I have had my period for quite a while but i would like to use tampons now. i have tried it but it hurts. why?

Answer 1

Tampons can hurt if they are put in incorrectly as too low down or put into the wrong hole it can be painful, pains similar to very bad menstrual cramps, if this is what is happening simply remove the tampon and try again at a later time.

Often nerves affect tampon insertion, your vagina naturally stretches and expands there is also lubrication in the discharge and menstrual flow to help insertion, but if you are nervous this will make the muscles in your vagina tense up making penetration difficult. You may want to look at the following article, it is about painful penetrative sex, but much of the information and advice is also valid here as it is primarily about painful vaginal penetration and how to resolve the problem - http://www.scarleteen.com/sexuality/owtowow.html

If your hymen is in tact this may also make tampon insertion difficult, the hymen breaking can be painful for some girls, where as for some girls there is no pain at all or the hymen breaking can even be pleasurable. If your hymen is in tact this may be what it causing you pain so you may want to wait until you are older to use tampons when they hymen may have broken by other means, hopefully with less pain, or you may wan to talk to your doctor about the pain and if the hymen is the problem they can cut it for you. If you don't know if your hymen is in tact you can look by sitting comfortably and using a mirror to look at your vulva (external part of your genitals) to see the vaginal opening. The hymen is different from girl/woman to girl/woman but usually if in tact it will look like a ring of flesh around the opening to your vagina, where as if broken it will look like flaps of skin around the vaginal opening. There is a good site that shows images, not photos, of the hymen so you know what to look for here - http://www.healthystrokes.com/hymengallery.html

Tampons can also be felt even when put into the vagina correctly as tampons are dry wads of material it means that they can cause friction burns and drying of the vaginal walls, chemicals within commercial tampons can also cause irritation or allergic reactions. The string can also be felt, many women find that when it moves about during the day it can become painful as the string can pull tight between the inner labia (inner lips) of their vulva (external genitals).

Tampons also expand, widthways expanding tampons can contribute to bloating feeling during menstruation and length-ways expanding tampons can expand into the already sensitive cervix, tampons also pose health risks meaning that the decrease in vaginal health can contribute to menstrual health problems such as heavy menstrual flow or menstrual cramping.

If using tampon it is best to lay with your back propped up against some pillows so you can see your vulva and use a mirror in good light to see the opening to your vagina, and then try also adding some KY jelly to the end of the tampon to make insertion easier. A good method of putting in internal menstrual options would be to masturbate to orgasm; this will relax your vagina as well as produce more lubrication making insertion easier.

If you are going to try tampons make sure you change as every 4 hours, use the lowest absorbency for your menstrual flow, don't wear tampons when you sleep, and don't use tampons when not menstruating or with a light menstrual flow. There are a lot of dangers associated with tampons because they prevent normal vaginal cleaning functions, give bacteria pores place to multiply where menstrual blood is present making them unhygienic, dry out the mucosa of the vagina causing vaginal splitting and in the case of commercial tampons they introduce chemicals into the vagina affecting not just vaginal health but general health. Tampons significantly increase risk of toxic shock syndrome, vaginal splitting, vaginal infections and menstrual problems.

http://www.toxicshock.com – About toxic shock syndrome.
http://www.tamponalert.org.uk – Tampon related toxic shock syndrome.
http://www.spotsite.org – Tampon dangers and issues.


I would suggest you look at all your menstrual options, a lot of women are not avoiding tampons because of their health risks as well as other issues such as cost, inconvenience, environmental damage and social taboos – options such as cloth pads, padded panties, free-flow methods or menstrual cups.

Menstrual cups are the only safe internal option so may be a lot better for you than tampons as well as this they are easier to use than tampons. Menstrual cups are internal like tampons however they are far more hygienic, safer, greener, cheaper, and more convenient as they can be worn at night, when you are not menstruating and can be worn for up to 12 hours without leaking or health risks, they also offer money back guarantees so you can try them first.

Divacup menstrual cup – http://www.divacup.com
Keeper menstrual cup – http://www.keeper.com
Instead softcups – http://www.softcup.com

I would at least recommend you use safer types of tampons such as organic tampons, sponge tampons, soft tampons or homemade tampons as these are made form natural materials and do not contain chemicals, so not as dangerous as commercial tampons.

Natracare Organic Tampons – http://www.natracare.com
Jade & Pearl Sponge Tampons – http://www.jadeandpearl.com
Lunapads cloth pads and other menstrual options – http://www.lunapads.com

Answer 2

Are you sure you're putting them in correctly? Have you actually been able to insert one? If not, you may be trying to push it into the urethra (the tube urine flows from), which is MUCH to small to fit a tampon!The urethra is in FRONT of the vagina, but very close to it. If you have inserted it, and it hurts, you may be using a tampon that's too large, or putting it in at an odd angle. The vagina angles back toward your spine, so push the tampon in and back, not straight up. If you leave some of it sticking out, that, too can cause irritation and pain.

With some practice (you might try lubricating the tip with K-Y jelly), you will eventually get it right. Lying down while inserting it also makes it much easier.

Look at a diagram, so you can visualize where you are putting it!

Good luck!

Answer 3

It is not very proper for me to answer this question because I am male. I just want to warn you, in case you do not know already, that by using tampons you will face the risk of "toxic shock" which is rare but very serious, and if you begin to experience the symptoms you should remove the tampon right away and seek medical care immediately. About why it hurts, if you don’t get your answer here, go ask a gynecologist.

Answer 4

You could just be using a size that is too big for you. If that's not it try using them after the first day of your period is over. A lot of women can't wear tampons the first day of their period because it is too painful. If it's neither of those then you are just not made for them. Not all women can wear them. Good luck!!!

Answer 5

Not all women can wear tampons comfortably. I would check with your OB/GYN and ask if you're putting them in right and if you are, if there's something about your body that would make wearing them uncomfortable. When you put them in, don't shove straight up. Follow the natural path of your body-more angled towards your back.

Answer 6

let me tell you my story....I tried tampons ( was a virgin then) and it was too painful to insert it in...so I didn't try it again until I got married and my opening got more flexible and inserting tampons is much easier. I am not saying you should get married and have sex and make your hole wider...I was only telling you my story...I think its funny...but it is true.

Answer 7

Maybe you aren't putting it in the right way! when i first started using them it hurt but after awhile you get used to it! read the directions carefully and point it towards your back!! or just have sex!!

Answer 8

ok i feel weird answering this question. If you put it in wrong then its gonna hurt like hell. When you put it in make sure that you aim towards your lower back-not straight up.

Answer 9

You are nervous or not doing it right. Do you not have an older female relative or friend you can confide in ?

Answer 10

Are you a virgin? If so you may have a small hymen .Stick to the pads until later.