Tampon Trouble

LegacyUser

(Mods, I'm not sure if this would be more suited to TLL but I figure more people read this forum so I'd get more responses.)

I ended up talking to a group of friends about periods, and it turns out that they all use tampons. I've used pads for years but I hate them, I really hate them. I've tried to use tampons before but I get really panicked and nervous and afraid that the string will snap. I really want to use tampons but I'm too worried. Has anyone else had this problem? I just want to know if it'll ever go!

Neyite

The string will not snap. If you try to pull the string out you will see that it is stitched right through it. I have been using tampons for 21 years now (jaysis, showing my age here!) and it has never ever happened that a string snapped.

I would suggest getting a couple off a friend and try to pull the string out of a clean one yourself - you will be surprised how much strength you would need but it might reassure you.

baby and crumble

it's never happened to me either, and I've been using them for over 10 years- they are double stitched and everything. BUT even if it does snap (which it won't!), it's not like tampons go very far into your body. You can always get one out just using your fingers and a mirror if needs be.

ElleEm

I use tampons and have never had a problem.
Try doing what another poster said and try pulling the string out of one yourself- it should be near impossible.

Toots

I'd have to agree with that Neyite and baby and crumble have said, there's no way the string could snap and even if it did, you'd be able to get the tampon out yourself.

If you give them a try chances are you'll never look back, they're just so much more discreet and tidier than towels. You can swim while wearing them, and you're not restricted to giant knickers that can accommodate a pad!

What I'd recommend if you're starting off is get a multi box that has a few different sizes in it, usually from light right up to super so you'll be able to figure out which ones suit you. You wouldn't be using a super tampon the whole way through your period, probably only on your heaviest day. Also if it's your first time using them you might find it easier to start off with a light/regular tampon and change it more frequently until you're used to them, then you could try a heavier size if you need it. Another tip I used when I was a teenager and first started using tampons, if it's one of your light days you might find it more difficult to insert the tampon, so I used a little dab of KY jelly on the top of the tampon which made it more comfortable to use. Also be prepared to try a few different brands and types before you find the one that's right for you.

LegacyUser

Very unlikely tampon string would break.
You've probably heard of this before, but just incase you haven't I'll post 2 links anyway.
They are short articles about toxic shock syndrome which can sometimes be caused from improper use of tampons.[It can be caused from other things too] It has caused deaths before, so it's worth being aware of it even the chances are very slim.
http://www.epigee.org/health/toxic.html
http://www.tampax.ie/en-IE/forYourInfo/forYourInfoArticle.aspx?ID=tss

As long as you don't forget to remove a tampon, and keep your hands clean, you should be perfectly safe.

I've often seen a thing called a mooncup being talked about in the Ladies Lounge, and it seems quite popular.
I prefer pads myself, but the mooncup thing might be worth reading up on too if you're interested.

trio

Once you go Mooncup you don't go back.

BUT there's no string. So if the OP gets anxious at the thought of not being able to get a tampon out, I'd say she'd be twice as anxious with a Mooncup.

They need a bit of practise alright, but once you get used to removal you get pretty quick at it.

coolcat63

As per the earlier poster, get a pack and practice putting them in and removing. The worst thing that can happen is the string gets tucked up inside you and takes a minute or two to retrieve but the tampon can't go wandering about inside your body!

When I started using tampons I had the same fears as you and I did exactly what the first couple of posters said. I took a fresh one out of the packet and put it under every stress test I could think of. I pulled the main bit from every direction and then tried to pull the string out as best I could. I even rolled it between my hands for ages to see if it might wear apart. Honestly, turns out they're pretty sturdy! You'll feel a lot better if you try it yourself.

Dublin25

My two pence worth. I not a fan of tampons, same as OP nervous, anxious and very unrelaxed trying to use them. I was in a situation last year were i had to just get over it and use them for work reasons. I tried the new pearl ones with the applicator. I found these much much easier to use do to the way they were made.
Whilst i wouldn't normally use tampons, incases i have to I find these excellent.

ElleEm

Oh yeah, applicators FTW!!

Elle Collins

It wouldn't break in a million years and so what if it did? You'd just put your fingers into your vagina and remove it. What's there to panic about?

LegacyUser

I have been using tampons for many years, it was only this year that the string on one broke. A bit of panic on how to get it out but got it out after a while with no major hassle.

Its one of thise things that are unlightly to happen again. I would say get a pack and give them a try. Really gives you so much more freedom

Penny Dreadful

OP try breathing out as you try to insert the tampon. It make the muscles in your pelvic region relax and it should make inserting the tampon easier for you.
The breathing tip was given to me by my GP when I was having my smear test done and it worked a treat.

titanium feather

In my opinion, pads are so horrible and bulky and inconvenient. And they're also quite unhygenic ... I have often noticed that you can smell when someone is wearing pads, and that's just not nice.

Personally, I started using tampons pretty much from when my period started, and never looked back. With tampons, the waste never leaves your body until you take the tampon out, so there is no issue with smell etc. If you really can't use tampons, Mooncups seem to work quite well for a lot of people.

I just don't think it's right to use what is essentially a "nappy" to hold the blood in your knickers during your period! It's just not nice or hygenic.

Tampontwo wrote: »

I have been using tampons for many years, it was only this year that the string on one broke. A bit of panic on how to get it out but got it out after a while with no major hassle.

Can I ask, what brand were you using when it broke?

As you say yourself, it wouldn't be any big deal if it did break; I still wouldn't be too happy though and would probably get on to the manufacturer! Because that really shouldn't ever happen!

newbee22

I've been using them years and the string never snapped, as an above poster mentioned the pearl ones are easy to use!

LegacyUser

Hey OP - I too have been using tampons for about 12 years and like someone else said up until this year, Ive never had a problem. I think there was something faulty about one particular box though as twice in a row the sting pulled out of them. No major panic - easy enough to remove, I just stopped using the rest of that box then and kept meaning to take them back to where I bought them...
But anyway sorry for rambling - my point is Go For It. Take your time, breath and relax, you wont know yourself with the difference between using tampons and pads. I would never go back

doctor evil

Mooncup FTW

I used tampons with the cardboard applicator for years with no issue but I much prefer the mooncup. I feel 'fresher' using it.

Make sure the applicator is cardboard, the plastic ones can pinch you if not careful.

LegacyUser

I tried to use a tampon a few years ago but I felt very uncomfortable and sore. I just remember that feeling it was horrible so I have no choice but to use sandiary towels. I am sure they are safe enough but they don't suit all women though.

Honey-ec

chineselantern78 wrote: »

I tried to use a tampon a few years ago but I felt very uncomfortable and sore. I just remember that feeling it was horrible.

Generally, if you can feel a tampon inside you, then it's not in far enough.

OP, try both applicator and non-applicator tampons; some people will swear that one or the other is the only way to go, but you won't know which suits you until you try both.

Whichever you go for, aim for the small of your back when you're inserting it. If you go straight up or straight back, it won't sit properly and will feel very uncomfortable. Once you have a tampon inserted properly, you can't feel it at all.

Good luck! Once you get comfortable using tampons, you'll never look back, believe me.

Doogieboogie

Honey-ec wrote: »

Generally, if you can feel a tampon inside you, then it's not in far enough.

OP, try both applicator and non-applicator tampons; some people will swear that one or the other is the only way to go, but you won't know which suits you until you try both.

Whichever you go for, aim for the small of your back when you're inserting it. If you go straight up or straight back, it won't sit properly and will feel very uncomfortable. Once you have a tampon inserted properly, you can't feel it at all.

Good luck! Once you get comfortable using tampons, you'll never look back, believe me.

This^^^

Aim back rather than up, and make sure you insert it in far enough - sometimes, if I feel it hasn't gone in far enough, I push it in another little bit with my index finger and that seems to do the trick (wash your hands first!) The trick is to relax, and certainly if you feel you need it, use a dab of KY jelly.