Question: What Tampon Absorbency is Right for My Period?
Answer: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health regulates the manufacture of tampons and the absorbency rates and terms used to define absorbency. The following information should be clearly labeled on any tampons that you purchase:
The following terms are used to describe tampon absorbency and the amount of menstrual flow they are designed for:
- Junior absorbency – less than 6 grams (Approximately 5 grams equals one teaspoon.)
- Regular absorbency – 6 to 9 grams
- Super absorbency – 9 to 12 grams
- Super plus absorbency – 12 to 15 grams
- Ultra absorbency – 15 to 18 grams
- Tampons that absorb over 18 grams do not have an official term and are not recommended.
Remember, the lower the absorbency – the lower your risk for toxic shock syndrome or TSS.
