title: Intravaginal and in vitro temperature changes with tampons of differing composition and absorbency.
abstract: Vaginal tampons are Class II medical devices used by women to manage menstruation. The purpose of this study was to investigate intravaginal temperature changes with simulated and actual menstrual tampon use. Tampons (with varying absorbent compositions) embedded with a thermocouple sensor were used to study temperature effects in vitro in a model of the vagina (condom placed in a hollow glass tube, jacketed in a 37 degrees C water bath, and dosed with human menses to fluid saturation) and clinically during menstrual tampon wear under controlled conditions (up to 8 h in a stationary, supine position). Elevations in the temperature of the tampon core occurred upon menses fluid acquisition both in vitro and clinically. Temperature profile characteristics varied from a transient spike with commercial cotton-rayon blend tampons of two different absorbencies to a small but sustained rise (> or =6 h) with a carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)-containing prototype. On the basis of the results from this study, fluid absorption by tampons generates an exothermic event whose characteristics vary with tampon design and composition. We speculate the small, sustained increased in tampon temperature noted during this study may enhance the production of a bacterial exotoxin associated with tampons composed of CMC.
authors.affiliation: The Procter & Gamble Company, Feminine Care Product Development, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: Donna R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: Catherine C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Thomas W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Osborn
mesh_terms: D000042:Absorption; D015374:Biosensing Techniques; D001831:Body Temperature; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000032:analysis; D002266:Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium; D002482:Cellulose; D032561:Cotton Fiber; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D052576:Menstrual Hygiene Products / Q000009:adverse effects; D008598:Menstruation / Q000502:physiology; D010100:Oxygen / Q000032:analysis; D013696:Temperature; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D002482:Cellulose; C012024:rayon, purified; D002266:Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium; D010100:Oxygen