Tampons were introduced in stores in the 1930s. Before that, women often invented their own form of internal protection. African women used rolls of grass and roots, Egyptians used rolls of soft papyrus, and Roman women used rolls of soft wool. Stage stars often used homemade cotton tampons before they were available in stores. Tampons are worn internally, inserted into the vagina.
Some tampons have applicators that are either cardboard or plastic.
These help you push a tampon into its proper position. Tampons without applicators are inserted using just the tip of your finger. All tampons are made of absorbent fibers that absorb the menstrual flow within the vagina. They allow you to continue all your usual activities, including swimming, and there is no menstrual odor. Tampons are available in different absorbencies.