At some point or the other we have all contemplated the mysterious option of tampons, or better known as their popular commercial brands Tampax.

Be it for that very unfortunate occasion where the Sokhna long weekend coincided with the four magical days of the month or  because it is less apparent under a workout apparel, tampons have always been rather a mystical option we almost never go with.

We’ve heard the tales before, “it causes infections,” “it is very uncomfortable,” or the good old mothers’ tale, “it will break your hymen if you’re a virgin.”

Yet we are constantly contemplating using tampons for the freedom it gives you while menstruating; going swimming, for instance, something that is embarrassing and risky with pads.

Because tampons can really be an effective solution to embarrassing beach situations, if only just to sit comfortably in a swimsuit, we decided to break the myth surrounding tampons once and for all. We have spoke the the experts asking them the common questions women have but are too shy to ask and here is what they told us.

Dr. Hussein Gohar is an obstetrician and gynecologist and the managing director of the Gohar Hospital

Are tampons dangerous?

Dr. Gohar: No, they are simply alternative to pads. They are only dangerous if you forget to remove them or if you leave them for too long, and this is when toxic shock syndrome can occur but it isn’t common at all.

How often do you need to change tampons?

Dr. Gohar: You need to change them every 8-12 hours, it isn’t advisable to leave them for over 12 hours.

Do they have any advantages over pads?

Dr. Gohar: It is a matter of choice, some women might have allergies to pads or feel uncomfortable, it is a personal preference. One advantage tampons have is that it decreases period days by one day. The vagina isn’t a straight and smooth tube, it takes roughly a day for blood to make it down through the vagina and appear on the pad and the last day of the period is mostly fluids from the uterus. Tampons absorb those fluids a day before it would appear on a pad, so that cuts period days by one.

Are pads more hygienic than tampons?

Dr. Gohar: None is better than the other or else the other would have disappeared a while ago. Again, it is a matter of personal preference.

Next: “Can virgins wear tampons? Can Tampons break the hymen?”