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Which Tampon Sizes Do You Need? Know Your Flow

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Which Tampon Sizes Do you Need? Know Your Flow 

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How to Decide Between Pads and Tampons

Tampon Truths - Things You Can (and Can’t) Do With a Tampon

Things You Can (and Can’t) Do With a Tampon

Tampon Truths - Do Tampons Take Your Virginity?

Do Tampons Take Your Virginity?

A Gynecologist Busts 9  Common Myths About Tampons

Period Health - How Long Can you Leave a Tampon In?

How Long Can you Leave a Tampon In?

You have questions about the tampons? Find out the answers and truths about our tampons.

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How Long Can You Leave a Tampon In?

How Long Can You Leave a Tampon In | Tampax®

Is it bad to sleep with a tampon? Can a tampon get lost inside you? Get the medically accurate facts to these 9 common tampon questions.

Gynecologist Busts 9 Common Myths about Tampon

Gynecologist Busts 9 Common Myths about Tampons | Tampax®

Need help deciding between tampons vs pads. Use this guide to compare the pros and cons and find out the best protection for your period.

Tampons Vs. Pads: Which is better for your period?

Tampons Vs. Pads: Which is better for your period? | Tampax®

Can a tampon get lost in your body? What do you do if a tampon is stuck. Get the facts from gynecologist, Dr. Holmes.

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Worried About A Lost Tampon Or Getting A Tampon Stuck? | Tampax®

Is your period normal or irregular? light or heavy? What tampon size should you get? Know your flow and what it means for your health and period protection.

Which Tampon Sizes Do You Need? Know Your Flow | Tampax®

Menstrual cups can offer an eco-friendly alternative to tampons and pads with up to 12 hours of period leak protection. Learn how it works.

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Menstrual Cup: What is it & How to Use It | Tampax®

Find the basic can and can'ts when it comes to wearing a tampon. Can you shower with a tampon? Or go to the bathroom with a tampon? Get answers.

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Follow these easy step-by-step instructions for how to insert and use a tampon. Learn how to remove a tampon and when you should change it out.

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When it comes to your period, paying attention to your menstrual flow can pay off in several ways. Obviously, it can simplify your life to know when to expect your period and plan for having tampons on hand to help you manage it. 

Beyond convenience, knowing your flow is also important for your health. If your flow is too heavy, it can cause health problems, or it might signal a medical condition. And even knowing the right tampon sizes to use can have an impact on your health. No joke. 

There’s a lot to know about your period flow, so let’s go!


What’s Better for Your Flow?

What Everyone Should Know about Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)

How do I earn donation points?

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There are three easy ways to earn donation points with the Always You App.

1. Earn up to 20 points each time you track your period or a bladder leak event.
2. Earn up to 10 points per day for completing your Microsteps.
3. Earn up to 5 points for each piece of content you consume.

Different Tampax applicators for different flow

Overnight Use

By: Dr. Melisa Holmes, OB-GYN, & Founder, Girlology

As a gynecologist, I love helping my patients understand their bodies and how they work. It’s important for us to educate ourselves and take charge of our health. Sometimes, in an effort to research an illness or health concern, we find unreliable sources online, and end up with information that’s not only wrong, but sometimes even dangerous. I’m glad you came to the right place.

When it comes to tampons, I’ve probably heard it all! So here are nine common myths I’ve heard over and over, and the medically accurate facts to bust them.

Do you know the truth about tampons? Let’s find out.Hello


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How do I use a Period Tracker?

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Simply input the length of your average period and the length of your last period, and let the period calculator do the rest. If you have no idea how long between your periods, make a note the next time it starts and when it ends so you have it on hand for next month.

You can also use a period tracker for way more than just predicting bleed week. Since ovulation usually occurs on the 14th day of your cycle (with Day 1 of your cycle being the first day you bleed), you can also learn and track peak ovulation.

How do I use a
Period Tracker?

Can You Flush Tampons? The Facts on Tampon Disposal and Recycling Tampax

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Track your menstrual cycle and predict your ovulation period.

TRACK YOUR PERIOD IN LESS THAN 30 SECONDS

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Learn what happens in the 28 days of your menstrual cycle. View a breakdown of the menstrual, follicular, ovulation, and luteal phases.

Understanding the Menstrual Cycle Phases

Menstrual Cycle Phases | Tampax®

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Switch between tampon absorbencies throughoutyour menstrual cycle for better comfort and protection.

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How do menstrual calculators work?

Period calender  - How do menstrual calculators work?

Glad you asked. Basically, your body runs on a four-part “menstrual cycle” — and while you might assume that phrase means just the week of bleeding, in actuality, your menstrual cycle also refers to the weeks you don’t bleed.

You start with the menstrual cycle (your period, when the lining of your uterus sheds), followed by the follicular phase (when the follicles in your ovaries mature and get ready for the prime time: ovulation), then comes ovulation (when the egg is released), followed finally by the luteal phase (when the egg makes its way down your fallopian tubes and gets ready to bleed). Knowing this, you can track your period and your cycle.

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By: Dr. Melisa Holmes, OB-GYN, & Founder, Girlology

## Can a Tampon Get Lost in My Body?
This is one of the most common questions I hear from new tampon users! So let me just start with the good news: NOPE! A tampon CANNOT get lost in your body. 
Even though your vagina connects your outside parts with the “inside” of your body, there’s basically a dead end at the top of the vagina - it’s called your cervix, and there’s no way a tampon can go past that. The cervix is a barrier between the vagina and the uterus. Nothing can get above the cervix unless it’s liquid or microscopic in size!
## What if my tampon is stuck?
If you have a lost or stuck tampon, it’s not really stuck, it’s just high in your vagina and it may be squished sideways, making it hard to reach. This is most common if you accidentally forgot to take out a tampon before inserting a new one, or if you had sex without remembering to remove your tampon first (it’s not a good idea to have [sex with a tampon in](/en-us/period-health/)!). There are still some things you can try that make it easier to find and get out. Keep reading!
## How to Remove a Stuck Tampon
First, wash your hands, then squat down, put your finger in your vagina and sweep it around in a circle. You’ll probably be able to feel the tampon, but getting it out can still be difficult. If you can’t sweep it out, insert two fingers and try to grasp it. If you squat and bear down (like you’re pooping), it can help bring the tampon closer to the vaginal opening and make it easier to remove. If you still can’t get it out or you just don’t feel comfortable with that, remember that you should not wear a tampon more than 8 hours, so you’ll need to get help from your ob-gyn or family doctor as soon as possible.
## What if the tampon string breaks?
This is such a common worry, but as much as we worry about it, I have rarely if ever seen a string break when a tampon is being used normally. If you look closely at a Tampax tampon, you’ll see that the string is sewn all the way up the tampon. It’s not just attached at the end. That makes it super hard for it to pull off or break. You can feel confident that the string will not break if you’re using a tampon normally.
## How to Know If There’s a Tampon In Your Vagina?
If your string is hidden, it’s also possible that you totally forget that there’s still a tampon somewhere up in there. Don’t let the thought of that make you panic. Mother Nature has her way of providing other reminders - like odors. A long lost tampon will begin to make itself known through a strong (horrible) odor that is clearly not normal. If that starts to happen, it’s time to dig around, find it and pull it out or get to your doctor for some help right away. Don’t be embarrassed. In the medical profession, we call it a retained tampon, and we all have been there and removed that - more than you would imagine!
## What if I can’t find my tampon?
That’s a more common scenario than a broken string. Sometimes, a tampon may seem “lost” because the string and the tampon get pushed higher into the vagina. When that happens, it’s simple to remove it, and you can probably do it yourself. 
To get it out, just wash your hands, squat down, put your finger in your vagina, and you’ll probably be able to feel it and pull it out. If you can’t feel it, can’t reach it, or just don’t feel comfortable with that, see your doctor as soon as you can. And don’t be embarrassed, we do things like that more than you’d imagine!
## When to seek medical attention for a “lost” or stuck tampon?
A lost tampon is not usually an emergency, but it should be taken care of as quickly as possible. If you feel fine, but suspect a lost tampon and can’t remove it yourself, call your OB-GYN doctor’s office first. Often they will see you right away or they’ll direct you to an urgent care center. You’ll want to get it removed as soon as possible. However, if you suspect a retained tampon and you develop any of the signs or symptoms of TSS, you should go directly to the nearest emergency room and let them know you may have a stuck tampon and you’re worried about TSS.


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What Is a Tampon?

# Things You Can (and Can’t) Do With a Tampon


Are tampons flushable? How do you properly dispose of them? Find tips and more answers on flushing tampons.

Can You Flush Tampons?

Can You Flush Tampons? | Tampax®

Toxic Shock Syndrome is a serious illness that can impact anyone. Learn the causes, symptoms, and treatment options. Get tips for preventing TSS.

What Everyone Should Know About Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)

As much as we love the Internet and all its cat memes, there is also a lot of misinformation floating around. Recently, we’ve seen those less-than-accurate “facts” popping up around tampons. Not cool, Internet. If you’re a first-time tampon user, curious about tampons, or even a period pro, sometimes it’s easy to get confused. You search something as simple as “can you shower with a tampon in” and there’s a very real chance you’re going to get some weird, definitely not true answers. A lot of people think they’re an expert, but in reality they might be spreading some very wrong info.

As legit experts, we here at Tampax thought it was time to clear up a few popular misconceptions by answering some of your most pressing period and tampon questions. If you’ve ever wondered things like does your period stop in the shower, or can you go to the bathroom with a tampon in, then you’ve come to the right place. 

Here are the most common tampon questions, answered by people who actually know what they’re talking about.


The Period and Wellness Tracking app that helps #EndPeriodPoverty as you use it.

Let’s put this one to rest once and for all. You should only use a tampon for up to 8 hours. So, if you’re asking can you sleep with a tampon in, the short answer is yes. Your tampon doesn’t know if it’s day or night and will work the same while you sleep, just be sure to only use a tampon for up to 8 hours. Given that you may sleep for eight hours, when you’re about to hit the sheets and are planning to sleep with a tampon in, first be sure to put in a new one, and then remove the tampon as soon as you wake up. . 

If you’re super exhausted and think you’ll sleep longer than that, you should wear a pad instead. If you’re worried about tampon timing because you’ve heard of Toxic Shock Syndrome - know that how long you wear a tampon does not increase your risk of TSS. You can learn more about [Toxic Shock Syndrome here](/en-us/period-health/toxic-shock-syndrome-causes-treatment/).

Find your flow combo with Tampax Pearl

__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

## What Is a Menstrual Cup?
A menstrual cup is a cup made of medical-grade silicone that’s specially designed to fit into your vagina. You insert it during your period so it can collect (rather than absorb) your blood; its edges conform to your vagina so it creates a pretty foolproof seal when it’s inserted properly - more on that in a bit. Then, once you remove it, you can dump out that blood, rinse out your cup with soap and water (or the wipes that are packaged with the cup), and put it back in for another round of period cover. Genius, right? The process should be painless, and the silicone material means you can reuse it month after month for up to 1-year.


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Your flow is different every day.  
Your tampon should be, too.

#### Find your flow combo with Tampax Pearl

Light Flow to Heavy Flow

Questions & Answers

Ultra

ULTRA

Pads and tampons are two of the most popular ways to deal with period blood — if not the most popular ways - and for good reason: They work, and they work really well. Easy…right? Sort of. Deciding which one you should use can be complicated, because the right choice is different for everyone, varies according to the protection you need, and depends on what makes you feel most comfortable. Your choice is definitely not one-size-fits-all here. Going to the beach? Grab a tampon. Just had a baby? Maybe use a pad. Here, we lay out all the different factors that should go into your decision of choosing between tampons vs pads.