Whether you’re experiencing your very first ever period (congrats!) or you’ve gone through many, many menstrual cycles, there are lots of tampon myths and misconceptions out there that can leave you feeling pretty confused. Is it safe to sleep with a tampon in? Can tampons cause cancer? And do organic tampons really make a difference? These are some of the questions we’re answering in this post with the help of Dr. Bill Chun, physician/owner of Women’s Healthcare of Woburn and founder of the AskOBGYN Network.
No, a tampon can’t get lost in there.
“The vagina is a cul de sac, a dead-end street,” Dr. Chun says. In other words, once you put a tampon in, it’s not going anywhere until you take it out. But if you ever have any difficulty removing it for whatever reason, then it’s best to go see your doctor asap.
It’s safe to sleep with a tampon in.
Dr. Chun tells us it’s totally safe to sleep with a tampon in. However, please note that you shouldn’t leave a tampon in more than eight hours (ideally 4-6 hours). So be sure you insert a new tampon right before you go to sleep. And if you plan on sleeping in, then maybe an Organic Overnight Pad is a better way to go.
More absorbency isn’t always better.
Tampons with more absorbency should only be reserved for those days when your flow is really heavy. Otherwise, Dr. Chun recommends using tampons with less absorbency for a few hours and changing it out more often.
You don’t need to change your tampon out when you pee.
Although it may feel uncomfortable to go about your day with a tampon string hanging out that’s been peed on, you don’t necessarily have to change your tampon after every time you use the restroom. You can if you want to. That’s totally your call.
You can use tampons on your first period.
Dr. Chun says it’s perfectly fine to use tampons during your first-ever period. And yes, you will still be a virgin if you do so. No worries there. Check out our guide on how to properly insert a tampon for a step-by-step tutorial.
And if you’re still not feeling tampons, then Rael’s First Period Care Kit is the perfect thing for you. It comes with everything you need to get you through your first cycle including organic pads, natural feminine wipes, period panties, and a facial sheet mask.
Tampons don’t increase your risk of cancer.
“Tampons do not increase one's risk of cervical cancer, as most cervical cancers are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV),” Dr. Chun says. Not using tampons correctly or leaving them in for too long, however, does put you at risk of getting toxic shock syndrome (TSS) or vaginitis, which is an infection of the vagina. As long as you’re practicing proper tampon protocol though, you have nothing to worry about.
Yes, using organic tampons does make a difference.
“Vaginitis, bacterial vaginosis, and yeast infection are all on the rise,” Dr. Chun says. “This may be related to all the chemicals, plastic, and toxins in feminine hygiene products.” He recommends using organic and dye-free tampons, especially if you already struggle with the aforementioned feminine health issues. Rael’s Organic Cotton Tampons, for example, are made with certified organic cotton and BPA-free applicators. They don’t contain any fragrance, chlorine, pesticides, or GMOs. So there you have it. Consider all these tampon myths debunked.