Expandable bag tampon and spreading tampon applicator therefor

An expandable bag catamenial tampon and spreading tampon applicators for such a tampon are disclosed. The catamenial tampon is in the form of a soft, conformable, hollow bag. The applicator is capable of inserting the tampon into the vaginal tract and spreading the tampon open within the vaginal cavity. The applicator has an applicator element with a leading end and a trailing end. The bag-like tampon is placed over the leading end of the applicator when the tampon is in a flaccid initial configuration which defines an initial width, and the applicator is used to spread the tampon to a greater deployed width. In one embodiment, the applicator comprises tube having an interior and a flexible material which has one end that is formed into a flexible and expandable loop. The flexible loop is slidably mounted within the tube. The flexible loop is contained inside the tube until it is desired to deploy the tampon. When it is desired to deploy the tampon, the flexible loop with the tampon thereon is pushed out the expulsion end of the tube. The flexible loop expands laterally and spreads the tampon open within the vaginal cavity.