Patented recently is an absorbent tampon comprising: a chevron shaped mass of absorbent material which has been axially compressed into a generally cylindrical, self-sustaining form, wherein subsequent to the axial compression the generally cylindrical, self-sustaining form has a diameter of less that about 22 mm, the tampon having an absorbent capacity as measured by the syngyna test of between about 12 to about 15 grams, the tampon being fluid expanding, and the tampon having an expanded width upon fluid absorption of at least about 27 mm.