TAMPONS are evolved Sanitary Napkins

Why do I write about Tampons ?

The desperation to write this blog was, because of the fact that i am PMSing. Yes, for those who don't know what it is, then don't google just ask your girlfriend, sister or mom or just read ahead. Premenstrual Syndrome is PMS. I do not want to write about PMSing, but about the discomfort during the cycle. The real frustration is not even PMS or the actual menstrual cycle but, about the lack of awareness about the hygiene and comforters needed during this time.

I agree we have a better life than our older generation with respect to the evolution of the human kind, when it comes to accepting the god given and rather natural phenomenon of bleeding every month. This period of time is still regarded as taboo in India. I am glad that our opposite gender is being exposed to it more and more through ads and general awareness to such an extent that a 5th standard boy asks his mom to get him some sanitary pads to absorb the spilled ink on his notebook. Nonetheless bad publicity is also a publicity(trying to see the good side of life).

Coming back to my frustration and uneasiness with regards to the unawareness and taboo outlook towards sustaining the difficult days of the month. Just like the sanitary pads have been our good friends in our bad times, we now have best friends in our bad times and those are TAMPONS. You probably know, what i am talking about and have an opinion about it or you are really unaware but inquisitive and still reading on. In any other case, i am still writing ahead. Like any woman whose is newly introduced to tampons, i was curious and a bit skeptical about how it works and if it is safe or not.

How did I get introduced to Tampons?

I got introduced to them during my stay in Germany. My open-to-all and ready-to-try-new nature got me a lot of good friends. When asked about how to use a Tampon, a really close friend of mine told me about the advantages of using it  and gave me 2 to try. So basically, tampons are rolled and compact sanitary pads. For you to quickly imagine what they actually look like i would say look at your index finger, that's how they look like with respect to length and breadth. When it comes to using it then that is where the whole taboo outlook comes in the scene. Today if Tampons are used by any percent of the population, then they are only the educated class. I would rather say, the women who have stayed abroad or have woman friends staying abroad. This has to change. We need to spread the word as wide as possible and with no inhibitions. Even now when i write this article, only a specific group of women are going to read it. If men read it, not all are going to forward it to their female friends or family. Just like another zillion topics that we Indians refrain from talking about, periods and tampons are one of them. I would encourage more and more women to come out and start talking about it. Let your male child, friends and family know what it is all about in the sanitray pad advertisements and that it is as natural as the body itself. These tampons have to be inserted into your vagina with your (specifically) middle finger so that they go in properly. They have a string attached at the end from where you insert it in, tug it before inserting just to be sure that there are strings attached (what a bad movie reference). It is the most comfortable thing that has happened to woman kind. There are number of questions i know that you might have while reading this but frankly i am not a doctor so i can only guide you on why to use it. I have used it for 7-8 times i.e since 7-8 periods. The very first time i used it i had a problem walking and felt like i have a stone stuck in my vagina but when i asked my girlfriend about it she said that i have not inserted it properly and assured me that if it hurts then it is not properly inserted. So, going by her instructions i inserted in the tampon and then for the next 4 hours i dint know if i was bleeding. My periods had never been so comforting. Tampons are a boon to women and i would say we indian women should surely use it without keeping any taboos in head or any superstitions in mind. The point of time when i first used tampons was so vulnerable, as it was my time of the month, alone in the city, weather was gruesome (European winters are harsh) and i had no one by my side to just be the way i am. Girls and ladies would know what am i trying to say. It might sound melodramatic and it probably is but i know the comfort i had when i used Tampons. I know the carefree me, the confident me and the no-embarrassment-for-sure attitude i had that day made my day at work pass by in a jiffy. I remember changing the Tampon once in that day and i was good till i got home. Using tampons is not losing your virginity(not something that bothered me ever but still just saying). Please consult a doctor if you doubt.

How to use the Tampons?

To make you more familiar with these tampons let me tell you more about my encounter with them. So, when my friend gave me 2 from her pack they were wrapped in plastic. I wouldn't compare it with anything food item it looked like, because then you might not like eating that thing ever again. Anyway, i peeled off the plastic the first couple of times, later inventing that i just had to twist it and the wrapper comes off. You can learn from my stupidity and not peel but twist. Another tip would be that it would be more feasible if you could rest your one leg on some stool or somewhere or simply squat on the floor while inserting the tampon as it has to be inserted carefully. There are applicators, that also come with the tampons. You can use these applicators to insert the Tampon rightly in.

Which Tampons to use?

There are a lot of videos explaining how to insert the tampon with or without an applicator. The tampons that i first used and continue using are the Tampons by OB (a product of Johnson and Johnson). You get them in Supermarkets and you can also order them online on amazon.in. Amazon is the only online store that sells it online(for whatever reasons). Try them and you will know why am i insisting so much and saying, that women have to evolve when it comes to the "taboo" topic of using tampons during periods. I regret not having introduced to them earlier, which would have reduced the days of embarrassment in my life. Now, I do not worry of the times when i sleep at night or go for a sleepover at a friend's place. I do not worry of the times when i wear trousers, a dress or anything else. The only thing to keep in mind is that different Tampons have different sustenance power just like the sanitary pads. For example, the OB tampons by Johnson and Johnson have Normal and Super sustenance. You have to decide which one to wear, according to your flow. The Tampons are usually suggested not to be used more than 4-5 hours, but again depending on how much is your flow and which Tampon are you using, you can decide when to change. Another important tip would be that if you know that you might not get a chance to change the Tampon and it might be just be an over due to use it more than 4 hours, then please wear a panty liner or a short length sanitary pad, yet again to be safe.  I have been successful in convincing 2 of my close friends to use it. They both do not regret to have been convinced for this by me. :)

Tampons are a freedom from the tension, wetness, odour and discomfort of sanitary pads. I am glad i got introduced to them and I am happily using them (better late than never)