The weakened blood vessels open, a few at a time, discharging droplets of blood. More and more drops are released, and the flow of menstrual blood empties the uterus. Women who have light flow may use as few as one or two menstrual tampons or sanitary pads per day. Women with heavier flow might require eight to ten tampons or pads per day. Menstrual sponges, which can be rinsed out and reused, are also available in drugstores.
Manufacturers produce tampons in various gradations of absorbency.