[confused_girl]

Stupid question: I have been meaning to switch to using a tampon for a while now. I have tried inserting it in a few different times and each time it feels uncomfortable and I end up taking it out a few minutes afterwards. I just had my first gyno exam this past Wednesday and I was wondering if trying to use a tampon now would work better? I hate using pads because they are messy and they tend to smell (to me anyways). If someone could please give me any tips or hints I would really appreciate it!

[LanaBear]

You may need to experiment with brands, sizes, etc. Not all tampons are comfortable to every woman. I use Tampax Pearl (compaks purely for convenience), but there are others that I just can't use.

Some women swear by OB's.

If you insert it correctly, you shouldn't even know it is there.

If you go to the manufacturer's websites, you can also get samples, so you don't go buy a bunch that may just not work for you.

[sourpuss]

Good advice Lana.

Confused, I was in the same boat as you. I was terrified because no one had ever showed me how to actually use one. Finally when I was about 22 a good friend of mine was so fed up over it that she drug me to the store, took me home and locked me in my own bathroom and told me not to come out until it was in! haha

Pretty harsh, but it worked and I could never go back now. But like Lana said, just experiment with different kinds til you find one you like.

[asiangrace]

I know how you feel! I hated the thought of tampons for a long time and finally tried them last year (I am 23 now!) The brand that I started out with was Playtex SLIMFITS. They are smaller than the normal tampon but still as effective. They are less "scary" I would totally recommend them to a first time tampon user!

[asiangrace]

Or Playtex Gentle Glide. Either one I would recommend!

[Iseulda]

Are you using applicator or non-applicator tampons?

I have never gotten on with non-applicator - I don't know if it is my short fingers or the incline of my vagina or what but they do not sit comfy because I can't get them deep enough.

The most touch sensitive nerves in the vagina are in the first 2-3" (or so) - the tampon needs to be past that so you can't feel it. Our deeper nerves are more pressure sensitive and a tampon is not wide enough to cause sufficient pressure.

Feel inside your vagina with your finger, press upwards - you will feel your pubic bone through the wall of your vagina. The tampon needs to be past that - if the bottom of the tampon is below that you will feel it as you are moving around and, to me, it feels like it may slip out. Not confidence inspiring.

Also, if you are tense when inserting a tampon it will not go in as far. Those are strong muscles in there. Relax - possibly even try masturbating before inserting as the vagina tends to widen and deepen with arousal. The lubrication will also make the insertion less irritating. Another thing you can do is bear down as you are inserting it (like pushing out for a number 2), when you relax after insertion the muscles will pull the tampon a fraction of an inch deeper, may make all the difference.

There are some women who just can't wear tampons though. I have a friend who puts one in and immediately needs to wee. When she wees she feels the tampon has moved and it is no longer comfortable. She takes it out, inserts a new one and immediately needs to wee again! Frustrating.

Don't feel bad if you don't get it straight away - try once or twice each cycle and then shelve it for a month. You'll get there in the end.

EDIT: And to answer your actual question - no, I don't think the gyno exam will have made a difference. Vaginas are springy things - it won't have stretched.

also - there are no stupid questions - only stupid answers - I hope this wasn't one.

[kerry-]

Only advice I can really recommended is inserting the ones that come with an applicator this kinda helps to get it kinda far in and hurts less while you're doing it

[Cloudnine]

when i first tried a tampon it took me a couple days to get used to them. i was conscious of them in my vagina for like a couple days. it gets better as you get more comfortable and have practice inserting them correctly. in a couple days you wont feel anything though.

[asiangrace]

Only advice I can really recommended is inserting the ones that come with an applicator this kinda helps to get it kinda far in and hurts less while you're doing it

Don't all tampons have applicators?

[confused_girl]

Iseulda: I know there aren't stupid questions but I couldn't think of another way to phrase it!

Thank you all for your help. I was doing some research and read that using KY or a water based lubricant on the tip of a tampon helps a lot. I guess I will try using some of that and see if that helps. I just wants to get away from pads. lol!

When I insert the tampon, should it go in all the way till the string just hangs out? That was my problem earlier, that is how far I got and it got uncomfortable and I stopped and pulled out.