp and is processed into an absorbent cellulose fiber. This material helps our tampons prevent leaks, as it absorbs fluid quickly. 

Nothing but the best ingredients - paragraph

Nothing but the best ingredients - title

## Nothing but the best ingredients

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

__Tampons__ <br/>
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

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

Purposeful Design, intentional Ingredients

## Purposeful design, intentional ingredients

### What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Using a Menstrual Cup?
There are a few major advantages of using a period cup. The first is that it’s reusable. That not only saves you money in the long run - ka-ching - but you’re also not stuck bumming tampons off your friends if you run out. Instead, you can just rinse, wash, and use it again. You can safely wear a menstrual cup for up to 12 hours, although you may want to switch it up sooner. Unlike pads, it’s invisible and generally sensation-free so long as you’ve inserted it correctly.

The drawback is that it can be tricky to insert properly, especially if you’ve never used one before. Menstrual cups come with a bit of a learning curve that typically takes a couple cycles to get the hang of, and it’s one that forces you to get up close and VERY personal with your vagina. If you don’t get the seal right once it’s in there, the cup could leak. A menstrual cup is also a little messy: Since you don’t just toss it as you would with pads and tampons, you have to clean it by rinsing it with mild soap and water every time before you reinsert it. That can be hard to do in a public bathroom, and we’re not even including the fact that the cup can make a weird sound as you’re pulling it out. 
## How Do You Use a Menstrual Cup?
Like so many things in life, a little practice can go a long way. Here’s how to use a menstrual cup if you’re a first-timer.
### Step 1: Fold Your Menstrual Cup
Start by taking a deep breath. Then, fold your menstrual cup. There are a few ways to do this, and it all depends on which way you feel most comfortable. The easiest way - and thus a go-to for beginners - is the C-fold, in which you press the cup flat, pinch it in the middle and fold it over so it creates a C shape. 

### Step 2: Insert the Folded Cup
Next, insert the folded cup into your vagina as you would with a tampon. Once you release it, the cup will open up. To make sure it adheres to the wall of your vagina, gently tug on the stem a few times and rotate it in a circle. You shouldn’t be able to feel it once it’s in — and if you do, just take it out and try it again. Practice makes perfect, true, but even some of us who’ve been using menstrual cups for years need to redo it once or twice to make sure it’s in right.
### Step 3: Remove the Menstrual Cup
Once you’re ready to remove your cup, you need to first break the seal. Heads up: Just like inserting it, this process can also take a minute, so don’t sweat if it takes a few tries. It helps to start in a squatting position. First, feel around for the stem. Once you find it, pinch the base of the cup (not the stem) to break the seal and remove it carefully, since the last thing you want is to spill it on your clothes. You can dump the menstrual fluid in the toilet, sink, or shower - whichever is more convenient.
## How to Keep Your Cup Clean
As we mentioned, the thing about menstrual cups is that they can be a little messier than your average tampon. Every time you remove it, you should wash it out with water and soap before inserting it again. (You can also use a wipe if you don’t have access to a sink.) Once your period is over, give your cup a deeper clean by dropping it into a pot of boiling water. Let it hang out there for at least five to seven minutes, dry it completely, and return it to its cute storage case.

Cleaning your menstrual cup is super-important, so make sure to follow the package instructions. And you should replace it every year.
## When to Use a Menstrual Cup
There are no rules when it comes to your period care. You can use a menstrual cup whenever you want, and do so without ditching your tampons and pads - it just depends on what works for you. For instance, a menstrual cup might be great overnight, while a tampon may work better if you know you won’t be able to clean your cup properly between uses (looking at you, grimy public bathrooms). Or maybe you want to use a menstrual cup and a pad at the same time. It’s all good, because becoming a menstrual cup user doesn’t make it the end-all, be-all. You’ve got options!
## Which Menstrual Cup Is Right for You?
You can find menstrual cups at your local drugstore or online - seriously, it’s easy to find once you know what to look for. Most menstrual cups come in a few different sizes depending on how heavy your flow is. Since your flow can vary month-to-month and throughout your period it’s your best bet for figuring out the right fit for you. 

Rich text 1

At Tampax, your safety and comfort come first. We're committed to bringing you period protection that's backed by rigorous safety and quality standards. Our tampon ingredients undergo extensive safety evaluation before we use them in our products including a thorough science-based multi-step evaluation process. 

Plus, Tampax tampons are tested by independent, reputable scientific laboratories. For example, they have been tested for up to 1,000 harmful substances, including heavy metals, by OEKO-TEX. And they have certified we meet their stringent safety criteria.

We are constantly looking for new and innovative ways to bring you safe period protection with our tampons. This includes working with experts, reviewing third-party studies and regulations, and conducting our own scientific research.

We are proud of and confident in the safety of our tampons. It is our mission to empower women to live life more fully and freely with safe, reliable protection that gives her comfort and confidence at every stage of life. 

To know more about our safety process, visit [this article](/en-us/about/ingredients/ingredient-safety/).

Safety First - paragraph

Safety First - title

## Safety first

__Pads__ <br/>
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__ <br/>
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

Tabel 3

<div class="tablethree">
  <table>
    <tr>
      <th>Ingredient</th>
      <th>Benefit</th>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Rayon</td>
      <td>Fibers that help absorb and retain fluid</td>
    </tr>
     <tr>
      <td>Cotton</td>
      <td>Fibers that help absorb and retain fluid</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Polypropylene</td>
      <td>Fibers that help channel fluid back to the core</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Polyethylene</td>
      <td>Fibers that help with smooth removal</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Polyester</td>
      <td>Thread that sews tampon together</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Glycerin</td>
      <td>Coating that helps fibers wick fluid</td>
    </tr>
     <tr>
      <td>Paraffin</td>
      <td>Wax that helps keep string clean</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Ethoxylated Fatty Acid Esters</td>
      <td>Coating that helps fibers wick fluid</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>PEG-100 Stearate</td>
      <td>Coating that helps fibers wick fluid</td>
    </tr>
  </table>

</div>


Table one

<div class="tableoneTransparency">
  <table>
    <tr>
      <th>Ingredient</th>
      <th>Benefit</th>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Rayon</td>
      <td>Fibers that help absorb and retain fluid</td>
    </tr>
     <tr>
      <td>Cotton</td>
      <td>Fibers that help absorb and retain fluid</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Polypropylene</td>
      <td>Fibers that help channel fluid back to the core</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Polyethylene</td>
      <td>Fibers that help with smooth removal</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Polyester</td>
      <td>Thread that sews tampon together</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Glycerin</td>
      <td>Coating that helps fibers wick fluid</td>
    </tr>
     <tr>
      <td>Paraffin</td>
      <td>Wax that helps keep string clean</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Ethoxylated Fatty Acid Esters</td>
      <td>Coating that helps fibers wick fluid</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>PEG-100 Stearate</td>
      <td>Coating that helps fibers wick fluid</td>
    </tr>
  </table>
</div>

Vetted and validated by 3rd party experts - title

## Vetted and validated by 3rd party experts

Tampons have an important job: to absorb and lock-in your period flow to help you avoid leaks, so you can focus on what matters. To help prevent leaks, Tampons are primarily made from absorbent ingredients like purified cotton, rayon fibers, or a blend of both. Since a tampon is considered a medical device, our products are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).<br/><br/>


We know you’re here to get the facts about what your tampon is made of—so let’s get to it. 

## We know you’re here to get the facts about what your tampon is made of — so let’s get to it. 

## 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.