Tampon insertion can be difficult at first, the first thing I would say is to try to change between applicator and non-applicator tampons to see which are easier for you to use.
How to insert a commercial or organic tampon [non-applicator];
Always make sure you wash your hands before and after!
•Get into a position that is comfortable for you, standing or sitting.
If sitting then sit on the toilet, if standing try one foot on the toilet seat.
•Hold the tampon in your right hand if you are right-handed, left if left-handed.
•Use your thumb and middle finger to hold the bottom of the tampon.
•Use your other hand to hold open the labia (lips) of your vulva/vagina.
•Point the tampon towards you vagina aiming to the small of your back.
•Gently push the tampon into your vagina as far as it will go.
•Insure strings are hanging down from your vagina.
•Dispose of rubbish in the nearest bin – never flush.
•When ready to remove the tampon pull gently on the strings, down and forward – tampons should never be flushed, always bin your tampons.
You can see instruction images here;
http://geocities.com/4birthing/insert.html
http://www.youngwomenshealth.org/tampon.html
Most importantly wait until you are on your period and at a time when your period is at its heaviest so the tampon can be inserted easier and so you can be sure it is the right time to insert a tampon.
Relaxation is vital, there is no such thing as being 'too tight', your vagina is naturally stretchy – remember at some point if you choose to have children a baby may well have to come out of that seemingly little hole. The best way to relax enough for penetration is to masturbate as when aroused your vagina almost doubles in size, vaginal muscles relax and your vagina produces lubrication – you may want to use KY jelly or olive oil as lubrication on the end of the tampon to make insertion easier.
It is difficult to insert them into the wrong place, down below you have three holes; the urethra (where urine and ejaculation come from), the vagina (where blood and discharge come from) and your anus (where poo comes from) – some girls do put it into the urethra, this would hurt a lot so you would know about it. It is vital you know what's what, take a mirror and look at what you have down there, it helps to relax on your bed in a position where you can look comfortably. I'd also strongly recommend you take a look at a few sites, this will help you know what is what down there.
This is a very good image of a vulva (external part of your genitals) that has the vaginal opening clearly labelled for you ("vaginal orifice ") - http://www.3dvulva.com/diagrams/diag-vulva-open-02-22.jpg
Information on the vagina and menstruation;
http://www.scarleteen.com
http://www.the-clitoris.com
http://www.myvag.net
http://www.vaginaverite.com
http://www.menstruation.com.au
http://www.debuinc.com
http://www.mum.org
http://www.sisterzeus.com/teensection.html
Your hymen may get in your way if you have one and if it is not already broken, if it is in tact it might prevent you from using internal options unless you can stretch your hymen or are willing to break your own hymen – your hymen has nothing to do with if you are a virgin or not, it is also not always painful for a girl to break her hymen.
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
It is okay that you want to try tampons but be aware that tampons are one of the most unhygienic and unsafe menstrual options available to you, using tampons does not make you mature but educating yourself about your body and all your options is – trust me once you have learned about your body and other options you will not be so keen to use tampons!
Menstrual options;
Commercial tampons – e.g. Tampax
Organic tampons – e.g. Natracare
Sponge tampons – e.g. Jade & Pearl
Soft tampons – e.g. Gynotex
Homemade tampons
Padettes
Commercial pads – e.g. Always
Organic pads – e.g. Organic Essentials
Cloth pads – e.g. Gladrags
Pad belts – e.g. Ready's
Homemade pads
Padded panties – e.g. Lunapanties
Period blankets
Silicone bell-shaped menstrual cups – e.g. Divacup
Rubber bell-shaped menstrual cups – e.g. Keeper
Softcups – e.g. Instead
Diaphragms used as menstrual cups
Homemade menstrual cups
Free-flow
Free-flow layering
Free-flow instinctive
Extraction
Tampons are the most harmful menstrual options because tampons negatively affect your vaginal health (preventing self-cleaning, absorbing vaginal fluids, giving bacteria a place to multiply, leaving fibres in the vagina, introducing chemicals into the vagina) this means they can also cause vaginal splitting, vaginal infections and even prolong your periods and increase menstrual cramps. If you are young such as in your teens you are at additional risk because your body does not have the same antibodies as adult women's bodies and your vagina is still maturing so the mucosa (skin like lining of your vagina) is more delicate so more prone to splitting and irritation.
Tampon risks;
http://www.spotsite.org
http://www.tamponalert.co.uk
http://www.wen.org.uk/sanpro
http://www.seac.org/tampaction
http://cookiepuss.tripod.com/tampons.htm
http://www.frontiernet.net/%7Eruthb/Tampons.html
If you do want to try tampons I would highly suggest not using commercial tampons like Tampax because these are made from synthetic materials that not only are more absorbent but also harsh so upping the risk of TSS and vaginal splitting, these also contain chemicals that can cause health problems and can interfere with the normal pH of your vagina thus increasing your risk of TSS and vaginal infections.
Instead try using organic tampons that are made from 100% organic cotton and are not chemically treated or bleached, alternatively try using sponge tampons or homemade tampons that may also be easier for you to use.
Organic and sponge tampons;
http://www.natracare.com
http://www.lunapads.com
http://www.jadeandpearl.com
http://www.tampontification.com...
http://www.organicessentials.com...
I would highly suggest you look at getting yourself a menstrual cup or a softcup, menstrual cups are internal like tampons but unlike tampons they are safe, hygienic, environmentally friendly and cheap, they can also be left in for up to 12 hours without leaking, including when you go to bed, for sports like swimming and before your period is even due.
Menstrual cups have money back guarantees too so you can try them and return them if you don't like using them.
Menstrual cups;
http://www.divacup.com
http://www.softcup.com
http://www.thekeeper.com
http://www.mooncup.co.uk
http://www.lunette.fi
As for pads you might want to look at other pad options, I am taking an educated guess that you are using commercial pads such as Always or Kotex, these can feel bulky and uncomfortable because they are made from synthetics that stop air getting to your genitals so they can make you feel sweaty and irritate your skin.
There are organic pads that are a little better, but you might want to look at cloth pads that come in all different shapes and sizes including even padded panties, you can make your own cloth pads too; they are a lot more comfortable than commercial pads.
Cloth pads;
http://www.lunapads.com
http://www.gladrags.com
http://www.reddyspads.com
http://urban-armor.org/urban-armor...
http://www.hagrag.bigstep.com
http://www.pleasurepuss.com
http://www.wen.org.uk/sanpro/reports/mak...
http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/baby/pad...
When using tampons be sure not to use tampons when you are not menstruating, also be aware that you should not use tampons when you are sleeping not just because of the length of time they will be in but also because when laying down blood does not flow down so tampons will absorb more discharge/vaginal fluids.
Change your tampons every 4 hours, if you find the tampons are still dry or white then use a lower absorbency if you need to change sooner then increase the absorbency – always use the lowest absorbency for your flow, this means changing what absorbency you are using throughout your period.
If you have any more questions feel free to e-mail me from my profile, good luck, and seriously try looking at safer menstrual options.
2007-01-20 13:55:31
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answer #1
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answered by Kasha 7
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If you don't know where to put tampons - let alone the name of the place you put it in - I think you maybe too immature to use tampons. But, if you really want to use them I suggest you go to beinggirl.com. They have all kinds of information on tampons and very informative articles about TSS, insertion, and asking mom/dad to get them. Also, if you search tampon insert you'll come up with a video (it's a cartoon so don't worry) and a list of instructions. I also suggest that you should go to tampax.com, too, it's also very informative and it's the co-creator of beinggirl.com (beinggirl is made by tampax/always).
2007-01-20 21:56:19
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answer #2
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answered by Genius Next Door 5
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I wish I had asked someone. I know it sounds stupid but I left the cardboard on it.
Check out the link below.
And, FYI, use the ones that open like a full skirt does when you spin around (playtex sport are good), not the ones that just swell into a thick stick, they tend to leak.l
http://www.youngwomenshealth.org/tampon.html
2007-01-20 21:37:59
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answer #3
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answered by celia17 3
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