Abstract: An absorbent device for aqueous liquids, particularly useful as a catamenial tampon, e.g. of cotton or rayon fibers and a plurality of initially protectively-coated discrete portions of a super-absorbent material incorporated with the overall mass of absorbent material. Preferably a liquid soluble material surrounds and protectively encapsulates each discrete portion of super-absorbent material. The liquid soluble material of each encapsulated unit is designed to dissolve in the presence of different predetermined levels of menses to permit absorption of the menses by the super-absorbent material within respective encapsulated units. Accordingly, the greater the menstrual flow, the greater number of encapsulated units which become absorbent. The units may be microencapsulated. Trigger mechanisms other than solubility are contemplated for activating the absorbency of the discrete portions of super-absorbent material, when needed.