Tampon applicators, besides being a wasteful and totally unnecessary apparatus, can in
themselves constitute a hazard to the health of otherwise healthy women. This potential threat
has been confirmed from reports of damage from the scratching the vaginal walls from paper
applicators, and from arterial laceration from the use of "flower petal soft" plastic applicators.
Vaginal tissue is known to be some of the most highly absorptive tissue in the human body. As
early as 1918, Dr. David Macht reported that the membranes of the vaginal passage are highly
absorbent and very sensitive to toxic substances. The tender tissues can be easily damaged,
placing the entire body at risk of retaining tiny fibers lost from rayon tampons and allowing the
introduction of bacteria to the rest of the body.
In addition, tampon applicators are designed to accommodate women whose vaginas conform to
standards set by engineers involved in tampon design (approximately 3.7 inches in length) and,
as a result, may not be "the right size" for all women. This may explain the difficulties that
many women have experienced while using applicator tampons.
Non applicator tampons allow women control over the placement of the tampon and, when used
as directed, can reduce the possibility of damaging the vaginal tissue.