[Lynne Ro]

This is my 5th year having my period, and I'm really heavy most of the time, so I have TONS of trouble with pads because they can't provide enough protection.

I've used a tampon once, but on the last day of my period and because we were going swimming. It was a Kotex regular abosorbency one of my friends gave to me, and it was very comfortable. However, I got a leak from it but I spotted it just in time and rushed to the bathroom. Insertion was easy, but removal was excruciating. Why did it happen?

Now I'm starting my period again, and I'd like to hear some reviews of different tampon brands, specially the Playtex Sports (since it's the brand my mother decided to buy before consulting me ) and if it works as good as it says.

Thanks in advance!

[Mes T]

From my experience all tampons are the same, so I just go for the cheapest ones, Tampax. Those are particularly nice because the inserter thing is cardboard (as opposed to plastic), so you can flush everything down the toilet.

Since you have a heavy flow, you should get the largest ones! I use "super plus."

Leakage is a sign that the tampon is overflowing and needs to be changed. But every now and then I DO get a little leakage for an unknown reason, so usually with tampons I wear a pantie liner.

Hope that helps. Once I got comfortable with tampons, I could never go back to pads.

[sourpuss]

I haven't had any luck with the Sport kind. They leak every time, no matter what.
Like MesT, I wear a liner as well, just in case. I agree on Tampax, they seem to be the best and the cheapest.

If you take it out before it's absorbed anything, it can be quite painful. That may have been the problem.

[kira]

Taking out a dry tampon does suck. It helps if there's some natural lubrication there but if you've just been swimming or taken a shower that's probably washed off. At home you could place a little ky lube around the opening before pullling it out. Otherwise just leave it in until it absorbs more and use a light pad if it leaks. Tampons will leak if you get them positioned too far to one side or they only absorb down one side for some reason. They don't absorb all the way across. Blood has to come in to contact with the side it's going to be absorbed from. Since I'm rather small that means I have to jam tampons in there at an angle which doesn't always work great but it also means they barely make it past the opening so blood has trouble escaping. My tampons are almost always soaked down one half and the bottom while dry on the other side.

If you can't position it a little straighter just wear a light pad under a tampon most of the time. The few times you can't such as swimming no one notices if it leaks a little so long as you change into clothes with a pad immediately after you are done and don't stupidly hike from your camper to the lake and back again like I did. Bloody water kept running down my leg.

[LanaBear]

I'm a Tampax follower too. I use the Tampax Compact Pearl. Also, you may find that buying the variety pack is better for you because personally I use Light, Regular and Super all during my period, just depends on the day. You don't want to use a Super on a light day and vice versa.

[mom30]

I loathe the Tampax brand. I find the tampons themselves too long, I don't like the cardboard applicator, and when the tampons absorb and expand, I found them uncomfortable to remove. I much prefer Playtex, as it is shorter and I like the applicator better. I have tried Playtex Sport and had no problem with it either. I have used Kotex as well and don't mind that brand, either. But I absolutely cannot and will not use Tampax.

[Sprite]

I've been having my period for 4 years now, and I have never used a tampon. I'm really nervous about them, as I have heard about some 'toxic syndrome' thing...not sure how true it is.

Although, I have tried using it once, but it felt extremely uncomfortable, and I took it out not even after a minute.

I'm getting really tired of not being able to do anything e.g: swim, especially when everyone else is. Any suggestions?

[x.st.angel.x]

I find tampax to be the best.I wouldnt have a clue how to put a tampon in without that applicator

[Mes T]

I've been having my period for 4 years now, and I have never used a tampon. I'm really nervous about them, as I have heard about some 'toxic syndrome' thing...not sure how true it is.

That is VERY rare, and as far as I know the only way you have a CHANCE of it happening is if you leave in your tampon for longer than the recommended maximum of time, which is 8 hours.

I'd say most women I know use tampons, and they're only getting more popular. I've left mine in for even over 8 hours before and was fine. Point is that that's not something to worry about.

[Sprite]

That is VERY rare, and as far as I know the only way you have a CHANCE of it happening is if you leave in your tampon for longer than the recommended maximum of time, which is 8 hours.

I'd say most women I know use tampons, and they're only getting more popular. I've left mine in for even over 8 hours before and was fine. Point is that that's not something to worry about.

Okay, that's good then!! Thank you so much for reassuring me!
I have decided to buy some and try them out Fingers crossed