As taboo as it has always been to have feminine hygiene and women’s health conversations in the open, in today’s society, where women are more empowered than they’ve ever been before, no topic is off limits. As such, today’s blog post is all about TAMPONS.
Although I’ve been familiar with the concept of tampons from a young age, I didn’t actually start using them myself until well into my adult life. Mainly because of a lack of education and misconceptions I had on the use of tampons. I didn’t fully understand how to use them or know how exactly they worked. Similar to my experience, a recent survey conducted by Tampax Radiant found that 55% of black women say additional information on how to properly use a tampon would be useful. They also found that of all the African American women surveyed, those who prefer pads tend to associate negative words to describe tampons – most frequently: uncomfortable (51%), painful (27%), and unsafe (26%).
To help set the record straight about tampons and share helpful information about periods with black women everywhere, Tampax Radiant launched the #LiveRadiant campaign – an informative and insightful project that aims to reverse period miseducation in the black community. Tampax Radiant believes that no woman should have to live the #padlife just because she didn’t learn how to properly use a tampon or worse, avoided tampons because she received false or scary information about them. Through the #LiveRadiant campaign, Tampax Radiant wants to give black women the period and product education they need to focus on living their most radiant life every day of the month, because educated women are empowered women.
Common Myths:
1.Tampons are uncomfortable.
This is a misconception. Tampons are perfectly comfortable when you insert them correctly.
2.You can lose a tampon inside your vagina.
Wrong. You can’t lose a tampon in your vagina because the only other opening is through the cervix at the top of your vagina, but it is way too small for a tampon to pass through.
3.You can’t use tampons for your first period/tampons are not appropriate for young girls.
This is also a misconception. There are no rules about the best protection for your first period, and no age requirement to use a tampon.
4.Tampons are dangerous.
This is a myth. When used correctly, tampons are safe. Just make sure to follow the directions.
5.Using tampons will give you Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS).
Anyone can get TSS. That’s right, even your dad, your grandma, or your brother can get TSS, it’s not just girls/women who use tampons.
