A tampon for feminine hygiene has an insertion end, a withdrawal end, a longitudinal axis, and an outer surface. The tampon has compressed fibrous material. The outer surface of the tampon has a plurality of recessed portions. Each of said recessed portions has a length dimension, a first side wall, and a second side wall. The first and second side walls intersect one another to form a vertex. The first and second side walls have an angle (.alpha.) therebetween. The angle alpha (.alpha.) varies as measured along at least a portion of the length dimension.