Slender regular. Regular regular. Plus. Super plus. Super confusing! One of the most common misconceptions about tampons is that all these varieties are made to fit different body sizes. They’re not. They are meant for how heavy or light your menstrual flow is. If you have very light bleeding, try Tampax Lites or Playtex Slender Lights. If you guys like a Texas oil well every month, you may need to go with something more.

The most important thing to remember, though, is to always use the lowest absorbency possible to prevent toxic shock syndrome. TSS is a very, very rare disease caused by tampon use, but many cases are a result of women using too high of an absorbency.

Used properly, tampons are an extremely safe alternative to bulky, uncomfortable pads. You can always use a pantiliner to catch any overflow. And be sure to change tampons often. You should never leave them in longer than eight hours, so you might want to go with the bulk under your nightie. Who’s gonna know?

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