You should consult your health care provider for the following:
How often should I change my pad/tampon?
Sanitary napkins (pads) should be changed as often as necessary, before the pad is soaked with menstrual flow. Each woman decides for herself what is comfortable. Tampons should be changed often (at least every 4-8 hours). Make sure that you use the lowest absorbency of tampon needed for your flow. For example, do not use super absorbency on the lightest day of your period. This can put you at risk for toxic shock syndrome (TSS). TSS is a rare but potentially deadly disease. Women under 30, especially teenagers, are at a higher risk for TSS. Using any kind of tampon - cotton or rayon of any absorbency - puts a woman at greater risk for TSS than using menstrual pads. The risk of TSS can be lessened or avoided by not using tampons, or by alternating between tampons and pads during your period.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends the following tips to help avoid tampon problems:
If you experience any of the following symptoms while you are menstruating and using tampons, you should contact your health care provider immediately:
Reprinted from The National Women's Health Information Center - NWHIC
Updated: 02/01/06
