hey ya'll

[alias.livejournal.com]

i just found this lj, and i am in the last 2 days of my period, but i have a question for everyone!

do any of you NOT use tampons because you cant? i have worn them a couple of times, but i sometimes cant bring myself to put them in, and i get all freaked out looking at a string hanging out of my body. any suggestions or stories would be helpful. they feel weird inside and i dread pulling them out b/c of the vacuum sensation. please help me!!!! i envy all my friends who can do this with no problems.

Comments

i feel like a commercial here, but...

[girlwithwings.livejournal.com]

I used to feel the same way. I have found that using slimfit tampons are a lot more comfortable, so much that i don't even feel them at all. U use Playtex unscented Slimfits myself, but i don't know how these will work if you get really heavy periods. Mine are usually light to medium. Also, i have found inserting tampons with a plastic applicator to be much, much easier. As for the string... well, you just have to get used to that.

Re: i feel like a commercial here, but...

[alias.livejournal.com]

thanks, hon...yeh, i use Slimfits, but somehow they seem to be not so slim according to my body! and just the thought of something *inside* my body scares me a bit. but thanks for the help!

[miss_tish]

*** begin rambling comment ***

I gotta say, I can't live without my tampons. Those messy pads... ick. NO thank you. I never feel tampons when I use them... not even the string. But in the beginning I had a hard time with them too.

Here's my story of tampon stupidity:
1. Used the applicator wrong (yes, it's possible!) I'd put it in and instead of pushing the plunger, I'd end up sliding the TOP part of the applicator down. Thus leaving the tampon further down than it's supposed to be. Boy was that uncomfortable... not painful or anything, but annoying.
2. Putting it in at the wrong angle. Sometimes it's a comfort thing. I've learned I gotta have on leg off the floor and aim for my lower back. (sorry for the visual ladies)
3. Taking it out too early/often. If that puppy hasn't been in there long enough it's gonna be DRY and that means an owie when you take it out (perhaps that's what you meant by vacuum sensation). If your flow is heavy, change it every four hours... if it still hurts/pulls/feels like a vacuum, next time, leave it a bit longer.

It sounds silly, but sometimes it just takes practice. I haven't bought pads in YEARS. I solely use tampons now (and pantiliners for the occasionally oopsie), even wearing em overnight. Personally I use Playtex... I've found that Tampax expands lengthwise which sometimes hurts to take out on lightdays. But again, find what YOU like.

*** end rambling comment ***

thanks!

[alias.livejournal.com]

thanks for the advice and stories...it helps to know that i'm not the only woman in the world to not know how to handle these things! (also sorry for the visual) i cant seem to put them in sitting down, so i can relate with the "leg-up." i just have to lock myself in the bathroom next month and finally have at it to get comfy with these things.

Maybe you'll think I'm a weirdo now, but...

[kari.livejournal.com]

this might sound weird and gross to you, but putting a leg up on the toilet seat and having a mirror placed below you might help. It may seem disgusting, but that's how I learned how to do it right. It's the only way I could truly see all what I was doing. And there's nothing wrong with being more visually familiar with your body.

[sekhmetsat.livejournal.com]

i don't use tampons cuz i think they are disgusting and toxic for your body. have you looked into natural alternatives, like sponges? they are so much better for you!!!!!!!

[alias.livejournal.com]

do you have to -eek!- insert sponges???

[kari.livejournal.com]

It took me a long time before I was comfortable using them. Just the idea of having something inside of me seemed really strange. But when I started using tampons, it was so much easier. I don't know what kind you used, but I know I had some trouble taking them out when I used playtex slimfits, because of the way that they opened up. I now use those Tampax compact tampons, or else Slimfits, and they slide right out for me. The tip of the applicator makes it really easy for me to put them in. You just have to get at the right angle to put them in, and RELAX, because if you tighten up your inner muscles you might not be able to get it in all the way. Use your other hand to spread your lips apart, it makes it a lot easier. Also, making sure that you are pushing the tampon all the way inside will make it a lot more comfortable. But if you really don't feel right using them, don't feel like you have to... Hope this helps some.

[alias.livejournal.com]

thanks...i just feel really pressured from my friends to use them, especially since i live in Florida and go to the beach a lot...pads are nasty! but i have that same feeling: feeling awkward about putting something inside of my body and then just walking around with it...it's pyschosomatic, and then my muscles tense. but i am working on the relaxtion part. i just cant look down...hee hee...i am such a wimp!

[kari.livejournal.com]

Yeah, pads can really cramp (sorry for the pun, it just slipped out!) a nice swim or something... I'm remembering my 1st trip to Hawaii when I was 13, and I was on my period the entire week. I tried to use a tampon, but I was just too scared to have something in me!

But you know what... a couple years later, once I finally got fed up with pads, I just decided I was going to freaking learn how to use a tampon. It took probably about half an hour the first time and I'm sure I didn't insert it right for a few cycles or so because I could always feel it there... but once I got used to it, I taught myself to relax and take my time. The 95% of the time that I insert it right (hey, I'm human, I make mistakes!) I can't feel it while I'm wearing it. But you know what? Much as it helps for swimming, I never feel like swimming when I'm on my period anyway. I always get an urge to run!

Sorry this is so long. Hope all goes well with you. Just take your time. And don't feel like you HAVE to wear tampons - from reading people's entries on this site, it seems like there are plenty of people who live happily without using tampons at all. So just do what feels right for you, OK? ;O)

[alias.livejournal.com]

cause i live in florida and they can go swimming and lie out while i have to be relegated to pads all because i'm squeamish...not fun!

[hava.livejournal.com]

*comfort* don't feel too bad... some of us are in the same boat. much as i'd like to do away with the nasty old pads, i cramp too much, and my flow is too thick (sorry for the ick) for tampons to really do the job.
truth is, though, there are some brands that are made for women who are more sensitive, and if you don't pull the string taut after it's in, then you won't notice it, either. do a little experimenting, and see what you can come up with. you may only be able to wear a tampon for a few days of your period, and have to wear a pad for the first, more sensitive days.
good luck.

[alias.livejournal.com]

thanks...yeh, i've noticed that the first couple of days (when it is heaviest, and everyone is like "oh, you should try tampons *now* cause they'll go in easier") is when i dont feel like even bending over to do *anything* down there. it is not especially heavy, and i dont get horrid cramps, but it just feels like nothing should go UP there. i just hate that i cant be like everyone else with tampons...ugh!