TAMPONS

Definition:

A tampon is a mass of absorbent material inserted into a body cavity or wound

to absorb bodily fluid.

Types and size:

 With applicators
 The applicator usually consists of two tubes, one inside the other.
 Without applicators

Tampons are grouped together as:

 Junior or slim, for very light days

 Regular, for normal flow
 Super, for heavy days
 Super plus/ultra, for very heavy flow

Each size indicates the amount of menstrual fluid it can absorb

Tampon insertion procedure:

1. Wash hands and don gloves

2. Unwrap the tampon
3. Position patient in lithotomy position and provide privacy
4. Hold the tampon firmly on either side of the dotted line and twist
sharply in opposite directions.
5. Remove the bottom piece of wrapper so that the string is exposed and
pull the string so that it hangs down.
6. Hold the tampon by the string and then remove the other half of the
wrapper
7. Don’t touch it too much or place it on any surface.
8. Tampons should be held at the end where the string is positioned.
9. Tell the patient to stay as relaxed as possible so that the muscles around
the vagina don’t tighten.
10.Separate the labia using your non dominant hand
11.Slant the tampon towards the patient’s lower back and ease it into the
vagina by pushing it with your index finger as far as it will go.
12. Make sure you keep the tampon at an angle and don’t try and push it
straight. This will help make things as easy and comfortable as possible.
The string should also stay outside the body so that it can be easily
removed later on.
13.Push the tampon in further or remove it and try again if patient feels any
discomfort of pressure as it may mean that you haven’t inserted the
tampon far enough or correctly.

Insertion of tampon with applicator:

1. Gently insert it into the vaginal opening (string side down) until the
small indentation on the applicator’s side is reached, about halfway
up.
2. While holding onto the indentation with two fingers, push the
applicator’s inner tube towards patient with your index finger. As you
do this, the tampon will slide out from the applicator and inside
patient’s body.
3. Push gently and slowly until it stops, and then pull the applicator out.
4. You can now throw the applicator away.

Tampon removal:

1. A light tug on the string indicates time to change the tampon. If the
tampon doesn’t slide out easily, it should be left in for a bit longer.
2. Tampons should be changed about every four hours, depending on
the heaviness of bleeding. But, the tampon can be left in for a
maximum of eight hours if it won’t budge.
3. To remove the tampon pull the string at the same angle at which the
tampon was inserted. If the string cannot be found, wash hands, and
remove the tampon with your fingers
Complications:

 Toxic shock syndrome (TSS): TSS is thought to be caused by the growth

of streptococcus that can sometimes develop when tampons are left in
too long.