To many changes of the Tampons/Pads?

Question

I've changed my tampon 3 times in the last few hours becasue I think I need practice and I'm worried there not as absorbent as they say. How long can I wear my tampon for, or, how long do you wear yours? And is this normal?

I have a Moderate/Light flow. Also, please tell me your tampon recommendation.

Answer 1

This is an interesting question. Especially when you consider that I've been using the same brand since I was a young teenager. Tampax. Now they've gone and changed not only the box and packaging.... But the tampon itself.

I find them harder to use and have actually been pinched by them. And mind you, because I have "female problems" and bleed a lot, I use quite a lot of them (like 4 boxes a month). I've found that the size really matters and the amount of time varies according to the flow. If I"m flowing heavy, I have to change every hour to two hours. Other times I can go from 3-6 hours. When the flow is light, I can go 4-8 hours (usually sleeping times).

I personally don't think you can change your tampons TOO much. You have to do what's comfortable for you. You just have to be careful not to leave them in for too long. That's where you can run into problems with the TSS illness. So be aware of that.

Practicing is great if you feel like you need it and it's not gonna hurt you; I'd like to suggest that you experiment with the different absorbency's that are available. I cannot use anything higher than a super w/o having trouble. Each woman is different and you just need to get to know your own personal needs. Good luck to ya!

Answer 2

You must be new to this. Don't worry, you aren't going to get Toxic Shock Syndrome for wearing a tampon for 3 hours... I change my tampon every 3 hours and I use the correct tampon according to my cycle flow: Super Absorbency (heavy bleeding), Regular (Normal flow) and lite (for when your period is most likely about to go off). As long as you aren't letting your tampons stay in for like 6 or 7 hours you should be good. On average I change tampons 8 or 9 times a day, but if you're changing yours 3 times every few hours, you'd be better off just wearing a pad because you're wasting your money and you tampons! Hope this helped!

Answer 3

Hi May,
Nothing wrong with practice, although it can get a little expensive if you change tampons so often ;)
How absorbent are they? It's subjective. In time you will find out. Everyone's different.
Personally speaking, I need to change 'super' tampons every 3-4 hours in the first day of my period, or even more often; after that I can leave a 'super' or even 'normal' in for 5-6 hours. Leaving a tampon in overnight is normal, too - though personally I prefer pads for night except for the first night when I need both.
Day 3/4, I need only pads, after that pantyliners, which I have to change every hour - 4 hours (depends on the month, even!) - not much flow but it goes on for days 'n' days... but that's me.
Ask a sister/friend/cousin what they do. There is no absolute answer.
If, like me, you grew up in a mostly male family & couldn't talk to your mum, you just find out as you go along.
The most important thing is not to worry, keep fresh tampons/pads with you (and some clean panties!) and be ready to change even if you're not sure.
The only bad thing you can do is leave a tampon in for something like 12 hours+, because it gets stagnant & not very nice, and can lead to Toxic Shock Syndrome. When I was a teenager the advice was never, ever leave a tampon in for more than 8 hours or you will be in hospital with TSS and maybe die. Recent reports (in the last 2 years or so) say that HYGIENE (ie, keep your bits clean ;) but not excessively) is the key factor in TSS (in most cases), and you can actually leave a tampon in for 8 hours+...12 hours...depends on your flow, and as you have more periods & get more used to it and your body, you'll figure it out.
It's great that you're asking questions, keep on asking if you need to, plenty of people will tell you plenty of things. Just remember though, everyone is different and what works for your mum/sister/cousin/best friend, might not work for you 'cause you're YOU but anyway, you'll get a feel for it, as they say.
Don't worry! :)

Answer 4

Wear a tampon no longer than 4 or 5 hours. If you're worried that the tampons you're not wearing arent absorbent enough wear super tampons! I just started wearing tampons myself and I wore them 2 hours. I was having a heavy flow though and I only had small/slim tampons. If you feel like you need to change your tampon every 2 hours or so.. it doesn't hurt! It'll be safer and you'll be at less of a rish of getting TSS!

Answer 5

Tampons can be safely worn for 6-8 hours. However, you might need to change them more often depending on how heavy your flow is. I used to change my tampons every 3-4 hours but then I switched to a menstrual cup which holds twice as much as a super plus tampon and never leaks. Best of luck!

www.divacup.com

Answer 6

Depending on how heavy your period is, usually about 3 to 4 hours between changes. If you are changing more often and it is soaked, you need to buy the next level of absorbency. There are many types and brands out there. If you are using max absorbency, and still need to change often, you may be having excessive heavy bleeding. In this case, you should visit your doctor. The correct use of the tampon is that it should soak up blood and then expand within the vagina before you remove it. If you are removing it and it is still rough and partly dry, you should leave it in a bit longer. DO NOT use them for overnight protection--you run the risk of dangerous infections.

Answer 7

If you are having a heavy flow you shouldn't really rely on tampons or you will be changing them more frequently. If you have a light to medium flow you should be changing it every 4 hours or so. If you're heavy I'd say stick with the pads until you're light again, then switch if it's more comfortable.

Answer 8

I wear Playtex gentle glide super absorbency tampons for 6 to 7 hours (sometimes 5 if it's really bad on my third day). That is for heavy flow. I wear the Playtex gentle glide regulars toward the last two days for 7 hours.

You're changing yours too often and doing that can make you sore and make it harder to insert them (it does me). They ARE as absorbent as they say.

Answer 9

when i wear tampons i wear them about 4 hours at a time to make sure that i don't leak. don't change them so much it'll hurt. i had a badd experience with that.

Answer 10

well use a liner just in case it starts leaking. it all depends on if you have a heavy/moderate/light flow. read the box and it will say how long you should keep it in