Tampons

It's not advisable to use tampons at such a young age.

Younger women are at greater risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome because they are less likely to have TSST-1 antibodies and they have more delicate vaginal tissues which are more easily damaged by tampon use (this allows TSST-1 toxins into the bloodstream). Often younger women don't know enough about the risks or their other options to be able to make an educated choice about whether to use tampons, and may not be responsible enough to follow precautions.

If you really want to use tampons that's up to you, but make sure to follow precautions:

• Change tampons every 4-6 hours.
• Alternate with pads as often as possible.
• Always use the lowest absorbency for your flow.
• Avoid rayon tampons e.g. Tampax, Playtex, Kotex.
• Opt for cotton tampons e.g. Emerita, Veeda, Maxim.
• Do not use tampons when not menstruating.
• Do not use tampons for spotting or light flow.
• Do not use tampons overnight while sleeping.
• Do not use tampons with a vaginal infection.
• Wash hands before use.
• Store in a clean dry place.
• Learn about TSS and TSS symptoms.
• Learn about risks such as dioxin.
• Consider safer options like menstrual cups.

A ten year old can use tampons, but it's not recommended.

Even if she is mature enough to understand the risks and her options in order to make an informed choice to use tampons, and is responsible enough to use tampons correctly, she is still at higher risk as younger people have more delicate vaginal tissues and are less likely to have TSST-1 antibodies.

It's recommended younger women start with menstrual pads or period underwear, if they want to use internal options then menstrual cups are recommended as they're safer and more convenient than tampons - a young woman of ten years old would be best with a smaller brand like Ladycup.

Rely tampons were taken off the market because of health risks.

Rely tampons were made from a rough and ultra absorbent combination of carboxymethlycallulose and polyester which caused excessive ulceration in the vaginal walls - this resulted in life-threatening vaginal hemorrhaging and these tears in vaginal walls allowed bacterial toxins to enter the bloodstream so significantly increasing Toxic Shock Syndrome which is a potentially fatal illness. These tampons also caused issues such as vaginal infections and irritation.

In short Rely tampons may have contributed to millions of cases of TSS and other tampon-associated health problems - CDC were recording TSS cases but the vast majority of cases weren't included in CDC figures as many cases weren't reported (were misdiagnosed, doctors didn't know how to report to CDC due to new protocol, or they didn't have time to report) and CDC criteria for counting TSS only included cases that met specific criteria.

Tampon companies knew about the health risks from initial test markets, and then when they rolled out the brand nationally there was wide concern from customers and health professionals about symptoms resulting from use of Rely. It wasn't until government bodies stepped in that Rely was taken off the market, as it was considered to be a risk to public health.

Actually pads are a lot more hygienic than tampons - tampons prevent vaginal cleaning while allowing bacterial growth, thus why tampons commonly cause vaginal infections and are linked to TSS, also why tampons have to be alternated with pads to allow your vagina a chance to clean itself.

Tampons shouldn't hurt as long as you're using them correctly - use correct absorbency for your flow and relax during insertion, remember too that they can't be used with light flow. It would be much better to use menstrual cups or softcups as they are more hygienic than tampons and no need for pads.

Yes, it's bad to use tampons when you've not had your period.

Tampons absorb vaginal moisture needed to protect vaginal tissues from damage, tampon use always causes ulceration in the vaginal walls which is not only uncomfortable but allows bacterial toxins responsible for Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) direct access to the bloodstream. Without sufficient menstrual flow, or in this case without menstrual flow at all, the damage caused to vaginal tissues may be greater and thus the risks of TSS are considerably higher.

There's no need to use tampons when not menstruating.

Tampons are dry and absorbent, with no menstrual flow tampons will dry-out vaginal tissues resulting in the vaginal walls becoming damaged and ulcerated - this occurs whenever tampons are used but damage will be more severe when using tampons without any flow at all. This damage can not only cause discomfort but gives TSST-1 toxins responsible for TSS a more direct route to the bloodstream, thus using tampons before menstruation increases TSS risks.

Discharge is how your vagina cleans itself, it flushes out dead cells, dirt and bacteria in order to keep your vagina clean and healthy - it is not a good idea to prevent this self-cleaning function, particularly by giving bacteria a porous warm and moist environment such as a tampon.