[maymie]

I"m kind of embarrassed asking this but I need and want to know. Are tampons suppose to hurt when I insert them? I'm 24 years old and have pretty much always worn pads because the truth of the matter is that tampons use to scare me. And then when I did start to use tampons they would hurt me. So I vary between tampons and pads. I hate pads because I feel like I"m wearing a diaper. But tampons hurt. I also have the problem of my periods are pretty heavy. I've gone to the doctor and she says its okay and it has lessened over the years but they are still heavy. So I use super sized tampons when I do use them. I just don't know what to do. As I said I hate pads because I feel like I'm wearing diapers but tampons hurt when I wear them. I've been told to go to a smaller size tampon but if I do I leak. Does anyone have any suggestions for me? I've also been told to try the Instead Feminine cups or the Femmecup. I don't know what do. I've been told that tampons aren't safe. I don't know if that is true but it makes me even more skeptical and fearful of using tampons. Any input is appreciated.

[BrokenSoul1]

I am not sure that I have the answers but I will give you some of what is on my mind.......

I was also taught by my mother that tampons were not safe to use. She only provided me with pads..... So, years later and going away on a girls night away.... I had my period and my friend asked me why I used pads. She said try tampons, just try them. So at 34 years old, I started using tampons and can't believe that I used pads all those years!! You know you don't have that rush of blood feeling when you stand up with a pad and it cuts down on the odor to use tampons. It is my personal position that I like tampons better.

So, I too, have a day that I bleed very heavy. I always wear a mini pad that will catch any leak but also wear the super tampon on that day. And just remember to change more often. Don't wear the same tampon for too long, I think it is something like more than 6 hours. I too, experience some discomforte with tampons. My question for you is, are you feeling discomfort while it is just inside of you are only as you are inserting it? Mine is mostly while I am inserting and this may be expicit but.... even though you are bleeding, it is dry. Blood is more of a sticky liquid that a slippery lube..... so to ease, I have put a drop of lubricate (like KY) on the tip of the tampon and then insert it. It helps.

Lastly, some of your discomfort may be from your feeling of the tampons not being safe. Subconciously you feel discomfort because you think it is not safe for you. Do your research, read up on it.....

I hope that makes sense to you.....

take care
Broken

[bebop]

when I first used a tampon it hurt really bad. I couldn't even sit straight up in my chair at school. Turns out I didn't have it in far enough up. maybe that is what is going on with you? maybe.

[kim_johnson]

> Are tampons suppose to hurt when I insert them?

They aren't supposed to hurt, no, but sometimes they do. What sort of tampons do you use? I'm surprised at the lack of selection in the US... Miss my selection of brands from back home (what a bizarre thing to miss!!!)

In particular... Plastic applicators are uncomfortable, I find. And... Psychologically they scare me, rather. There is one brand that I found that doesn't have an applicator (but only one!!!). I find those MUCH more comfortable to insert. In particular... After pushing fairly much 'up' for a bit... There is a curve and you need to push it significantly 'back'. I don't find the plastic applicator handles the curvature very well with respect to inserting the plastic comfortably and with respect to pushing the tampon up round that corner (if that makes sense). SO MUCH easier and more comfortable to use tampons without applicators!!! In Australasia... They are marketed well as expanding widthways rather than lengthways (as tampax rather uncomfortably do). Thus... They tend to leak a whole heap less, too... (Not to mention the lack of applicator is good for the environment and it is much easier to carry a couple tampons in your jeans pocket).

I had a friend who had a similar trouble to you and she found it helped to smear the end with a little KY or other lubricant. Part of the pain can be about clenching (do you find pap smears similarly painful?) But the pain could be a little about those darned plastic applicators...

[Tumnus]

If you leak with tampons you'll probably leak with instead cups. I did, anyway. I actually hate tampons.

[sunrise]

I would suggest making sure you push the tampon up far enough. If it is too low, it could hurt.

Like Kim, I use the tampons without the applicator. They are just less complicated and easier to put in (nothing mechanical to worry about) and you have more control. And they do tend to be shorter and expand widthwise rather than lengthwise, which is a good feature. The brand of no-applicator tampons I use is called "OB". Both of my teenage girls prefer tampons with applicators, though. They consider not having an applicator to be "yucky." I am not sure if this is hesitancy in touching their own bodies or what. (They would prefer sticking a tube up themselves than their own finger?) If super tampons hurt you, then use regular ones, but just change more often.

[AAAAA]

I've never been able to use tampons comfortably. When I do have to use them, I use the smallest ones available and change frequently. I am unable to use the ones without the applicator or the plastic applicators. I've only ever been able to use tampax with the paper applicator. My problem (sorry for graphics) is that I'm a very heavy bleeder with a lot of clotting. Tampons increase my cramping.

[kim_johnson]

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.

[Taonuviel]

the rigidity of tampon applicators was mentioned... but aren't there curved ones available? i know there used to be, though i haven't noticed any for a while. i think they might have been the first type i used... though i'm really not sure.