Thread: Embarrassing question I wouldnt ask anyone in person

It sounds like your vagina is just sensitive. Maybe you have a slight allergy to something in the tampons. Have you tried to wear a menstrual cup instead? Usually those are made of some non-allergenic material.

How often do you have sex? Weekly, daily, multiple times daily? With a condom or without? Are you on any kind of hormonal birth control? Do you use spermicide? Do you use any kind of artificial lubrication? And do you get wet enough before penetration?

are you making sure you're not using fragranced tampons? I had to use lubrication on the tampon to put it in before I began having sex, as it really irritated my vagina.

it's sounding to me like your vagina is naturally quite dry, and a tampon is sure to dry it out even more. can you describe the pain during sex? it could be the lubrication. but if he's hitting your cervix, that's a totally different kind of pain.

Tampons are dry and absorbent so cause abrasions to vaginal walls - commercial tampons such as Tampax or O.B. more so because they're made from rayon which is rougher and more absorbent so causes more friction and damage to vaginal tissues, commercial tampons are also bleached and chemically treated which can cause irritation and possible allergic reaction. I always found tampons caused soreness, mainly as I had to change so often with my heavy flow, not quite as bad as what you describe though...but I know you're not alone.

If you want to use tampons try organic cotton tampons which are 100% cotton and chemical free;

(edit links no longer allowed
You could also try different types of tampons all together such as sponge tampon or cloth tampons;

Sea Pearls

(edit links no longer allowed
You can also use softcups or menstrual cups.
These are cups that go into your vagina to catch flow, they're smooth so there's no friction or drying of vaginal tissues, also no chemicals - this means not only are they not likely to cause you this irritation, but they're also safer so no risk of TSS or infections; this means they can be worn for 12 hours, with any flow, overnight, before menstruation, and no need to alternate with pads, plus menstrual cups don't leak like tampons or pads so more reliable too. Check them out...

(edit links no longer allowed - this is just one brand, but it's a good brand and just in case you did want to try cups I'm pimping this one as buying via this link will see 20% of the sale go to support women's health projects.

As for sex, generally it may be that your vagina is quite sensitive so anything may be a bit of a problem for it - you're vagina is a delicate flower, as much of a pain (literally) as that may be it's nothing to be embarrassed about. Obviously if during sex you use lubes or condoms this may be an issue if you're more sensitive or allergic to anything down below too. It's also possible due to issues with tampons and if this all has been going on for a time it may be that past experiences of pain have perhaps given you a case of vaginismus; vaginal muscles tightening up making penetration painful, it can occur if you're worried about pain...if you add vaginal dryness to the mix and delicate tissues this may explain why you experience pain.

If worried see someone about it, don't just ignore pain.