I am 14 and sooooo scared to use a tampon.?

Question

i dont know why, but i am just so scared to use a tampon. i am scared how to do it & the thought just freaks me out. But i need to because i have swimming in school & i just think it will be better. could you please tell me how to insert it, & please don't tell me to ask my mom. what kind will be the best for a teenager? i have Playtex Slim Fits?

does it hurt the first time?

Answer 1

You don't need to use a tampon at all, tampons are very bad for vaginal health, in fact commercial tampons like Tampax are the most harmful out of over twenty different menstrual options; they prevent normal vaginal cleaning functions, give bacteria a place to multiply within your vagina, contain chemicals that can affect normal vaginal pH, can leave fibres in your body, dry out vaginal mucosa causing vaginal splitting, this is why tampons are linked with so many health problems.

You need to be aware of these things before thinking about using tampons because these are serious, these risks are also greater for someone your age.

When it comes to swimming you can use menstrual cups, softcups, sponges, or even pads as long as you don't use commercial pads or organic pads because these can go soggy in the water.

I'd highly advise looking at all your menstrual options, given the risks and issues associated with tampons, particularly for your age, I would advise you stick to pads or free-flow options and then when you are older and feel ready to use internal menstrual options switch to a safer option such as menstrual cups, as well as much safer than tampons they are easier to use, more convenient, hygienic, environmentally friendly, cheaper, body-positive, can be worn up to 12 hours without leaks or danger and can be worn at night.

Have a look at your different options;

http://www.divacup.com – Silicone bell-shaped cup
http://www.keeper.com – Rubber bell-shaped cup
http://www.softcup.com – Instead softcups
http://www.lunapads.com – Cloth pads, padded panties, cups and sponges
http://www.readys.com – Cloth pad belts

If you are using tampons it is best to avoid commercial tampons like Tampax or Playtex so to limit your risks, try instead using sponge tampons, soft tampons, homemade tampons or organic tampons – organic tampons are just like commercial tampons only they are made from cotton and do not contain chemicals – http://www.natracare.com

To insert first of all you have to relax, make sure your hands are clean and you are in a comfortable position, it is best to practice when your period is at it's heaviest point so there will be more lubrication and it will prevent friction causing you pain on insertion.
You may want to try laying down on your bed with a mirror to see what you are doing, you may also want to use KY jelly for easier insertion or try masturbating beforehand to make sure you are relaxed and lubricated enough to make insertion easy.
Hold the tampon in your hand point towards your vagina aiming towards the base of your back, use your other hand to open your vagina and gently push the tampon inside (you may find if you have an intact hymen this will be difficult, you just need to practice and feel your way through it) push it in as far as it will go, if it causes you pain then stop and try again, you can always throw the tampon away and try with a fresh tampon later on, don't stress about getting it in first time.
You should change every 4 hours, make sure that you have the right absorbency starting with the smallest absorbency first, if you find you leak within the 4 hours then try the next absorbency up and keep going until you get the right size – remember your period becomes lighter towards the end of your period so you'll need to reduce absorbency then.
Don't use tampons when you are sleeping at night because as well as meaning it would not get changed as often as it should it also means the blood is not flowing down into the tampon, so instead the tampon just absorbs your discharge that can lead to more vaginal splitting.
When you are ready to remove the tampon clean your hands, then gently pull down on the strings, pull slightly forward to go with the shape of your vagina, dispose of it properly, tampons are not flushable, they should always be thrown into a bin, then clean your hands again.

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.

Answer 2

First, there are really complete instructions (with pictures) in the tampon package. Playtex Slim Fits is a good choice. The kind that doesn't have an inserter may be be less scary, like OB.

To insert a tampon, stand in front and slightly to the side of the toilet, with the lid down, and rest your right foot on the lid. Gently part your labia and press in the tampon until your labial lips close around the base. You don't want to shove it in so far that it hurts, just so that it's completely inside you.

If you are very dry inside, inserting the tampon will be more difficult. Rub a little hand lotion on the tampon housing to make it slide in easier. If you use the kind of tampon without a plastic or cardboard housing, put some lotion on your finger and swirl it inside your vagina just a little ways to lubricate yourself.

Here's a website with a little more information, including a diagram. However, you don't need to insert your tampon that far up into your vagina! Remember to remove the tampon after swimming and either replace it with a fresh one or use a sanitary pad. Women who have left tampons in too long are susceptible to infection and toxic shock syndrome. It's ok to use tampons regularly; it's leaving them in too long that causes problems.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tampon

An alternative to tampons is the reusable menstrual cup, which is inserted into your vagina and catches the flow. However, if you are still a virgin and/or have your hymen still intact, you would find it difficult to use a menstrual cup because of how high against the cervix they must be placed. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menstrual_cup

Enjoy your swimming lessons!

Answer 3

Okay you sit down on the toilet and stick it up into yourself all the way to the grip then push the bottom part up until you feel like it cant go up any farther it may hurt a little at first expecaly if you cramp but after a couple of times it will get better also don't be scared this is something almost every girl has to go through now some people cannot wear tampons if that is the case just ask your doctor for a note and take it to you swim teacher and if it is a guy teacher then take it to one of your female teachers and ask them to give it to your swim teach for you.

Answer 4

Platex slim fits is probably a good choice- make sure the tube that holds the tampon (the insertor, i guess you would call it) is plastic, not cardboard-plastic is more comfy. for your first try, smooth some vaseline on the inserter and around the opening of your vagina if you want. Slide it in asfar as it will go, and then push in the plunger. then pull the plastic insertor out. Make sure you can feel the string.

It really isn't bad at all. after the first time, it will be a breeze, and they are so much better than pads.

If you have any more questions, there should be a 800 number on the box- and do not be embarrassed-we all do it for the first time. Just a part of being a woman...welcome to the club.

Answer 5

Don't worry!! The slim ones are the best when you're first starting to use them. Plastic or at least smooth coated applicators are also better and try using them when your period is a bit heavier so it slides in a bit easier. Read what the package says or go to the link below. Don't forget to remove the tampon from the wrapper! (I heard a funny story about that once)

You're not limited to tampons though. A lot of women have never heard of menstrual cups. They work like tampons, but instead of absorbing, they just "hold" the stuff in the cup until you take it out. I've never tried it, but it looks like a good idea too.

Answer 6

I know, this can be scary at first but no worries. You will get it. OK, so take it out of the wrapper. Then stick the round tip into your vagina, up until the ridge at the skinny tube part. Then, press the skinny round tube part up. You will notice it will go up into the first half of the tampon. This is what pushes the tampon into you. (Try it first before you insert it into your body so you will know what it is like.) Then throw away the applicator. You should not leave any of the hard plastic in your body. Only the cotton inside should go in. If you can't feel it then it is in the right place. The box also should have instructions w/ pics to help you, and how to best position your body. You will love tampons once you get the hang of it. Much easier then pads. Yes, first use the skinny ones to get used too, then you can move up to thicker ones.

Answer 7

You will not get that syndrome thing unless you insert the tampon when you do not have a period. When I was 14 my mom put my tampon in because I didn't know how to do it, but it feels kind of weird when you put it in but then it not so bad later then if you can't get it out then take a bath and it should help. good luck!

Answer 8

I Would Read The Paper That Comes In With The Tampons, They Will Help You Learn How To Put Them In. You Just Need To Relax When You Try To Put One In, And Try Not To Be Scared. Its Not That Bad. They Have Ones Out Now That Good For Gilrls That Play Sports. I Would Try Those Since You In Swimming. Good Luck. Just Relax

Answer 9

Ipersonally was never able to use tampons-- the proper way is to put one foot on the toilet then insert until the applicator is in comfortably. Then check for the string, and slowly pull the applicator out. When you pull slightly on the string you should feel a slight pull, it is in place.Change regularly, after you urinate to keep up with the tampon and your flow.

Answer 10

the way i did it my first time i hid myself in my closet (it was a large walk in closet, plenty of space) and I had a large hand held mirror. I read the directions on the box and sat on the carpet, and learned that way. If you want step by step.... sit down, unwrap it, and hold it tightly and put it in until you get to the end. push in the plunger and take it out.
it'll feel weird at first, but after a few times it'll be natural and u also wont feel it when it's inside.

A tip for swimming: take the string and put it along the side of your "lip" and leg and have it going toward your butt. That will keep it from coming out in your suit.

dont be scared. it's ok and we ALL know how u feel. It wont hurt, it'll just be ... weird

FYI- it will NOT go any worse than when I tried my first time... i had jumbo ones!

Answer 11

I was terrified to use tampons..I didn't use them until I was 21..lol..and once I tried it I liked it! But yea..it can be scary..I had a really good friend to talk to...maybe you should find someone a little older to talk to face to face...

and check out this site to disspell some of the myths told about tampons...

http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/1852.html