[AshleyBrook]

I am sixteen and I've had my period since I was ten. I have never used a tampon because I have this problem where I bleed extremely heavily. Lately I have been wanting to use them but I have a few questions that I can't seem to find the answers to. 1) will it break my hymen? 2)Will it work just as well as pads do even though I bleed heavily (for example, I have to wear two pads when I'm in school). 3)I have no clue where to insert it. Where exactly is the vaginal opening? Please help me out if you don't mind. Thanks.

[x.st.angel.x]

Hello Ashley and welcome to the forum.

I'll try answer your questions as best i can. Firstly using tampons will not break your hymen, tampons are quite thin. They do work just as wwell as pads but personally i find tampons A LOT more comfortable. In regards to having a heavy period make sure you buy the ones designed for a heavy flow. They would have this label well on the packaging. There are instructions on insertion as well, some also include illustrations to help you for the first time using a tampon.

SAint

[Shadow4788]

they work fine as a replacement for pads, i used pads for many years but once i started staying at my boyfriends house more i found pads too obvious and decided to try tampons. i feel more like wearing a baggy jumper and hiding away on my period so using something that is barely noticeable made a huge difference, i regret not using them sooner. i felt like everyone knew i was on my period when i used pads, like it made a huge sign on ym head pointing it out, after using tampons i felt more confident and happier on my period.

as long as you use the right ones, like angel said, you should have no problem with them. whilst i was never had a really heavy flow i still worried they wouldnt be as good as a pad and changed them alot at first. eventaully once i got used to them i learnt that despite there size they work amazingly well :P as your flow is much heavier maybe do what i did and change them more often till you get used to them and how well they work with your period. some people dont get along with them but i feel much cleaner and happier using them now. i have to admit when i started using them i was unsure how to put them in properly and where to "go" and did feel embarrased about it but no one teaches you these things, and honestly? i laid on my bed and got a mirror and for the first real time i had a look at myself.

i tested my first one just after i finished my period as i wanted to know how they felt for when i next came on. i use non applicator tampons as i found the extra plastic a waste and the first box i had was without one so i got used to doing it myself. i never knew how far to put them in and thought if i pushed it in too far it wouldnt come out again :P after starting them on my period i felt uncomfortable with them and then one time i accidentally pushed it in alot further than before and suddenly it wasnt uncomfortable anymore.... i think there definatly worth a try as they made me feel much happier on my period but i know some people dont get along with them.

like most things you'll learn how to use them and what works best with your body

[WildChild]

First you need to learn your own body. First get on the internet and find some good diagrams of female genitals, print out a nice detailed picture (I recommend the site, The-Clitoris dot com, select, "English no brackets", at the bottom of the page, when the new page comes scroll down to "locating vagina" You will find an excellent description and photos with detailed lables as to what everything is).

Get your good self a decent sized hand mirror, get naked and have a good look at your girl parts. Use some saliva or vaseline to make it more comfortable to touch yourself and explore to find all the parts. This is your body, you should know it. Your genitals are a vital part of your life. There is a lot in that small area, your body's waste elimination is there, your pleasure central, your birth canal - this is where the action is and you should know it as well as you know your own hands or face.

Hymens come in a variety of sizes with varying levels of flexibility. For some women tampon use will not tear the hymen for others it will. In my case using tampons did not affect my hymen, I don't know what your experience may be. Its not a prize. Unless you live with a belief system that holds your primary value to be the sale of your virginity in marriage, the hymen really is a throw away. It really may be the one body part you don't need as an mature human.

If you have heavy flow you may want to use a tampon with a pad. That will help avoid any overflow. Its important to follow the directions regarding how long you leave them in. Forgetting to remove a tampon for an extended time can cause some very serious infections. If your flow is really light they can be a little hard to insert and you may need to wet your labia and vaginal opening with a little saliva or a light lube, so it will slide in more easily. When your flow is heavier they slide in more easily. I suggest you start using them at home so you get some proficiency at inserting and removing them before you try dealing with it in a public bathroom.

[viola]

NO, you will not break the hymen. Use tampax pearls. They are so easy to insert, and if you really are still having trouble, try some olive oil on the tip or a lubricant to make it really easy to insert.

[CHANDLERS WISH]

sorry old thread OP has not returned thread closed