Abstract: A digital tampon is provided which is sufficiently rigid to allow for digital insertion but which subsequently, during use, loses its rigidity to provide comfort when worn and when removed. The tampon comprises a rigidifying element extending longitudinally and disposed centrally with respect to the axis of the tampon. The element is chosen to have a dry resistance to compression sufficiently high enough to allow insertion and a wet resistance to compression, less than the dry resistance, and sufficiently low enough to allow the tampon to expand when wet and be comfortable in use and during removal.