In Nigeria, myths around virginity continue to shape how young girls and women experience menstruation. Many girls fear tampons could ‘take away’ their purity by breaking the hymen. In this piece, Christiana Alabi-Akande, provides answers to pertinent questions as guided by medical experts.
Girls and women face diverse challenges during menstruation, many of which stem from deep-rooted social and cultural beliefs and societal expectations that limit certain behaviours or discussions. One example is the stigma surrounding the use of tampons.
In Nigeria, and in many other parts of the world, the hymen (piece of tissue that covers the vagina), is believed to be a seal that shows whether a girl is still a virgin. Families, religious institutions, and even friends treat it as proof of purity.
Medical experts have, however, debunked this claim, explaining that the hymen is just a thin, stretchy layer of skin that looks different for every girl and can tear for many reasons not linked to sex.
They claim other reasons, such as sporting events, including cycling, or even a fall, could cause the hymen to tear.
Mother’s experience
When Claudiana Davies handed her 18-year-old daughter, Cynthia, a box of tampons as she prepared for university, she thought she was offering her comfort. But instead of gratitude, her daughter pushed the box back almost instantly.
“Mum, I can’t use this. It will make me lose my virginity,” she said, her voice trembling with fear.
For her, the tampon was not a convenience but a product that could take away what society calls her “proof of virginity.”
As much as her mum tried to educate her, she held onto the information she had gotten from her friends while in secondary school, that is, inserting a tampon during menstruation could tear the hymen, which is long considered the cultural ‘proof’ of virginity.
What are tampons?
Tampons are disposable period products made using highly absorbent materials, pressed into a small, cylindrical shape. They are referred to as a convenient period management product that absorbs blood during menstrual flow.
Unlike pads, tampons are inserted into the vaginal opening to soak up the menstrual fluid during periods. Like pads, period tampons come in different sizes and absorbing strengths to be used based on individual menstrual flow.
While there are tampons for a light flow, there are also for regular and heavy flow. But most young girls begin with sanitary napkins during their initial periods while some later switch over to tampons for sheer convenience.
Tampons are made from super absorbent ingredients such as cotton fibres, rayon fibres and sometimes, a combination of the two. The rayon fibres used in the manufacturing of tampons, according to experts, are cellulose material derived from wood pulp while the cotton fibres are obtained from plants. These materials are densely compressed together into a cylindrical shape and the tampon expands upon coming in contact with menstrual fluid.
Does tampon use affect the hymen?
According to the Population Service International (PSI), tampons are a safe menstrual product for managing periods, but they do not affect virginity.
A gynaecologist at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Modupe Adedeji, emphasised that concerns about tampons breaking the hymen or causing loss of virginity are unfounded.
“The vagina is an elastic organ that can expand enough to allow a baby’s head to pass through while the hymen is a very thin, almost transparent membrane at the entrance of the vagina. When inserting a tampon, it passes through the same vaginal opening as penetration during sex.
“The urethra, where urine comes out, is too small for a tampon, and the only other opening in that region is the anus, which is much tighter and not where a tampon should go. So, compared to the penile shaft, a tampon is much smaller and not designed to disvirgin a girl.”
Additionally, the gynaecologist explains, “the hymen is not like a solid door you break through; in fact, it’s so delicate that even doctors sometimes need close examination to identify it. In fact, not all first-time sexual experiences lead to bleeding. The bleeding often comes from fear, tension, or trauma rather than the hymen itself. Even if you cut through a hymen, it may not bleed.”.
Corroborating Ms Adedeji, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, David Ede-Edokpolor, noted that tampons are medically safe for virgins during menstruation if used correctly. He explained that there is no physical danger or risk of injury for a virgin provided they are properly used.
Mr Ede-Edokpolor further noted that a woman might feel slight pressure or sensation the first time, but explained that sharp pain may occur if tampon is not inserted at the right angle.
Merits, demerits of tampons
Ms Adedeji explained that tampons are used by women during their menstrual period as an alternative to perineal pads, noting that the advantage is that tampons absorb blood within the vagina rather than sitting on underwear.
According to her, tampons reduce the frequency of changes and are very comfortable for moderate bleeding. “If the bleeding is heavy, you may have to change more often. Another drawback is that tampons can be a bit expensive,” she said.
She, however, cautioned against misuse. “Some people forget tampons inside the vagina, and leaving it there for too long can lead to a dangerous infection called Toxic Shock Syndrome (a life-threatening bacterial infection linked to tampons being left in for too long). This occurs when bacteria like staphylococcus or streptococcus release toxins, which, if not quickly treated, can become a medical emergency,” she warned.
Other risks, she noted, include tampons moving deeper into the vagina. Nonetheless, she maintained that with proper use and precautions, tampons are safe and suitable for women throughout their reproductive years.
How long should a tampon stay in the vagina?
According to Ms Adedeji, the duration depends on menstrual flow and personal hygiene, just like with perineal pads.
“You can insert one in the morning, change it at mid-day depending on the flow, and replace it again when you get home. Most women also change before bedtime. For light bleeders, one tampon in the morning and another later in the evening may be enough. The key thing is not to leave it in too long, some people make the mistake of soaking one for too long, which is unhygienic,” she said.
For Mr Ede-Edokpolor, tampons should be changed regularly, at an eight hour interval, at least, to prevent TSS.
Some of the advantages of tampons, he explained, are that once inserted they are completely invisible under clothing; they allow for freedom of movement and activity; and they give a feeling of cleanliness, as they absorb menstrual flow internally. He added that women often feel cleaner and drier with a tampon, avoiding the “wet” sensation that can sometimes occur with pads.
“Tampons can be worn with any clothing and allow women to wear any type of underwear without worrying about visible bulges,” he added, even as he cautioned that incorrect insertion may cause discomfort, stretch or injure the hymen, and in rare cases lead to toxic shock syndrome.
Challenging parental fears
A broadcast journalist and menstrual health advocate, Funke Treasure, also aired her views..
She said: “What is the size of the biggest tampon?” she asked rhetorically. “It is still not as big as the size of the male penis when it is not even turgid. So, it’s a myth. This is why it is often difficult for us on the field to convince parents to allow their daughters to use tampons or menstrual cups.
“It takes a knowledgeable parent to permit their daughter to use tampons, but the truth is that they are simply not big enough to ‘disvirgin’ a girl’.”
Environmental impact of tampons
Mr Ede-Edokpolor submits that like pads, most conventional tampons and their applicators are not biodegradable and lead to plastic waste.
He maintained that tampons are safe and highly effective for managing menstrual flow particularly for active individuals and that serious risk of TSS is very low if used correctly. The best approach, according to him, is to use tampons during the day for activity and a pad at night for longer coverage.
Safe disposal and usage tips
According to PSI, used tampons should be wrapped in toilet paper or placed in a disposal bag before being dropped in a trash bin. It added that where available, applicator disposal bags in public restrooms should be used.
However, it warned against flushing tampons in the water closet, as they can clog plumbing systems. It also warned against burning tampons, saying they may release harmful chemical emissions.
“Do not wear a tampon for more than six hours, to reduce health risks such as infections,” it added.