Abstract: The pad of the invention is comprised of a permeable cover and an impermeable backing member with an absorbent therebetween. The pad is provided with an absorbent that has at least two components. One component is a fluid transfer member that is generally in a dog bone shape. This transfer member may be formed from a generally rectangular member that has good longitudinal transfer of fluid. The generally rectangular member is provided with cuts going inward toward the center and perpendicular to each longitudinal edge at points about one-quarter of the total longitudinal length from each end. Each of these cuts extends about a third of the distance of the width of the pad forming a flap on each longer side of the rectangular planar member. The flaps are folded upward such that their ends are adjacent.

Abstract: A tampon is provided with a pledget having an outer layer having a web of thermoplastic fibers or mixtures thereof which is integrated to a nonwoven thermoplastic cover. The pledget also includes an absorbent insert which may be a thermoplastic nonwoven microfibrous web.