The tampon has had a long and controversial past. Although many consider the tampon to be a relatively new technology, its precursors were used by ancient Egyptians, Romans, and Africans; these were formed from papyrus, cotton, wool, or grass. Tampons were marketed commercially in America beginning in the late twenties and early thirties. The first tampon with an applicator was invented in 1936 by Dr. Earl Haas.

One of the earliest controversies with regard to the tampon was whether women would find the invention sexually stimulating. A more recent debate centers around major health issues associated with tampons. The last two decades have provided many scares, with toxic shock syndrome, dioxins, bleach, and rayon fibers making headlines in multiple countries. While there are many tampon adherents despite this, some alternative products are available, such as The Keeper and natural cotton tampons.

Society imposes great deal of secrecy upon the entire issue of tampons. This is used frequently by advertisers, who not only pose images of events that could not happen without the hiding action of a tampon (such as wearing tight white clothing) but also originally marketed the tampon case for purposes of concealment. (Note that now certain people use the tampon case as a political statement and conversation piece.)

Suggested Readings:
Joan Jacobs Brumberg. The Body Project: An Intimate History of American Girls. New York: Vintage Books, 1998.

Karen Houppert. The Curse: Confronting the Last Unmentionable Taboo, Menstruation. Farrar Straus & Giroux, 2000.

Margit Detweiler.“Seeing Red,” www.citypaper.net, May, 1999.