SANITARY PROTECTION

There is a wide range of sanitary protection available today, and it is up to each woman to decide which type is right for her - which is most comfortable, efficient and best suited to her own life style.

For several days out of every month all woman of reproducing age require some form of sanitary protection to absorb the blood flow of menstruation. And as this monthly menstruation continues for about 35 years of a woman’s life, except when she is pregnant, it is important that she should find the right type of protection to suit her needs.

TYPES OF PROTECTION

The most common types of sanitary protection are provided either internally by inserting a tampon, or externally by covering the vaginal area with a sanitary towel of some absorbent material.

Most sanitary towels are made up of a central layer of cellulose tissue surrounded by layers of either cotton, viscose or plastic. They come in a variety of types and sizes to suit different women. Looped towels are held in place by a special belt. Press-on towels have an adhesive underside by which they can be attached to ordinary pants, and are lighter and less bulky than looped towels. In addition there are also shaped towels, minipads and panty liners.

A tampon acts like an internal sanitary towel. It is of course much smaller in size than a sanitary towel and has a string attached to it by which it can be removed. Once inserted it expand either width ways or lengthways, depending on the brand, to fit the contours of the vagina and is thus able to absorb the menstrual flow. Larger sizes are more absorbent than smaller ones. Tampons are inserted with cardboard or plastic applicators, or directly by using the fingers.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT TYPE

The volume and thickness of the menstrual flow varies considerably from woman to woman and can change as she gets older or according to the type of contraceptive she uses. Her choice of sanitary protection should suit her needs and be both efficient and comfortable.

Active young women often prefer the freedom that a tampon provides. Its advantages over a sanitary towel is that it is less messy, prevents any unpleasant odour from occurring and does not produce any unsightly bulges, or any soreness between the legs due to rubbing. All sporting activities can be carried on as normal including swimming. There is no need to remove it when going to the lavatory or when having a bath. Any young girl can wear the smaller sized tampon whether or not she has had intercourse. It may, however, take little practice inserting it for the first time.

If a woman has a very heavy period, she may prefer to wear a combination of types for example, a tampon and a sanitary towel could both worn for the few days. On very light days a mini pad panty liner can often be quite adequate protection on its own.

Woman who prefer to use only towels should bear in mind just how much absorbency they need. Towels which are soluble - that is those which can be flushed down the lavatory - tend to be less absorbent than the non-soluble type. Some sanitary towels have a water proof backing to prevent blood from seeping through.

METHODS OF USE

Sanitary towels are very simple to use. The method are all fairly self explanatory and vary slightly depending on the particular type. If using a tampon for the first time it is probably advisable to use the applicator type as this will help to guide the tampon into the vagina. It is important to relax otherwise the muscles around the vagina tend to tighten up and will make insertion more difficult. Hand should be washed before and after insertion.

Once the tampon is in position it should feel comfortable. If it does not, this means that it has not been positioned correctly, and should be removed and another one put in. to remove the tampon, its string should be pulled firmly but gently in the opposite direction to that in which it was inserted by the woman.

Tampons should be changed regularly every three to four hours on heavy days, on lighter days at least twice a day. To check whether a tampon needs changing it s string can be given a gentle tug. If the tampon is saturated it will slip out with little resistance. When the period has come to an end it is extremely important to check that the last tampon has been removed, otherwise an infection can easily start up in the vagina.

To insert a sponge, first wet it in warm water and then squeeze it out well. Role it up and insert it in the same way as a tampon without an applicator. The sponge should be removed on every visit to the lavatory and rinsed in cool running water before it is re- inserted. The sponge should always be removed by its user before having a bath.

During a period to sponges can be used, each on alternate days. In this way the one not being used can have time to dry out. This process helps kill off any harmful bacteria that maybe present but to be on the safe side, the sponge should be boiled for a few minutes in between periods. Sponges usually last for several months before they have to be replaced by new ones.

The cap should be removed and rinsed out thoroughly several times a day.

DISPOSAL

Used tampons can be put straight down the lavatory. Flushable towels disintegrate on being flushed. However some needs shredding first and all external backings should be removed and flushed separately to avoid the risk of blocked pipes. Non soluble towels and non flushable tampon applicators should be placed in a nag an incinerated, or put into a special waste bin.

TOXIC SHOCK SYNDROME

There has been a lot of publicity over the last couple of years about the link between the use tampons and toxic shock syndrome. There has also been a case of a sponge user developing this condition. Doctors are still not entirely sure why tampons should cause toxic shock syndrome, the symptoms which are fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, aching joints and a skin rash. the strongest evidence so far suggest that it may be caused by using tampons with a higher absorbency strength than is needed. Once all the blood has been absorbed the tampon may start to absorb important vaginal secretions that are part of the vagina’s natural defence mechanism. The risks of getting toxic shock syndrome can also be lowered if tampons are alternated with the use of sanitary towels.

But finally, women should not worry unduly about toxic shock syndrome- provided care taken tampons are changed regularly, the risks would appear to be very small.