Tampons including an elongate body and a removal string extending from a removal end of the elongate body. The tampons may include an absorbent material and a spiral flow path that directs menses across the elongate body. The spiral flow path includes at least one complete turn around the longitudinal axis of the elongate body.

Some implementations can include a tampon/suppository hybrid having at least one composition (e.g., pharmaceutical, medicinal plant, herbal composition, vitamin supplementation, and/or essential oil) applied to, attached to, or contained in the tampon (e.g., at or near an insertion point or tip of the tampon). When the tampon/suppository hybrid is inserted, the tampon/suppository hybrid works to provide the composition to the user, for example, to establish/re-establish the microbial flora of the host, while still absorbing secretions and or blood from menstruation flow.

An anally insertable absorptive device for minimizing anal leakage includes a pad that is substantially cylindrically shaped and configured to be inserted through an anus into a rectum of a user. The pad is absorptive and is configured to absorb liquid in the rectum to prevent anal leakage. A string is coupled to and extends from a trailing end of the pad. The string is configured to be grasped in digits of a hand of the user, positioning the user to pull on the string to extract the pad from the rectum through the anus.

The present invention provides a nasal cavity packing structure which comprises: a pad extending along a first direction, having a shape pressed in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and including a first hollow extending along the first direction inside the pad; and an elastic tube an outer circumferential surface of which is closely adhered to an inner circumferential surface of the pad.

A tubular shaped tampon can include an absorbent body defining a cylindrical shape having a hollow interior, a porous protective sleeve surrounding the absorbent body, and a string that holds the protective sleeve in place against the absorbent body and facilitates removal of the tampon after use. The absorbent body and protective sleeve can combine to define an overall tubular structure having an inner hollow region, providing increased surface area. Methods of manufacturing the tampon can include cutting a fluid absorbent material, rolling the cut material around elongated machine prongs to form an absorbent body, rolling a porous sheet around and extending beyond both distal ends of the absorbent body, pinching together distal ends of the porous sheet, pushing at least one distal end through the hollow interior of the absorbent body, stitching the distal ends of the porous sheet together, and punching a string through the protective sleeve and absorbent body.

An absorptive anal hygiene apparatus for anal hygiene includes a sponge body having a body top side, a body bottom side, a body front side, a body back side, a body left side, and a body right side. The body bottom side is larger than the body top side. The sponge body is an absorptive material configured to be inserted within a user's buttocks adjacent the anus to prevent transfer of fecal matter from the user's anus to a user's clothing. A tab is coupled to the body top side of the sponge body. An extraction string is coupled to the tab. The extraction string is pullable to remove the sponge body from the user's buttocks.

A tampon including a body having a longitudinal axis, a front end, a rear end and an outer surface. The body including a liquid-absorbing material operable to absorb and/or retain bodily fluid. A bore extending through the body along the longitudinal axis from the front end to the rear end, said bore defining an inner surface. The tampon also including a liquid-impermeable layer, which includes a liquid-impermeable elastic material and a liquid-permeable layer. The liquid-absorbing material is a fluid. One of the liquid-impermeable layer or the liquid-permeable layer is on at least a portion of the outer surface of the body of the tampon. The other of the liquid-impermeable layer or the liquid-permeable layer is on at least a portion of the inner surface of the body. In use, the liquid-impermeable layer and the liquid-permeable layers are operable to move between a first configuration and a second configuration.

The collapsible menstrual cup prevents spillage by absorbing menstrual fluids. Separating the absorbent elements into discrete pieces allows for a nested, collapsed, flat state, and an expanded, separated state. Discrete pieces being individual elements able to move with respect to each other, in contrast to a unified layer of material that would fold when moved from a flat shape to a cupped shape. Thus, storing multiple devices on one's person is simplified without compromising functionality. The absorbent elements are shaped like flower petals, radiating outward from a central point. At the center is an optional central absorbent element. In the collapsed position the absorbent elements take positions in close proximity, nesting next to each other. In the expanded position for use, the absorbent elements spread out, allowing the reservoir to expand, preparing for use.

The present invention provides a tampon pledget with one or more of the following properties: increased absorbency rate; high absorbent capacity and fluid retention; rapid expansion potential; and ease of ejection of the pledget from the applicator. Surprisingly, the one or more properties are achieved by using a modified dual cross-pad, folded, compressed tampon pledget design.

The collapsible menstrual cup prevents spillage by absorbing menstrual fluids. Separating the absorbent elements into discrete pieces allows for a nested, collapsed, flat state, and an expanded, separated state. Discrete pieces being individual elements able to move with respect to each other, in contrast to a unified layer of material that would fold when moved from a flat shape to a cupped shape. Thus, storing multiple devices on one's person is simplified without compromising functionality. The absorbent elements are shaped like flower petals, radiating outward from a central point. At the center is an optional central absorbent element. In the collapsed position the absorbent elements take positions in close proximity, nesting next to each other. In the expanded position for use, the absorbent elements spread out, allowing the reservoir to expand, preparing for use.