We think tampons are great. But learning how to pick just the right one for you can feel overwhelming at first. There are rows and rows of tampons on the shelf at the shop. Follow this tampon guide to make sense of it all.
TAMPAX has a range of different types of tampons in their line. You can pick just the right ones that feel best for you. If you’re a first-time tampon user, we recommend TAMPAX Compak Pearl. They have a rounded tip and grip marks for super simple and comfortable insertion.
All TAMPAX tampons come in five different size tampons so that you are protected no matter what your flow. Typically, your flow will be heavier during the first 1 to 2 days of your period and will taper off as your period comes to an end.
But how do you know what size is right for you? Using a tampon size chart can be very helpful for decoding the different tampon sizes and what they mean. Use a tampon size chart in order to find the best tampon size for your flow.
What do the sizes mean?Different size tampons correspond with different levels of menstrual flow. So a larger size tampon is good for a heavy flow day, while a smaller size tampon will work best on a light flow day. Picking the right tampon size is key for staying comfortable. Using too high of an absorbency can dry out your vagina, meaning you may feel your tampon. It may even be uncomfortable to remove your tampon if it’s too high of an absorbency.
First, get to know your tampons. TAMPAX have an absorbency for every flow: Light, Regular, Super, Super Plus, and Ultra. As you can see in the above tampon size chart, Light tampons are best for your lightest flow days and Ultra tampons are best for your heaviest days. A handy tampon guide is printed on the back of every TAMPAX box, so you always have a tampon size comparison to reference.
What tampon should I use for the first time?If you are using a tampon for the first time, use the lowest absorbency from the tampon size chart. We recommend TAMPAX Pearl Compak Light. They have a rounded tip making them super comfortable and easy to insert.
How to know if I should use a less or more absorbent tampon?There are two main ways to tell when you need to use a different absorbency on the tampon size chart:
- You should use a lower absorbency tampon if there is still a lot of white on your tampon when you remove it after 4 to 8 hours.
- You should use a higher absorbency tampon if you bleed through the tampon string or onto your knickers.
As you get to know your flow, you’ll be able to predict whether you’ll have a heavy or light flow day depending on what day of your period you’re on. For instance, many girls have a light flow day on their first day and their second day is the heaviest. Other girls have a heavy flow right from the first day, which then tapers off as their period progresses. Both are fine. There’s no right or wrong.
You may want to keep a few different size tampons at home and switch between them depending what day of your period you’re on. That way, you can, well, go with the flow! So, for instance, while you might wear a heavy flow tampon on Day 1 of your period, you may only need a light tampon on Day 4 of your period.
No matter which absorbency you’re using, never wear a tampon for more than 8 hours in order to avoid TSS risk. Read more about TSS here.
