Page 41 - (DK) Help Your Kids with Growing Up: A No-Nonsense Guide to Puberty and Adolescence

SANITAR Y C ARE 39

Tampons GOOD T O KNO W
A tampon is a small, compact roll of soft material that is placed Toxic shock syndrome (TSS)
inside the vagina to soak up menstrual blood. Tampons must
be changed about every four to six hours. There are different TSS is a rare but dangerous condition which may cause flu-like
sizes and absorbancies available, according to whether a period symptoms, a high temperature, and a rash. It is caused by toxins
is light, medium, or heavy. produced by bacteria that can build up in the vagina when
using a tampon. To reduce the risk, change tampons every four
to six hours, always wash your hands before insertion and
removal, and use the lowest size and absorbancy for the
heaviness of your period.
◁ Applicator tampon
The tampon is inserted
into the vagina inside
the applicator. The
plunger is used to ◁ Position
The tampon is The tampon should
pushed out from push the tampon into be placed high up
the applicator place, and then the
into the vagina. applicator is removed. in the vagina, near
the opening of
the cervix.
◁ Non-applicator
tampon
This should be removed
from its packaging The string helps
The tampon is before insertion. make removing
pushed into the the tampon easier.
vagina with a finger.

Menstrual cups MY TH BUSTER
Made of flexible silicone, a menstrual cup is a reusable product The truth about sanitary care
worn inside the vagina to collect menstrual blood, rather than
absorb it. During a period, it needs to be emptied, rinsed, and You’ll still be a virgin if you use a tampon or
replaced every four to eight hours. At the end of a period, it menstrual cup. A virgin is a person who hasn’t had sex.
should be washed with unscented soap and water, and stored A tampon or menstrual cup can’t get lost. The cervix is
in a clean place. The sizes are not related to menstrual flow, but too small for a tampon or menstrual cup to pass through.
to the user’s age and whether or not she has given birth.

◁ Position
◁ Menstrual cup These should be
This can be used at any point placed as low as is
during a period. With proper comfortable, in the
care, one can be reused for years. vagina, with the
stem sitting just
inside the vagina.
The flexible silicone cup
is folded before being The cup creates a seal
inserted into the vagina. within the vagina to
stop blood leaking.
The stem helps to
remove the cup.

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