OutaSite To Present New Tampon Design
11.12.23
Prototype features flat, circular elastic disc with an absorbent pad in its center
OutaSite, LLC, a North Carolina-based company, was initially formed in 2021 by Gwynne Hite and Dan Parker to develop a patented horizontal tampon. At Hygienix, OutaSite will have a table display showing its tampon prototypes.
The OutaSite horizontal tampon, which was conceived by Hite, is a flat, circular elastic disc with an absorbent pad in the center. When inserted the tampon rests just below the cervix much like a standard diaphragm. In this way, it can collect menses without filling the vaginal vault like the standard cylinder-shaped tampon. The flat design and high positioning afford women additional confidence when interacting in certain social environments.
While working as a nurse practitioner for gynecology services in Guilford County, NC, Hite often noticed cases where young women had deliberately modified or substituted their existing tampons to fit certain social situations. The modifications included removing the withdrawal strings and/or reducing the length of the tampon while substitutions included using sponges and other nonhygienic absorbent materials in place of the tampons. Typical situations prompting alterations included the desire to wear beachwear without fear of string migration or have intimacy during menstruation. However, these alterations frequently led to women needing assistance in the removal of their do it yourself tampons and winding up in Gwynne's clinic requesting help with removal.
In 2014 Gwynne designed the horizontal tampon to more safely meet these needs. Her initial tampon design provided the same absorbency of standard tampons but additionally offered the confidence of not being seen or felt in certain situations while being easy to remove.
In 2020, Terry Young joined the team as an engineering consultant and by 2023 became a full partner. Young brings a lifetime of engineering experience using nonwoven absorbents technology. Through his involvement, the company quickly added new IP to its design portfolio and has charted a course for future manufacturing. The company is now set to test out its assembly ideas and hopes to have a perfected
design that can be clinically tested by mid 2024.
The OutaSite horizontal tampon, which was conceived by Hite, is a flat, circular elastic disc with an absorbent pad in the center. When inserted the tampon rests just below the cervix much like a standard diaphragm. In this way, it can collect menses without filling the vaginal vault like the standard cylinder-shaped tampon. The flat design and high positioning afford women additional confidence when interacting in certain social environments.
While working as a nurse practitioner for gynecology services in Guilford County, NC, Hite often noticed cases where young women had deliberately modified or substituted their existing tampons to fit certain social situations. The modifications included removing the withdrawal strings and/or reducing the length of the tampon while substitutions included using sponges and other nonhygienic absorbent materials in place of the tampons. Typical situations prompting alterations included the desire to wear beachwear without fear of string migration or have intimacy during menstruation. However, these alterations frequently led to women needing assistance in the removal of their do it yourself tampons and winding up in Gwynne's clinic requesting help with removal.
In 2014 Gwynne designed the horizontal tampon to more safely meet these needs. Her initial tampon design provided the same absorbency of standard tampons but additionally offered the confidence of not being seen or felt in certain situations while being easy to remove.
In 2020, Terry Young joined the team as an engineering consultant and by 2023 became a full partner. Young brings a lifetime of engineering experience using nonwoven absorbents technology. Through his involvement, the company quickly added new IP to its design portfolio and has charted a course for future manufacturing. The company is now set to test out its assembly ideas and hopes to have a perfected
design that can be clinically tested by mid 2024.
