I'm kind of hesitant about posting this, but considering that this is a subject I haven't had the courage to bring up with my therapist or my doctor, maybe posting this here will serve as a sort of practice run for me.

(Also, this will probably go into TMI territory, so, uh, apologies in advance.)

So, basically, I'm in my early twenties, and I've had my period since I was eleven, and I'm still having trouble using tampons. I think I've attempted using them at least once a year since I started menstruating, and today was the only time I've actually managed to insert a tampon instead of getting about a centimetre in and being in pain. I have no idea if it's in properly because I can feel it, but it isn't leaking. All the sites I've looked at online say that I shouldn't feel it if it's in all the way, but I'm pretty sure I can feel it. But I assumed that it would be leaking if it wasn't all the way in, which is why I'm confused.

I've considered the possibility of my having vaginismus, but I know that's something I would have to discuss with my doctor to be certain. Inserting tampons (and, uh, other things, *ahem*) has always been a really painful experience, and the only reason I was able to get a tampon in today was by taking things really, really slowly, doing breathing exercises to quell the panic attack I could feel coming on, and by just ignoring the pain. Is it possible that it could just be my lack of experience that makes this process so painful and nervewracking?

I'm not even entirely sure what I'm asking anymore, but any thoughts would be greatly appreciate. Thanks!