Most applicators are designed straight even though the vagina is naturally curved. Fingertip insertion allows you to follow the natural curve of the vaginal canal and insert the tampon where it is most comfortable for your body. Once you try it a few times, you’ll be surprised at your instinctive ability to know where to place the tampon.

A finger pocket at the base of the tampon helps protect your fingertip. After you unwrap the o.b.® tampon, pull the string to widen the base and put your finger in the newly created indentation. As you insert the tampon, your fingertip remains covered by this pocket of cotton-like fibers. Since there's no applicator between you and the tampon, the o.b.® tampon begins to absorb as you insert it. And there's no messy applicator to deal with. You’re done. Click here to see step-by-step instructions.

If you have difficulty inserting the tampon, you may want to try a lower level of absorbency than the one you’re using. o.b.® tampons are available in a range of absorbencies. Check out our Multi Pack to get all the absorbencies in one box. If you’re brand new to o.b.® tampons or non-applicator tampons, try the regular absorbency o.b.® PRO COMFORT® tampons made with a SilkTouch® cover for easier insertion and removal.

Depending on your menstrual flow, you can wear a tampon for up to 8 hours. Your flow level will determine how often you should change your tampon and what absorbency you should use. Your flow will usually be heaviest at the beginning of your period and then lighten up so you may want to use more than one absorbency during your period. You should use a tampon with the lowest absorbency to meet your needs.

No, you generally don’t need to wear a pantiliner or pad with o.b.® tampons. If it’s your first time using them, and you’re worried, go ahead and wear a pantiliner just in case. But picking out the best absorbency for your flow along with o.b.® tampon's unique FluidLock® design should prevent leaks.

Usually no, By using the right absorbency for your menstrual flow, this make insertion easier. For example, you may wish to use higher absorbency tampons when your menstrual flow is heavy and then switch to a lower absorbency tampon on lighter days. If you want to need a lubricant, we suggest applying a very small amount of water-soluble lubricant only on the tampon tip. Too much lubrication will interfere with the absorbency of the tampon. Do not use petroleum jelly or other lotions and creams not intended for vaginal use.

No, wearing more than one is totally unnecessary and we do not recommend it! If you’re worried because your flow is extra heavy, you can feel confident that one o.b.® Ultra will have you covered.

We make different absorbency levels for every day of your period. Try to use a tampon with the minimum absorbency needed to control menstrual flow. You might want to start by choosing the smallest size--o.b.® Regular--and then switching to a larger size if it’s necessary.

The graph below shows a typical woman’s flow pattern during her period. Generally menstrual flow is heaviest during the first 3 days. You may want to use a higher absorbency tampon on your heavy days and a lower absorbency tampon on your lighter days. No matter which absorbency level you choose, remember not to leave a tampon in for longer than 8 hours

New onset of heavy menstrual bleeding or abnormal flow patterns may be a sign of something more serious. If you see a significant increase in menstrual flow or change from what is normal for you, please talk to your doctor.

It’s the smart design! o.b.® tampons’ FLUIDLOCK® grooves guide fluid into the core for up to 8 hours of leak protection. Meanwhile this inner core, or the pledget, is made with rolled layers that expand all around to custom-fit the unique shape of each woman. Working together, these parts add up to an innovative design that offers unsurpassed protection against leaks.

o.b.® tampons come in four different absorbency levels

1. o.b.® Regular is best for first-time non-applicator tampon users or for women with light to moderate flow.
2. o.b.® Super is best for moderate flow.
3. o.b.® Super Plus has you covered during a heavier flow.
4. o.b.® Ultra has you covered during your heaviest flow.

If you’re not sure which level is right for you or if you need a few of each, we recommend you pick up the o.b.® Multi-Pack.

It seems crazy, but it’s true. o.b.® tampons are designed to stop leaks by expanding all around to custom-fit the shape of each woman. FLUIDLOCK® grooves also guide fluid into the tampon’s core for up to 8 hours of leak protection. As you can see, a lot of big thinking went into making such a tiny looking tampon that provides ultimate protection.

The o.b.® Multi-Pack comes with an assortment of o.b.® tampons in Regular, Super and Super Plus absorbencies.

Dr. Judith Esser named the product o.b.®, which stands for "ohne binde" in German or "without napkins." (Sanitary pads are often called binde in Europe.)

It all began 50 years ago with German gynecologist Dr. Judith Esser’s personal quest for a smarter tampon. Her fruitless search led her to develop her own tampon design, one that was easy to use, comfortable, and (most importantly) provided great protection. To this day, the o.b.® brand continues to retain a board-certified gynecologist and research teams to pursue Esser’s vision for creating safe, effective, and innovative options for women.

The original o.b.® tampon had no applicator and launched in Europe. It caught on in North America, due in large part to its phenomenal protection and inconspicuous size. Great for toting around, the design itself was revolutionary in the world of tampons and played to women's need for discreet yet reliable protection.

o.b.® tampons are made of two types of rayon and a polyester string. The cover for o.b.® ORIGINAL™ is made of polyester/polyethylene non-woven material and that of o.b.® PRO COMFORT® is made of polyethylene/polypropylene film. 90% of raw materials used for o.b.® tampons come from renewable resources.

No. Production of o.b.® tampons involves only "elemental chlorine-free" bleaching processes, which do not cause the production of dioxins. State-of-the-art testing of tampon fibers that can detect even trace amounts of dioxin has shown that dioxin levels are at or below the detectable limits, posing no risk to tampon users' health.

No, asbestos is NOT an additive and has never been added to o.b.® tampons. For additional information, please see the following website.

The term "dioxin" refers to a number of related chemical compounds with differing degrees of toxicity created both by natural events (like forest fires) and industrial processes (like waste incineration, combustion in automobile engines). It has been claimed, that as a consequence of the bleaching processes, some tampons contain dioxin(s). In fact, production of o.b.® tampons involves only "elemental chlorine-free" bleaching processes that do not cause the production of dioxins. State-of-the-art testing of tampon fibers that can detect even trace amounts of dioxin has shown that dioxin levels are at or below the detectable limits, posing no risk to tampon users' health.

Applicators are straight and stiff whereas the vagina is actually curved. Using a fingertip allows you to follow your own natural curves and lets you place the tampon where it feels most comfortable and protects you effectively. Once you try it a few times, you’ll see that using a fingertip is very intuitive.

Inserting o.b.® tampons with your finger instead of an applicator gives you more control. When the tampon is in the right place, you won't feel it. And there is no need to worry that you might insert a tampon too far inside your vagina. It's just not physically possible. Phew!

Luckily the answer is no. There’s just no place for it to go. The tampon has to stay in your vagina, which is only 3" to 5" long. The opening from the vagina to the uterus is called the cervix, but it's smaller than the head of a pin. (Too small for even a tiny o.b.® tampon to squeeze through!)

No. A woman can only lose her virginity by having sexual intercourse. The hymen has a natural opening in it and is made of elastic tissues that stretches. The natural opening allows menstrual fluid to escape from the vagina and also allows a tampon to be inserted without causing trauma to the hymen.

No. Menstrual flow is the result of discharge of tissue and blood from inside the uterine cavity. Using tampons doesn’t stop the flow of menstrual fluid and has no effect on the release of fluid from the uterus. The tampon is designed to absorb fluid while it is still in the vagina. If the tampon becomes completely saturated, leaking will occur. The rate of your menstrual flow is not affected by the tampon.

TSS is a rare disease believed to be caused by some forms of the bacterium called Staphylococcus aureus. This bacterium can be found normally in the vagina of some women. Without this bacterium, tampons alone have not been found to cause TSS. However, there are studies that have indicated tampons, in the presence of this bacterium, are associated with an increased risk of menstrual TSS.

By using tampons you increase your risk of getting menstrual TSS. It has been estimated that each year 1-17 of every 100,000 menstruating women and girls will get TSS. TSS occurs most often in menstruating females using tampons, in particular women under thirty years of age, and especially teenage girls. TSS also occurs, however, among men, children, and non-menstruating women.

Some studies suggest that higher absorbency tampons are associated with an increased risk of menstrual TSS. That’s why we recommend you use a tampon with the lowest absorbency that meets your menstrual flow needs and that you wear them for no longer than 8 hours. o.b. tampons are available in four absorbency ranges: regular absorbency for light flow (6-9 g); super absorbency for moderate flow (9-12 g); and super plus absorbency for heavy flow (12-15 g); and ultra absorbency for very heavy flow (15-18 g). Under this absorbency rating system adopted by all tampon manufacturers, tampons within a given range have the same absorbency label.

The initial symptoms are similar to the flu and can include high fever (usually 38.8°C, 102°F or more), accompanied by vomiting, and/or diarrhea, fainting when standing up, dizziness or sunburn like rash.

These symptoms usually appear very quickly and are often severe. Not all TSS cases are alike, and all symptoms are not always present. Other signs might be aching of muscles and joints, redness of the eyes, sore throat and weakness.

Remove your tampon at once, if you are using one. Discontinue using tampons. Contact your doctor right away or seek emergency medical treatment immediately. Tell your doctor that you have been wearing tampons and think that you may have TSS. Seek medical advice before resuming the use of tampons if you have had TSS warning signs in the past.

Yes. Once you've had TSS, you are more likely to get it again than someone who has never had the disease. If a doctor has told you that you have had TSS, or if you believe you might have had the disease, don't use tampons until you check with your doctor.