Can Christian girls use tampons?

Will using a tampon affect my virginity?

First things first, let me ease your mind that there is nothing inherently wrong or sinful with using tampons. Using a tampon doesn't take away virginity, nor does it make you dirty or sexually impure. Using tampons is a matter of conscience, a decision to be made between a woman and God. I want to take those worries from you right now, because that is the #1 concern girls have regarding tampon use. Now, let's go into a little more detail...

What is a tampon?

Tampons are feminine hygiene products used to soak up the menstrual flow during a woman’s monthly cycle. A tampon is about the length of a pinky finger (sometimes shorter) and made of a soft, absorbent material, like cotton. During menstruation, a tampon can be inserted into the vaginal opening to absorb blood before it leaves the body, which helps a woman stay cleaner during her period. Sanitary pads, which you may be more familiar with, do the same thing, but they absorb blood as it flows to the outside of your body. Tampons catch it before it leaves the vagina. Tampons are removed by pulling on a cord that is weaved into the absorbent part and hangs down a couple inches outside. Used tampons are disposed of in the toilet or wrapped up and thrown in the trash.

Will using a tampon take away my virginity?

NO. Using tampons or any other menstrual hygiene product that is inserted vaginally has NO EFFECT on your sexual purity or virginity. Some people have concerns as to whether virgins should use tampons because inserting a tampon may break the hymen. A hymen is a natural membrane that partially closes the opening of the vagina and whose presence is traditionally taken to be a mark of virginity. Although a tampon MAY break the hymen, there is no proof that they are routinely responsible for doing so.

Every woman's body is different, and the hymen can actually be broken in many other ways such as accidents, playing rough sports, or medical exams. A broken hymen does not always equal lost virginity. Even if a virgin's hymen is broken by a tampon, she is STILL a virgin and is not, in any way, sexually impure due to lack of a hymen. The presence of an intact hymen is not the only proof of a woman's purity; purity is a matter of the heart (see Matthew 5:8).

Since the Bible is silent on the use of tampons, it is a matter of conscience (1 Corinthians 10:23-33). If a Christian woman can wear tampons without guilt, then there is no reason why she should refrain. Likewise, each woman is free to save any exploration of her body for her wedding night if she wants to. It is a personal choice between a woman and God.

My parent/guardian won't let me use tampons, but I want to. What should I do?

If you are still living under your parents' authority in their home, it is important to respect and obey their house rules (Ephesians 6:1). If your mom has asked you not to use tampons, you must respect that, even if you don't personally feel convicted against it. The only time we are permitted to disobey our parents is if they are requiring something that goes against God's Word. Since using tampons is not a matter of sin, it's not worth fighting over (Hebrews 12:14).

If you have a compelling reason for wanting to use tampons, such as for use during swim class, sit down with your parent and discuss it. Listen to their side and try to understand where they are coming from. Then make your statement in as clear and non-demanding a way as possible. If, in the end, your parent still says no, you'll need to obey their rules. Once you are on your own as an adult, then using tampons is a decision you can make on your own with a clear conscience.

My friend doesn't want to use tampons. How can I convince her it's OK?

Be careful not to judge others who view this topic differently than you do. God's answer concerning tampons for one woman may not be His answer for the other women in her life. The use of tampons is kind of controversial among Christians because of all the concerns we've already discussed. Romans 14 gives us some advice on how to deal with controversial topics. Verse 5 says that each person "should be fully convinced in their own mind." Once a woman has committed herself to Christ, she can confidently make decisions about her body because her heart and mind are set to seek and obey Him.

But if something about the whole concept bothers her conscience, she doesn't even need to ask God about it because He has already given her His answer. Likewise, if her parents aren't allowing it, she must obey their house rules.

For young girls, virgins, and adult women alike, the concept of inserting something into the vagina may make her feel very uncomfortable, and that is OKAY. Ladies, please do not feel embarrassed or ashamed if the idea of using a tampon makes you uneasy. Your body belongs to YOU; you are free to choose if you want to use tampons or not.

Remember, using tampons has ZERO effect on a woman's virginity or sexual purity. The use of tampons is NOT a sexually impure act. Using tampons is a matter of conscience—a personal decision made between each woman and God.

ALSO SEE: