Abstract: A tampon for feminine hygiene having an absorbent core and a cover disposed around the core which is permeable to body fluids, the cover being provided with flexible barrier strips which are spreadable from the tampon surface. The barrier strips serve to close the space between the tampon surface and the walls of the vaginal duct when the tampon is inserted, preventing leakage especially in the time just after insertion. The barrier strips may be of either hydrophilic or hydrophobic material. In the embodiment in which the barrier strips are hydrophilic, they serve as absorbent elements of the tampon in addition to the tampon core. In the embodiment in which the barrier strips are of a hydrophobic material, they direct menstrual fluids inwardly to the absorbent tampon core. In yet another embodiment, the barrier strips may be of a folded two-layer construction filled with an absorbent material.