Should I practice using a tampon before i start my period?

Question

I've heard that if you tottaly wet down the unused tampon it is safe to insert if you haven't started your period yet. Is that true? If you think it is can you please give me detailed instructions on how to insert one? I don't really want my mom extremely involved in this.

Answer 1

If it is wet, it will soak up the water and be very big and difficult to insert. Best to wait until your period starts. There are directions in the box. Read those.

Answer 2

Well sweetie, you can't insert a wet tampon as they swell when they get wet. They will swell inside you're body as they absorb the blood. But you can insert a dry one to experiment. That won't hurt anything. You can leave it in for awhile to see how it feels.

Figure out how you're most comfortable first. Get into the position that's easiest for you to reach down there. That could be sitting on the toilet or propping one leg on the side of the bathtub or simply kind of squatting down.

Most tampons come inside of a casing so that you can insert them.. Tampax tampons have a cardboard casing which is horribly uncomfortable so stay away from those. I think all of the Playtex tampons have plastic applicators and those are slick so they're easier to insert. I like OB tampons which do not have an applicator. You just unwrap them and make a little indent for your finger and then insert. They NEVER leak, they're the best. But I think to start out you should use the applicator. You don't need any "deodorized" or "baking soda" or any other kooky kind. Just the plain jane will do. And ALWAYS have a couple of spares in your purse or your locker for those emergency times. It's a good idea to mark your cycle on your calendar each month so you know exactly when to expect your period.
Anyway, you have to make sure the string stays hanging down when you insert the tampon (so you can easily remove it), which will be easy with the ones in the applicators. That's really it. You will get used to it, believe me! You can expect a regular tampon to last from 1 to 2 hours---BUT that depends on how heavy your flow is. When I was younger my flow was really heavy. Too heavy in fact for wearing a tampon to bed. Pads are the ticket for bed and make sure to get the ones with wings!
I wish you success with your first period and I wish for you that you will be cramp free and NOT have PMS.
Go buy your tampons and read the enclosed instructions and safety tips, do your practicing, and you'll be ready.

Answer 3

It's not a bad idea to practise beforehand but the problem is, as I think you have appreciated, you will need some form of lubrication.
Moistening the tampon before you insert it is a good idea but don't wet it too much as it will expand before you can use it.
When you first use a tampon the ones with the card applicator are probably the easiest to handle, as they stay firm if you are a little hesitant and take some time over it - and if you do it's quite natural. The trouble with this kind off applicator when you have no natural lubrication is that it is inserted dry and may be difficult to remove. I have never tried pushing the tampon out of the tube, wetting it, then pulling it back but it should be possible.
When you come to insert the tampon for the first time it's instinctive to tense up - however, it's much easier if you try to relax as much as possible.
You sound like a very mature and sensible young lady.
All my good wishes to you.

Answer 4

okay well first of all.. i don't know why people said 'tampons are unhealthy' you should really do your homework if you are a female.
you can only get TSS if you leave a tampon in for more than 8 hours during your period.
I too, when i first used a tampon, was a little scared. but i wouldn't practice with one.. i'd just wait until you get your period. read the directions in the tampon box to help. you can also go to sites like beinggirl.com. they have good advice, myths, and commonly asked questions about period/tampons/etc.
tampons should NOT feel uncomfortable. i've found that some are because of the way they are made, but tampax PEARL i do not feel at all. you may feel it the first time or two you use a tampon because your not used to it, but you will eventually get used to it.
if you do practice you will need lubrication, but i don't suggest trying it really. it might irritate parts of your vagina as well because it is dry. if you take it out there will still be some fibers from the tampon there, but they come out naturally, and they do NOT cause TSS, so don't worry.
you can learn more about this from beinggirl.com, like i said.
hope i helped. =]
ps. it's not as scary as you think, trust me i went through the same thing. you get it in there, and bam your done. just relax bcos if you get too tense you may not get it in comfortably. =]

Answer 5

I would not use anything to wet it down, get some KY or something that is specifically for this area to lubricate the tampon first. Don't insert it dry because the cotton in the tampon can get stuck in your cervix and cause an illness called TSS. Definately practice, I had to do the same thing before I could get used to them, and remember, if you still feel it after an hour than it may not be inserted properly.

Answer 6

Hunny you should wait till you have your period, when you get it where a pad and try putting a tampon in aswel that way if you dont insert it properly the pad will catch the blood, the best way that i know of as to inserting it for first timers is to put one leg up on the bath or something so that your legs are apart then find the whole and push it it then sit down if you can feel it when you sit down its not in properly, insert it on an angle, goodluck

Answer 7

i dont think its the best idea to insert a tampon it u dont have a period yer. it wil really hurt when u pull it out. when u first start ur period use a pad. then on ur secont period try using a tampon. bt for u first time use the smallest ones.

Answer 8

ummm... yeah... i suppose mom would know better than i would. i mean, i've seen it done but, uhh... yeah... watch the video on "how to insert a tampon" here:

http://www.beinggirl.com/en_US/pages/goods_tampinsert.jsp

Answer 9

um no it isnt safe. it can be extremely uncomfortable. it is best just to wait.

Answer 10

I'm not a woman, but I've heard that is very unhealthy!