Uncover the misconceptions surrounding the ubiquitous menstrual product.&nbsp;

It&rsquo;s hard to find the right period product, especially when the reproductive health of people with uterus continues to be overlooked. Today, the choices are expanding &ndash; from diva cups to the traditional sanitary pads to the tampon. The latter, one of the more controversial menstrual products, still faces polarized responses.&nbsp;
 <a href="https://nalawoman.ph/">Nala</a>, one of the country&rsquo;s more progressive reproductive health brands recently launched their <a href="https://nalawoman.ph/collections/tampons/products/nala-organic-tampons-meta">Nala Tampons Starter Kit</a>, which includes an applicator, often rare in most tampon packs. The applicator is designed with a soft, rounded tip, allowing simple insertion and a smooth glide.
The brand, known for its more sustainable approach to reproductive health, is taking its stand on the side of tampons. Below, L&rsquo;Officiel Philippines lists five myths about tampons, debunked.

Myth #1: Tampons hurt
While they do not necessarily hurt, they are at most, uncomfortable. Understandably, a small lump of cotton sitting in your vaginal area may not be the most relaxing thought but the idea that pain is involved is often exaggerated. As per <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324403#5.-Tampon-myths">Medical News Today</a>, &ldquo;during menstruation, the blood lubricates the vagina, inserting a tampon should not be uncomfortable, if done correctly.&rdquo; Below are Nala's 3 steps in demonstrating how to correctly use a tampon.

Myth #2: Wearing tampons can mean the loss of virginity
Among the tampon&rsquo;s biggest criticisms, the "loss of virginity," or in scientific terms, the breaking of the hymen, is one of the more prevailing concerns. A number of people generally believe that wearing a tampon will mean the <a href="https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/use-tampon.html">stretch or tear of the hymen</a>, the supposed mark of virginity. While wearing a tampon can lead to the breakage of the hymen, there are other causes of hymen breakage (sports among other things), and some people are born without hymens to begin with.&nbsp;

Myth #3: Tampons can get lost in the vagina
<a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324403#5.-Tampon-myths">Experts</a> have noted this to be impossible, as there is nowhere else for the tampon to go. For starters, the average depth of a vagina is only <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321220">3.77 inches</a> and tampons are normally attached with a string for a more convenient pull. Aside from that, the cervix is found atop the vagina, and the opening is far too small for a tampon to enter.

Myth #4: ALL tampons cause Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)
<a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/toxic-shock-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20355384">Toxic Shock Syndrome</a> is a condition that affects menstruating individuals, caused by the release of the <a href="https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/understanding-mrsa">staph</a> bacteria in the body, and commonly affiliated with tampon usage. Experts deem, however, that super-absorbent tampons are more likely to induce TSS, as the bacteria would find a blood-soaked environment better for cultivation, especially when left unchanged for too long. Apart from that, there is also a material preference, with bacterias opting polyester foam over cotton or rayon fiber for growth. Some preventive efforts include alternating sanitary pads and tampons depending on the day&rsquo;s flow and changing the tampon periodically, particularly in 4-8 hour intervals. However, consulting with a medical professional is highly recommended.

Myth #5: Organic tampons are better
While there has yet to be a concrete scientific reference to support the superiority of <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/organic-tampons-review#Heres-what-I-learned">organic tampons</a> over regular tampons in body protection, the main idea comes with the fact that organic tampons are just made more consciously. Regular tampons are typically exposed to pesticides, as they accompany the cotton that makes up the product. For Nala, their tampons are made with 100% organic GOTS-certified cotton and a biodegradable cardboard applicator, without the use of any pesticides, herbicides, perfumes, chemical fertilizers, and chlorine bleaching.

Tampons, while not completely normalized in today&rsquo;s environment and in Filipino culture, have their own merits and risks. But it goes to show that there is still a long way to go in reproductive healthcare, and companies like <a href="https://nalawoman.ph/">Nala</a> are doing what they can to move it forward. At the end of the day, in the deliberation for a suitable menstrual product, a professional opinion from the medical field is still very much recommended.

5 Myths About Tampons, Debunked

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