Yeah, the OB ones are the only non-applicator ones I found. I felt okayish about Tampax (though preferred the non-applicator ones) up until they made them with those little cardboard 'teeth' on the end...

I actually remember going to the school nurse when I was at high school because I said that I would leak and I was a bit worried about how heavy my flow was. She was the one who said about the widthways expansion and about how many women found non-applicator tampons better in that respect.

We had... Libra, carefree, no frills, pams, and kotex to choose from with respect to non-applicator varieties. Maybe it is something about Rexona-Lever being an Australian company... I was fairly indifferent between them, though came to prefer Libra Fleur for their nice packaging and silky cover...

I guess initially I thought that there was something a bit 'ik' about putting my finger up there. Especially before I became more comfortable with my sexuality (as the result of sexual activity). Perhaps something more particular to the blood, as well... Though that is only an issue with the first one or if you leak... I think attitudes towards that might alter a bit with time / age... Not sure.