Slightly embarassing (tampons)

[seekerofworld.livejournal.com]

I'm not quite 18 yet and I have yet to use tampons. I have tried mutiple times with different sizes and brands. Different sitting and standing positions. They just will not go in. Yes, I am a virgin.

I'm perfectly OK with using pads since I have been using them for almost 7 years. But I'm just getting sick of wearing them all the time during my period and I always get paranoid when summer comes because I love the pool and I always worry my period will come in the middle of a vacation. In all honesty too, my mom is getting annoyed with me that I don't use tampons, she uses them so I guess she feels that I have nothing to worry about in using them.

Any advice on what type to try, how to insert them? Or should I just suck it up and keep wearing pads?

Comments

[zombiefaerie.livejournal.com]

Tampons are great but can be a little disheartening. Sometimes when you get frustrated with the fact that they aren't going in as easily as advertise you tense up. Tensing up can also make it more difficult.

Anyway
Here's a site I found helpful http://www.youngwomenshealth.org/tampon.html as well as www.scarleteen.com <= which is just an all around good site.

:)
Hope that helps

[seekerofworld.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the link.

Yeah, I know it's not good to tense up, but sometimes I do just get so frustrated that is happens.

[superho.livejournal.com]

Look for plastic applicators, not the cardboard ones. Try the smallest size, junior (for teens). You may have already tried these suggestions but I thought I'd try. ;)

[tusk.livejournal.com]

I have problems inserting tampons as well. I'm also 18 and have never managed to actually get one in. Sometimes I doubt that I even have a hole. I don't know what to suggest, but just know that you aren't alone.

[seekerofworld.livejournal.com]

Haha, I have had the same thoughts as you. It's comforting to know that I'm not alone. I sometimes ask my friends if they have a pad, and they all stare like I have horns. :P

[mayara13.livejournal.com]

When I started, I had difficulties too. I had to figure out a solution, as I had swim practice four days a week for about ten months of the year. For my first period, my solution ended up being to claim sickness and sit out; even after I figured out how to get one in, it took a couple tries before I figured out how to get it in and comfortable(ish).

After I graduated high school, I ended up switching to pads only, and now have a box of small plastic applicator tampons for the rare occasion I feel the need to use one (usually if I really want to take a bath and I'm having a heavy flow day). Most months I'm a pads-only girl.

As for suggestions, you've gotten some good ones here, but I'll add/repeat:

- try small tampons with smooth plastic applicators first

- try while you've already got heavy flow going on (lubricant, and it just seems easier for me)

- you said you've tried different positions, and I don't know what you have/haven't tried, but what worked best for me turned out to be sort of a squatting position, not so much a sitting position; sometime, instead of propping a foot up, I lean forward while sitting; my point is, feel free to try all kinds of positions if you haven't found a good one

- finally, and most importantly, take your time, and don't feel you have to use tampons; if you don't want to, you don't have to, and even if you do want to, feel free to quit until next time any time it's not working, as relaxation is key

[miss-meliss-a.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I hate that feeling of people thinking you're odd for not using tampons.

[geminigirl]

I found that one of the most helpful things was to buy the ones without an applicator. You're washable. The OB tampons start out shorter and without an applicator, it seemed to be easier to direct the tampon where I wanted to go.

[mayara13.livejournal.com]

I actually found those more difficult. Since that's what my mother used, that's what I first tried, but after frustrating difficulties, I tried with an applicator, and found that to work more easily.

[swiggett.livejournal.com]

I was able to use tampons about 6 months after I started my period, but if you don't feel comfortable with tampons, then don't feel pressure to use them. If you do want to try out using them... keep a box of a smaller sized tampons in your bathroom, and every so often, during your period [easier with the menstrual blood for lubrication], just try it out. This probably sounds terrible, but try to relax when you are inserting. It will take several tries, and some relaxing, and several unused tampons in the trash...

Good luck... but remember that there is no law stating you have to use tampons if you don't want to.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_last_serenade_/]

are you able to put a finger in your vagina? i don't know if that's something you're comfortable trying, but when i first started using tampons, that helped me alot to kind of feel where the tampon was supposed to go.

[seekerofworld.livejournal.com]

Hmm...I might try that. Thanks for the suggestion.

[deadlychameleon.livejournal.com]

I've heard the suggestion that a little water-based lube (like KY) might help. I second the O.B. or plastic applicator suggestions. Keep in mind that you have to tilt the tampon towards your back slightly, not straight up.

[jaipur.livejournal.com]

Some women just can't use tampons until their hymen breaks. Stick with pads if that makes you comfy.

[winifred.livejournal.com]

You've got a lot of good advice here!

If you like wearing pads, there's no law or tradition that says "someday, you must start using tampons." While it's true they give you more freedom than pads do, if you aren't ready, you aren't ready, and if you don't want to, you don't want to.

Try talking to your GYN about your dilemma. Perhaps there's a medical reason why you can't insert a tampon successfully. Before you do that, though, try everything else mentioned here.

[daisycake.livejournal.com]

when i first started using tampons i found the easiest position to insert them was crouching on the floor like a froggy.
also, i put vaseline on the end of it so it slides in easier.

[kuangning]

Lubrication helps, but vaseline shouldn't go in your vagina. Try KY or another personal lubricant instead.

[daisycake.livejournal.com]

mrow :s i thought they used vaseline at the doctors!

[kuangning]

Probably not, and if they are, scold them. :) Something for use in your vagina should be light on oil if there's any, and water-soluble is really best. Petroleum jelly doesn't wash off except with soap, which also isn't good for your vagina.