Diving and swimming while on period and using tampons

**anonimousey** · 07-23-2011 02:53 AM

Hi guys, so im starting a diving course soon, and ill be in water for hours at a time. Im just wondering how swimming while wearing a tampon works. I mean wont the tampon just get full of water, so there wont be any room for blood? And becauae ill be in the water, should I use a tampon a few sizes up than normal?

This will be the first time ive used a tampon, the diving starts in a few weeks, so im practising using them on my current period. My doctor has given me the contraceptive pill, she says that it will lighten my period, and hopefully stop it, but im still apprehensive about whats going to happen when I get in the water.

All replies appreciated.

**Little** · 07-23-2011 03:31 AM

I've never had a tampon get waterlogged from swimming. I never really questioned why not! But I've also never spent hours in the water.
I don't think the size of your tampon will matter because you're in the water, but rather because you want to be protected for a longer period of time. Make sure you read the warnings inside the package about Toxic Shock Syndrome, and never leave the tampon in longer than directed.

**anonimousey** · 07-23-2011 04:43 AM

Thanks for your reply =]

But I just dont understand how it works. If its inside of me, and im in the water, then surely the tampon will soak up the water.

Ive just put one in, and it feela horrible, ive already waisted five trying to do it right, and this time it isnt any better. I put the applicator in as far as it will go (I could still see it on the outside), and removed it, leaving the tampon. When I stood up straight, it felt like it could slide right out, even though if I pull the string, it wont budge. Im really freaked out now, I just cant put it in right. It hurts if I sit down, so im lying down instead.

Please help

**Mes T** · 07-23-2011 04:53 AM

Ooh hang on girl. Sounds like your tampon is definitely not positioned right. You need to put the applicator halfway in and then push the other half of the applicator upward, so the applicator itself doesn't go in farther into the vagina but the *tampon* does. Understand? The tampon box should have come with a diagram, see if there is one. The tampon should be WAY up in your vagina, so far up that you'd have to insert your finger an inch or two to feel it.

Please keep calm when you practice this. Millions of women use tampons, they are safe, and you can't do anything with a tampon to really harm your body. You can always pull them out easily, if you need to.

Are you on your period now? Are you having a heavy flow or a light flow? I would postpone practice until you have a heavy flow, if you can. It's easier to insert tampons when we're wetter. If we're dry it might feel uncomfortable.

As for the water thing, I too have not had any issues. Maybe it's because our vaginas are "closed" enough, it's not like water can gush into there. In any case the tampon will soak up your blood just fine. Change your tampon when you do get out of the pool.

**anonimousey** · 07-23-2011 05:04 AM

I followed the instructions right, but I can still feel it. Are you really not meant to feel anything at all?
When I put it in, I put the applicator in until the grooved rings are at the opening of the vagina, and the instructions say that when your fingers touch the vagina, the applicator is in the right place. But every time i've done this, it still isnt right.
Should I change the angle at which im putting it in? more to my back?

Im going to try it lying down, will this be okay?

**anonimousey** · 07-23-2011 05:21 AM

Also, I think that after ive inserted it, and stand up afterwards, its sliding back down me. I cant put the applicator in any further, because then it would be inside of me.

Anyone have any ideas as to how im going so wrong?

**ContraryMary** · 07-23-2011 07:34 AM

Are you saying that it's literally sliding down? Or that you're worried it is? Tampons don't really fall out.
The first couple days of me using a tampon was horrible! It was awfully painful and just didn't feel right. Don't worry about it too hard. It gets better.
My suggestion is to use the kind of tampon that doesn't have an applicator, like o.b. It's easier to move it around inside of you back and forth, side to side, to get it in position. Don't be scared of your vagina. It's a normal thing and knowing what is this hole in your body is important.

But that's kind of a try it later type of thing, since you can't exactly go out and buy new tampons right now. Try tilting the applicator down a bit, so you're coming at a lower angle into your vagina. I guess 45 degrees from the ground?
But my biggest suggestion is to just wear it around the house, maybe with a pantiliner in to ease your paranoia.

**Mes T** · 07-23-2011 04:44 PM

I would suggest against using the non-applicator ones, as for a first-timer it might be really confusing to know how far up to push it.

Yes when inserted correctly you aren't supposed to feel it AT ALL. The only thing that will remind you that you have a tampon in is your own memory, no physical sensations of any kind are supposed to do that for you.

It still sounds to me like you're not putting it in right. When the tampon is in, how far do you have to insert your finger to feel it? It sounds to me like your tampon is sitting right in the opening, hence you can feel it, and hence it's sliding out.

You're right about inserting the applicator until the rim part. But then you have to push the remaining applicator into itself, still holding on to the rim, okay? Push the remaining applicator into itself, thereby pushing the actual tampon much farther into your vagina. Remove applicator, and tampon should be completely inside of you, so that you need to insert your fingers a couple of inches to actually feel it.

**Avatar Nirvana** · 07-23-2011 08:58 PM

I've always used tampons while swimming and I've never had a problem. What tampons are you using? For me, any tampon that opens WIDE while it's inside hurts and I don't like using cardboard applicators because they don't go in smoothly all the time. Tampax fits both of these descriptions perfectly. I use Playtex gentle glide because the applicator is smooth and the tampon opens up in a circle.

However, for someone who is first starting to use tampons, I say start with OB tampons in either super or regular. They have no applicator and only about an inch of your finger goes up to put it in. Once you nails those down then go on to applicators.

**IvyTheBunny** · 07-24-2011 01:57 AM

I have no real personal experience with tampons, but U by Kotex has a pretty good video. Also try squatting or putting one leg on the wall, one on the floor...etc.

All our vaginas are different...like snowflakes, (Yeah, I am known for weird analogies. Bear with me.) so there is no 'right' way of putting one in...sorta. All snowflakes are white, right? (still bearing?

) The angle is the hardest bit, so practice makes perfect. Oh, and yes, wet is better than dry, so I would ditch the pill.
Good luck in the pool!