One thing that can help is making sure you're clear on exactly where the tampon should go. There are two openings in the vulva (a woman's external sex organs) — the urethra and the vagina. Menstrual fluid flows from the vagina (the lower of the two openings), so this is where a tampon should go.
Using a mirror can be helpful to find exactly where the tampon goes. The vaginal opening usually looks more like an oval-shaped slit rather than a round hole. The opening of the urethra is too small for a tampon, and the vagina is a single canal, so it's not possible to put it in the wrong hole.
Hold the tampon in one hand with the grip – middle of the tampon – in between your thumb and middle finger. Keep your index finger on the end of the thinner tube, where the cord extends. Using the tip of the tampon, open the folds of skin on your vagina and slide the entire barrel inside, angling towards your back.
It's possible for the string to end up inside your body. This can happen if you already have a tampon in and you insert another one, or you have sex with a tampon in. But even if the string is inside you, you'll usually be able to feel the tampon and pull it out.
A tampon applicator can easily fit into your vagina. And your vagina can expand as a tampon absorbs blood and becomes wider. Most tampons are a little less than two inches long. It's possible for a tampon to move up to the top or back of the vagina.
Be sure to push the plunger all the way in so the tampon goes up high enough and then you won't feel it at all. You'll know the tampon is in right if the applicator comes out easily and comfortably, if you don't feel the tampon once the applicator is removed, and if there is no leaking.
The best way to know if your tampon needs changing is to give a light tug on the tampon string, if it starts to pull out easily then it's time to change, if not, it usually means you can leave it a bit longer. Just remember with tampons, 4 hours is about right, and don't leave one in for more than 8 hours.
Typically, a leaky tampon means you've left your tampon in for too long, or you're using the wrong absorbency. Be sure to change your tampon every 4-6 hours.
A tampon may hurt the first time you try to insert it, but it shouldn't be bad. You shouldn't feel it once it's in, so if there still is pain or discomfort, you may not have inserted it correctly.
You should never wear more than one tampon at a time. Doubling up on tampons increases your risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome, or TSS. If your flow is very heavy, wear a tampon with a higher absorbency and change it more frequently. Or use a sanitary pad as extra back up.
It sounds like you are not inserting the tampon completely. I remember when I first starting using tampons, I was afraid to fully insert them and would often find they would get more uncomfortable when I sat down, especially if I attempted to use the tampons that didn't have applicators.
Yes, it's fine to wear a tampon in the bath or shower. If your period is light at the time, you might find that you don't need one for the few minutes that you are in the bath or shower. Most of the time, blood won't leak out.
When deciding whether to use pads or tampons, it's really up to you. Many girls start out using pads, but might want to use tampons when they do sports or go swimming. Tampons also are easy to store in a purse or pocket. Another advantage to tampons is that they can't be felt because they're inside the body.
When you get out of the water your period will flow again normally, so it's a good idea to use a tampon or menstrual cup while swimming. Pads and pantyliners aren't a good option because they will absorb water and become ineffective.
When your period flows out of the little hole in the cervix, it tracks along the side of the tampon rather than the central top area so the blood only appears on one side of the tampon. No worries!
Tampons are specifically designed to absorb period flow before it can leave your body which makes them one of the best products to use for swimming on your period and you won't have to worry about signs of your period showing in the water.
This could be due to weak pelvic floor muscles that allow the bladder or uterus to fall into the vaginal canal. This would be due to how a tampon would support those organs and keep those organs “up” and out of the way when it's in — which may change how you prevent the flow or urine.
Tampons are more likely to leak than pads because they can't always absorb all the blood flow. Pads are better at absorbing blood, making them a good choice for people who are worried about leaks. However, it may mean you have to change them regularly.
One of the main reasons why your tampon can feel some obstruction is because your vaginal muscles tend to tense up and stop anything from passing through. While most of the time, that feeling of “hitting a wall” can be helped via pelvic relaxation exercises, sometimes the underlying issue can be a tad bit more serious.
The biggest downside to wearing tampons is the risk of toxic shock syndrome (TTS). It's a rare but life-threatening complication of certain types of bacterial infections. It used to be primarily associated with using super-absorbent tampons.
And, if you've ever found yourself wondering if tampons make menstrual cramps worse, Dr. Melisa Holmes, OB-GYN, shares, “No they don't... tampons have nothing to do with prostaglandin synthesis or the way they're used in the body.” Thank goodness!
So the good news is yes, there are ways to help you have a shorter period duration. But we might as well come out and say it now: tampons do NOT shorten your period - quite the contrary actually. And we'll explore more about that as we go along.
The bottom line
While it's generally safe to sleep with a tampon in if you're sleeping for less than eight hours, it's important that you change tampons every eight hours to avoid getting toxic shock syndrome. It's also best to use the lowest absorbency necessary.
Why can I feel my tampon, then? The most likely reason is that you didn't push your tampon in far enough when you inserted it. Not to worry – simply use your finger to push it in a little further. If that doesn't fix it, just take it out and try again with a fresh one.
Change each tampon every 4 to 8 hours.
Never wear a single tampon for more than 8 hours at a time.