What are tampons and menstrual cups?
Tampons are cotton or rayon, sometimes with a rayon sheath, bullet-shaped plugs that you insert into your vagina to a absorb menstrual flow. They have a string on the end that you use to pull the tampon back out. They are on-time use, and can only be left in for up to eight (8) hours. There is a small risk of something called TSS (toxic shock syndrome) so you need to watch yourself for any signs of becoming ill when using a tampon. They can sometimes be painful to remove because they soak up all fluid, including the vagina’s normal mucus lining… This makes it very dry and gives lots of friction. Because they are one-time use, they can be expensive and can greatly contribute to garbage. Menstrual cups, like tampons, can be worn during swimming and exercise. Menstrual cups are very flexible, bell-shped silicone cups which can be reused for up to 15 years (depending on manufacturer). Basically you just fold it up into a certain way and then insert into the vagina so it can catch menstru
