just another tampon question :P?

Question

ok so i bought tampons and i'm goning to try to use them for the first time, they are the plastic applicator. i tried them before and it was one of my moms and it was a cardboard applicator and i couldn't get it in!! are the plastic ones easier? and do you have any tips to help me insert one?

i'm very active in sports thats why i have to learn..just thought i'd throw that in :P

Answer 1

Just read the instructions. Most of them have pictures. It's awkward, but wonderful once you learn. I will never go back.

Answer 2

Yes, the plastic applicators are a lot easier to use than the cardboard ones. I tried using cardboard once and i could not put it in. The plastic ones gone in nice and smoothly without any problems. When putting it in for the first time, it may seem scary but its really not. You just have to relax and follow the instructions inside the box. If you can't find the hole, take a hand mirror and that may help you to insert it easier, that's what i did the first few times. Sitting on the toilet is probably the easiest way to get it in. Hope I helped and good luck.

Answer 3

That is not a weird question at all.

Tampons are the ideal solution for active girls who play sports and especially swim, and even for other girls they are MUCH more comfortable than pads, they are cleaner than pads, and much more environmentally friendly than pads.

Tampons do not hurt, and they are not at all uncomfortable, though sometimes girls are a little bit uncomfortable with the idea of inserting them at first.

One way to get past your fear of using a tampon, is to become better acquainted with yourself. Some time when you are not on your period, but before your next period, and when you have some time to be alone, take a few minutes to explore and see what the whole area is about. This is something that is essential for any girl.

Get comfortable, use a hand mirror, and with your other hand spread yourself open and look around. It is not dirty, or ugly, or wrong in any way, it is your body, you should know what it is about and how it works. When you are comfortable, slip a finger inside a few inches.

Next time you have a period, you will be ready to give a tampon a try, and will have a good idea what sort of experience to expect. It is different, but it is not bad. Honestly a tampon is WAY better than a pad ever was. Don’t feel bad if you don’t get it quite right the first few times you try it – it can take a bit of practice. Just keep trying until you get it right. When it is right you won’t be able to feel it at all.

Using a tampon with an applicator is easier at first, but I think the OB without the applicator is easier, more comfy to put in, and much better for the environment. You will have to pick for yourself.

Which ever one you get, follow the instructions on the box, and do not leave it in for longer than the instructions say is safe.

Answer 4

First, don't spit on it as one poster said she does...thank goodness she has never had a major infection caused by doing that! If this is an issue, a better and safer option is KY jelly...just a tad around the top of the tip. As I am sure you already know, make sure your hands are clean first!

Yes, generally speaking plastic tampons are easier to insert! You might also try something like O.B. with no applicator...many of my young clients prefer those.

Generally the main problem with tampons is that you don't get them in far enough...that is where the discomfort comes from. If you find it uncomfortable, simply insert you finger to push it a tad higher.


One more thing, don't try to use tampons when you have a light flow. Use them for the middle of your period or on heavier days. For the beginning and end of your period try using a pad. At least until you get more practice using tampons. Many women give up because they try them as soon as their period starts and it hurts!

With a little practice, and following some simple tips, you will successfully be using tampons in no time!

Answer 5

Plastic ones seem smoother to glide in but I still use cardboard applicators. I think I personally have the saddest story of when I started using tampons. I was 12, very athletic and hated pads. No one told me how to use tampons so I tried it out by myself. OMG it felt so umcomfortable. It wasn't until 16 when I told my best friend that I would never use tampons that she told me that I wasn't suppose to keep the applicator in...aren't I a sad one.

Tip: lift your leg on the toilet seat before inserting the tampon in. Helps with the pressure of pushing it up.

Answer 6

Plastic are much easier.

Stand up and put one foot on the toilet.
Hold the tampon insert end up.
Take a breath in.
Then as you are breathing out (this helps to relax the body) push the tampon in following the natural angle of your vagina.
When you have it so that your fingers just touch yourself then start pushing the bottom part of the applicator in so that the tampon releases from the plastic.
You should be good to go.

It may feel uncomfortable and I would suggest trying it the first time when you have a pretty heavy flow to make insertion easier.

Good luck!

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Just to add, get the tampons that expand in a 360degree rather then up and down. I find the ones that expand up and down feel like they are falling out. That's quite uncomfortable.

Answer 7

Number one tip? Relax. If you're stressed or anxious, the muscles at the base of your vagina can tighten, making it harder to put the tampon in.

You'll also be more likely to have success if you wait until the heaviest time of your period-there will be more blood and tissue to provide lubrication to ease the tampon in.

Before your period begins, sit down with a mirror between your legs, make sure you have good lighting and look at your genitals. Gently spread apart the inner labia (the inner, smaller lips of your vulva-see second link below) and locate your vagina.

If you feel comfortable with the idea, gently touch the area around the vagina with clean fingers to help yourself get oriented to what that part of your body feels like-and how it feels to touch yourself. That way, if you're trying to insert the tampon and aren't having success, you may have a better idea of what the problem is by how it feels. You can also bring out the mirror to help you guide the tampon applicator if you're having difficulty later.

Also, if you want, you can use a water based lubricant (No Vaseline!) to lubricate the tip of the applicator to help it slide in better.

Talk to your mom, older sisters or friends who use tampons and ask how they get them in or what tricks they have-they may be able to help you.

If it doesn't work? Go back to pads, give it a month or two and then try again; you'll get it!

Answer 8

Yes the plastic are easier.Try some lubricant for the first few times such as KY Jelly or some water-soluble.I would not use oil based this can cause an infection. The infection could be vaginal or unirary tract. This is what I would do,and this is just what I think. Call a nurse. Even your school nurse may have answers to alot of your questions

Answer 9

Very simple....the first thing is your got to relax your muscle....dont push! Make sure your thumb and forefinger are on the groved end of the applicator... when your on the toilet spred your legs and insert the applicator gentally in...when its in about half way is when you start to push the applicator together...one end into the other... when it is completely in you should not be able to feel it though being your first time you might notice it there but it should not hurt. If it hurts you can use your finger to push it in a bit more otherwise remove it, dispose of it, and use a new one and try again.

Answer 10

i find that the plastic insert alot easier than the cardboard. However you get more with the cardboard and are less expensive.

Their are different comfortable positions available on a pamphlet in the box. My most comfortable position is sittitng on the toilet with my legs spread open and insert.

Answer 11

MUCH EASIER! Tips- put one leg on the toilet. Makes it easier and less painful to insert the tampon. Good luck!