why does inserting a tampon hurt??

Question

i managed to use a tampon for the very first time last month when my period came. however, for this month, when period came, i tried using a tampon once again but i was unable to and it was VERY VERY PAINFUL.
why is it so weird??
i used the same position during insertion as well as the same brand and type of tampon. i had read the instructions from the box on both occassions ...
yet. i had managed to use the tampon last month but i simply couldnt this month.
where did i go wrong??
or is there something wrong down there??

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

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
why does inserting a tampon hurt??
i managed to use a tampon for the very first time last month when my period came. however, for this month, when period came, i tried using a tampon once again but i was unable to and it was VERY VERY PAINFUL.
why is it so weird??
i used the same position during insertion as well as the same brand...

Answer 3

buy some lubricant, ie durex play lubricant, or ky jelly, wipe a small amount on the tampon and insert, it may help

Answer 4

You're probably doing it wrong. It took me awhile to figure out the right way to put it in too, you probably just got lucky the first time. Just keep trying.

Answer 5

are you virgin? if so that might be why it hurts, because it might be touching the hymen. or maybe its too dry down there. im not a virgin, but sometimes when im on my period and i try putting a tampon in and its too dry down there it hurts really bad. hope this helps! :D

Answer 6

I agree it could be too big like a heavy flow one. Maybe you could use a little lube first.

Answer 7

IT'S HARDER TO PUT IN WHEN YOUR PERIOD IS ALMOST OVER. TRY SQUATTING DOWN AND WHEN YOU INSERT THE TAMPON TRY INSERING IT UP TOWARD YOUR BELLY INSIDE OF YOU AND RELAX.

Answer 8

there is probably nothing wrong with you. But if it continues to hurt stick with pads...

Answer 9

sometimes being a new user it can hurt... it takes time to get used to...

Answer 10

First, I would not use a tampon if you have not had you period for more than 2 years.