Patented is a dry expanding tampon pledget. It comprises a plurality of non-absorbent fibers and a plurality of absorbent fibers. The absorbent fibers are a combination of rayon fiber and superabsorbent fiber with a ratio of rayon fiber to superabsorbent fiber of about 70/30. The non-absorbent fibers and the absorbent fibers are blended together to form the dry expanding tampon pledget. Immediately after complete ejection from an applicator, and prior to contact with menses, the dry expanding tampon pledget has a free diameter at a widest point from about 25% to about 300% larger than a diameter at the widest point of the dry expanding tampon pledget in the applicator.