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The tampon worn by 78% of women
To reach this conclusion, researchers observed the immune profile and the vaginal microbiota of women according to the preferred protective device. It should be noted that very few studies are currently available on the subject. Most of the work carried out on this subject focuses (…) “on the acceptability and practicality of the various products (price, risk of leakage) and little on the biological side”, detail Inserm researchers relaying the study in question. Called PAPCLEAR, it was conducted with 138 women aged 18 to 25, all recruited from the Montpellier University Hospital. On the program: biological analyzes and questionnaires.
Of the entire sample, 78% wore tampons and 22% menstrual cups. Small point of detail: “the users of cups were significantly older and smoked less than the users of tampons. But the main finding of this study remains that “cutting use was associated with more frequent reporting of fungal infections” such as vaginal yeast infection. And “at the biological level, there was no significant difference in terms of the composition of the vaginal microbiota”.
Note: it is better to wear external protection such as single-use or washable sanitary napkins, single-use or washable panty liners or washable period panties to see your risk of infection reduced.
*”The risk of toxic shock syndrome is multiplied by 2 when a tampon is kept on for more than 6 hours, by 2 when the tampon is worn all night” (Ameli.fr data)