A self-lubricating tampon applicator includes a barrel having opposed insertion and proximal end portions and having a continuous side wall that defines an interior area and a plurality of spaced apart apertures and proximate the insertion end portion. A tampon is positioned in the interior area of the barrel. A piercing member is positioned between the tampon and the plurality of apertures. A lubricant reservoir is positioned between the tampon and the plurality of piercing members. A plunger situated in the barrel engages a proximal end of the tampon and is slidable from a starter configuration extending from the proximal end portion of the barrel to a deployed configuration positioned inside the barrel. Pressure applied to the plunger pushes the tampon and the reservoir downstream and the reservoir is pierced by the piercing member, dispensing lubricant through the plurality of apertures onto an outer surface of the barrel.

A self-lubricating tampon applicator includes a barrel having opposed insertion and proximal end portions and having a continuous side wall that defines an interior area and a plurality of spaced apart apertures and proximate the insertion end portion. A tampon is positioned in the interior area of the barrel. A piercing member is positioned between the tampon and the plurality of apertures. A lubricant reservoir is positioned between the tampon and the plurality of piercing members. A plunger situated in the barrel engages a proximal end of the tampon and is slidable from a starter configuration extending from the proximal end portion of the barrel to a deployed configuration positioned inside the barrel. Pressure applied to the plunger pushes the tampon and the reservoir downstream and the reservoir is pierced by the piercing member, dispensing lubricant through the plurality of apertures onto an outer surface of the barrel.

A menstrual device having a storage volume. The menstrual device has a frame and a fluid barrier seal layer attached to the exterior surface of the frame. The menstrual device has an expanded configuration that includes an at rest configuration and a deployed configuration. The menstrual device has a compact configuration where the menstrual device is confined to a size, shape and/or geometry smaller than an expanded configuration such that it can be more easily inserted into the body. The menstrual device in a compact configuration is contained within an applicator, where the applicator assists in ejecting the menstrual device into the body.

A menstrual device having a storage volume. The menstrual device has a frame and a fluid barrier seal layer attached to the exterior surface of the frame. The menstrual device has an expanded configuration that includes an at rest configuration and a deployed configuration. The menstrual device has a compact configuration where the menstrual device is confined to a size, shape and/or geometry smaller than an expanded configuration such that it can be more easily inserted into the body. The menstrual device in a compact configuration is contained within an applicator, where the applicator assists in ejecting the menstrual device into the body.

Provided is a tampon applicator having one or more insertion indicators to gauge and/or control the insertion depth of a tampon. The one or more insertion indicators may be located on the tampon applicator barrel, plunger, tampon, removal string, or any combinations thereof. As a result of the one or more insertion indicators, a woman can adjust the insertion depth of the tampon to her body's requirements ensuring leakage protection, comfort, or both.

A sanitary device for insertion into a body cavity having a perforated casing in which a medicant is located within a distal portion of the casing and a semi-rigid absorbent material is located within a proximal portion of the casing. A plunger extends into the casing from the proximal portion and is movable to force the semi-rigid absorbent material into contact with the medicant which forces the medicant out of the distal portion of the casing. Unwanted body fluids can drain into the proximal portion and are absorbed by the semi-rigid absorbent material.

A second embodiment of the invention includes an applicator for inserting a body insert into the body cavity. The body insert includes a semi-rigid absorbent material surrounded by a thin sheet of a lubricating material such as Telfa. The body insert may also include a medicant in the form of a gel material.

A sanitary device for insertion into a body cavity having a perforated casing in which a medicant is located within a distal portion of the casing and a semi-rigid absorbent material is located within a proximal portion of the casing. A plunger extends into the casing from the proximal portion and is movable to force the semi-rigid absorbent material into contact with the medicant which forces the medicant out of the distal portion of the casing. Unwanted body fluids can drain into the proximal portion and are absorbed by the semi-rigid absorbent material.

A second embodiment of the invention includes an applicator for inserting a body insert into the body cavity. The body insert includes a semi-rigid absorbent material surrounded by a thin sheet of a lubricating material such as Telfa. The body insert may also include a medicant in the form of a gel material.

Provided is a tampon applicator having one or more insertion indicators to gauge and/or control the insertion depth of a tampon. The one or more insertion indicators may be located on the tampon applicator barrel, plunger, tampon, removal string, or any combinations thereof. As a result of the one or more insertion indicators, a woman can adjust the insertion depth of the tampon to her body's requirements ensuring leakage protection, comfort, or both.

Provided is a tampon applicator having one or more insertion indicators to gauge and/or control the insertion depth of a tampon. The one or more insertion indicators may be located on the tampon applicator barrel, plunger, tampon, removal string, or any combinations thereof. As a result of the one or more insertion indicators, a woman can adjust the insertion depth of the tampon to her body's requirements ensuring leakage protection, comfort, or both.

A tampon assembly having a barrel, a plunger, and a pledget is provided. The plunger is slidably received in the barrel. The pledget is in the barrel between the insertion tip and the plunger so that a force applied on the plunger can expel the pledget from the barrel. The barrel has a plurality of petals defining an insertion tip, which has a first taper ratio of more than about 0.3 to less than 1.0. The pledget has a shaped tip that is disposed in the insertion tip.