WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for June, 1998: Re: Tampons and endometriosis..?..

Re: Tampons and endometriosis..?..

From: anonymous@obgyn.net
Sat, 27 Jun 1998 09:26:59 -0500 (CDT)

Messages sorted by: [ date ][ thread ][ subject ][ author ]
Next message: Jean: "CM on the pill--strange!!!"
Previous message: anonymous@obgyn.net: "Re: Truth about pill periods--can someone shed some light?"
In reply to: Carrie: "Tampons and endometriosis..?.."

At Fri, 26 Jun 1998, Carrie wrote: >
>Hi,
>
>Just something that I heard and wanted to ask around.
>
>Does using tampons contribute to endometriosis?

Carrie-

I have never thought about this, but your theory is interesting. On the one hand, any obstruction to normal menstrual flow increases the risk of backflow through the tubes. Conditions like cervical stenosis (when the cervix is closed too much) and imperforate hymen (when the hymen is closed too much) can lead to endometriosis.

However, tampons should not normally produce that much resistance, as they are made to be absorbant. I cannot find any medical research one way or the other to prove or disprove the theory. In fact, in order to do such a study, one would have to take hundreds of women using tampons and compare them to hundreds using pads, then do laparoscopy on *all* of them to see if there is any endometriosis. Try getting an HMO to pay for that!

Thanks for the intriguing question. In my opinion, it seems quite safe to use tampons as long as they are changed as directed, and as long as one removes them before sexual intercourse (I see about 3-4 women per year with "stuck" tampons who forgot to remove them before sex).

-- Ashley Hill David Ashley Hill, M.D. Associate Director Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Florida Hospital Family Practice Residency Orlando, Florida

The above information is provided for medical education only, and is not intended as specific medical advice. I am sorry, but due to time constraints, I am unable to answer personal e-mail.

Next message: Jean: "CM on the pill--strange!!!"
Previous message: anonymous@obgyn.net: "Re: Truth about pill periods--can someone shed some light?"
In reply to: Carrie: "Tampons and endometriosis..?.."

Women's Insurance Checklist from Auto Insurance Quote

use when must restrict search to only the women's health forum...
Enter search keywords:
	Returns per screen: Require all keywords: