Why is it bad to flush tampons down a toilet, when they are smaller than the average turd and biodegradable?

Question

I have always wondered why it’s so bad to flush a tampon. I know tampons blow up a bit when wet, but even when fully saturated, they don’t get as big as a large turd. And they are generally made of cotton, not plastic, so surely they will break down well enough? Thanks.

EDIT TO ADD: I am not saying I flush tampons! I don’t. I just wanted to make sure there’s a good reason for it.

In: 0

Answer 1

The inside of pipes is not perfectly smooth, there are often small sharp bits left inside from when the pipe is cut, and anything fibrous, like cotton, can get caught on it and start a clog. Anything with more structural integrity than toilet paper should be avoided.

Cotton in particular takes years or decades to break down, which is why it’s useful for clothing.