Will inserting a tampon or menstrual cup break the hymen?

PETALING JAYA: Menstruation is something women deal with every month.

The crimson wave is enough to make most women cringe, and some may not feel comfortable talking about the topic.

Here are four questions women have about their periods, answered by obstetrician and gynecologist Dr Premitha Damodaran (pic).

Dr Premitha Damodaran addresses questions women have about menstruation.

Can inserting a tampon or menstrual cup break the hymen?

Yes it can. The hymen is the entrance to the vagina which is a loose distensible piece of flesh. It can be easily broken with the simplest of actions including dancing, splits, horse riding etc. When inserting a tampon or a cup, the hymen can be easily broken. 

In this part of the world, an intact hymen is an important personal, cultural and social issue and may constitute one of the main reasons that tampons and menstrual cups have not picked up among teenagers.

Can a menstrual cup ever get stuck or lost once inserted?

A menstrual cup cannot get lost, as the only way out is down. It may fall off unknowingly if not fitted properly and the user panics that it is “lost”.

It can definitely get stuck. This happens in ill-fitted cups which do not conform to the size of the vagina. It also happens more in beginners or in those who are not sexually active or have infrequent sexual activity. Their comfort in placing the cup may be absent and thus the cup is fitted wrongly. Usually this results in spillage rather than in it getting lost.

There are certain positions one can get into to remove the cup. All is not lost in the doctor’s office. The cup can be easily removed.

Are you more prone to infections when using pads or tampons? Why?

I think whether it is tampons or pads, the most important aspect is the frequency of change. When the pads or tampons are filled within three to four hours, women quickly change and put a new one on. 

However, when it is not filled up, many tend to leave it on and not change until the pad or tampon is full. This is a bad habit. Pads, panty liners and tampons must always be changed within three hours irrespective of whether they are full or not. 

Keeping them on beyond that promotes infection as the old blood coagulates and infections may set in to enter the vagina with prolonged use.

Is toxic shock syndrome a concern with tampons and menstrual cups?  

Whether you are using tampons or menstrual cups, two very important aspects would be:

1. Hygiene – Always wash your hands before insertion or removal. 

2. Change or empty frequently – Never leave a tampon for more than three to four hours. Do not use a tampon on light flow days as it can cause abrasion to the vaginal side walls. For menstrual cups, always take out the cup within 12 hours, and wash the cups properly.

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is rare but dangerous if one gets it. It is caused by the bacteria staphylococcus aureus which breeds in blood. The vagina is a rich source of oxygen which encourages its growth. So the longer the tampon or cup remains, the higher the chances of TSS.

Super absorbent tampons are more of the culprits for TSS. But cases have been reported with menstrual cups, mainly because the wearer used it for more than 12 hours and it was filled with blood.

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