Dear Editor,
Madam/Sir, Menstruation is a typical
physiological phenomenon that occurs in the body of a female every month to
control the women who utilize various sorts of blood. One of these materials that
is gaining popularity is the tampon. Tampons are a type of menstrual
product that is inserted into the vaginal canal to collect vaginal
secretions and blood during the menstrual cycle.
Tampon usage has several drawbacks despite
its high absorbency. Tampons possess a tendency to absorb dissolved fluids in
the vagina alongside blood from the periods. This could change the conditions
and pH of the vagina and result in infections in females. Moreover, using dirty
hands to insert tampons or leaving them in for long periods can increase the
risk of bacterial and yeast infections as well as the rare but dangerous
condition known as Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)1.
A rare but possibly deadly sickness linked occasionally to tampon use and
brought on by a bacterial toxin.
There are several reports of additional adverse effects which have been
observed in females using tampons including vaginal irritation leading to
allergic response caused by Irritant materials or compounds found in tampons2. Hazardous metals, including arsenic, lead
and mercury, have been found in tampons recently; these metals can pose a
serious risk to human health. Tampons, for instance, may contain up to 16
dangerous metals, according to Shearston, et al.3.
This could increase the risk of cancer and harm organs. The information
highlights the need for more stringent regulations and safer tampon products3. Regional differences exist in the
cultural ideas on menstruation and menstrual products. In countries like
Pakistan, where menstruation is often stigmatized, the use of tampons may be
prohibited due to cultural and religious beliefs4. In contrast, in countries such as the
USA, tampon use is widespread and quite normalized. It is essential to develop
effective educational campaigns and wider global access to safe menstruation
products so that these cultural distinctions can be recognized.
Women can't make choices about their
reproductive health if they don't have the tools and education about
menstruation. Therefore, ensuring all women can access sanitary and safe period
products, along with promoting menstruation literacy and breaking the stigma
surrounding the issue, is vital.
To minimize the risk, tampon use should be
limited during the menstrual cycle, tampons need to be replaced every 4-6 hours;
this way, useless effects can be decreased due risk of body waste. You should
also select the lowest absorbency tampons needed for your flow and not use them
immediately. You'll need to see a doctor if you have strange side effects like
pain or fever. Organic cotton and other safer alternative period products, such
as pads and cups, are an option to conventional tampons.
Additional studies are required to better
comprehend the degree of metal absorption and its associated health hazards so
that women who use tampons can be protected from future harmful effects.
In conclusion, the safety profile of
tampons is a critical problem that has to be addressed. From the data
currently available, using tampons can subject individuals to potential
health risks like heavy metal exposure, bacterial growth and vaginal
irritation. Putting women's health and wellness can be accomplished by
encouraging menstrual awareness and education alongside using less
hazardous, healthier period products. Together, we can ensure that every woman can
go through her period with dignity and safety. It is time to change direction.
Final approval of manuscript for
publication
All authors.
Conflict of interest
None.
Declaration of competing interest
None.
Ethical approval
Not Applicable.
Consent
Not Applicable.
Acknowledgments
None.
Funding
None.
References