How old do you have to be to use tampons? You can start using tampons as soon as you get your period, which could be as young as 10 for some girls. What matters is your comfort level.
Dr. Farah Kroman: Yes, tampons can be used from the first period, as soon as the tampon user is comfortable with this. Make sure your daughter reads and understands the instructions and changes the tampons every 3-4 hours, earlier if they fill up or at a maximum of 8 hrs.
“Tampons can be used from the first period on, or they may never be used,” says Ellen Rome, MD, Head of Adolescent Medicine at Cleveland Clinic Children's. The decision to use them (or not) largely depends on your household dynamics, as well as your child's interest in using tampons over, say, pads or a menstrual cup.
“There is no certain age that girls can use (tampons) — they can use them at any age,” says Klein. However, for patients that choose to use tampons, Klein suggests these three rules: They have to know what a vagina is and be comfortable with that word and having one.
Using tampons is normal and safe, even from the very first period. In other words, there is no medical reason that a young girl cannot wear a tampon. Using tampons do not imply "sexual maturity" or advanced sexual interest. Tampons are just another form of hygiene product - simple as that.
Sometimes, the hymen is completely closed. She's gonna have trouble with the tampon if she balks at the finger in her vag. This is the best way to figure out what's up down there. Make sure the tampons are tiny – they make them cigarette sized (but you probably know this.)
You might want to start with the smallest size tampon until you figure out what works best for you. We recommend trying Tampax Pearl Compak Regular – it's slender, easy to insert, and is designed for smooth removal on your lightest days.
Any girl who has her period can use a tampon. Tampons work just as well for girls who are virgins as they do for girls who have had sex. And even though using a tampon can occasionally cause a girl's hymen to stretch or tear, it does not cause a girl to lose her virginity. (Only having sex can do that.)
Some girls are successful even if they get no help at all. But any help at all can go a long way toward your daughter feeling comfortable with her body, and bravo for trying. Don't forget to tell them how to take the damn thing out! Jill Pond is a seeker, writer, and blurter of truth.
Most young people will have their first periods when they're between 11 and 14½, but anywhere from 9-16 years is considered normal.
Each brand of tampon is a little different, but most call their smallest tampon “regular,” “light,” or “junior.” When you decide to try tampons for the first time, you may want to buy a couple of different brands to see which ones you prefer.
Swimming on your period with a pad is not advised. Pads are made out of absorbent material that soaks up liquids within seconds. Submerged in water like a pool, a pad will completely fill with water, leaving no room for it to absorb your menstrual fluid. Plus, it may swell up into a big soppy mess.
We've made two types of tampon specifically with you in mind. They're made to fit a younger body and suitable for light to heavy period flow. They are called Lil-Lets Teens SmartFit™ tampons and come with or without an applicator.
In most cases you'll be able to tell if you have a retained tampon thanks to a few warning signs. You may notice unusual, foul-smelling vaginal discharge, discomfort, and in some cases even vaginal bleeding.
You've Had a Baby
Many people find that they simply need to switch to a different size tampon to fix the issue. A thicker absorbency is usually the best way to get a better, more comfortable fit once your baby arrives. If you're still having issues with pelvic floor weakness, talk to your healthcare provider.
Let's put this one to rest once and for all. You should only use a tampon for up to 8 hours. So, if you're asking can you sleep with a tampon in, the short answer is yes. Your tampon doesn't know if it's day or night and will work the same while you sleep, just be sure to only use a tampon for up to 8 hours.
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.
Here's why the tampon keeps falling out
Wearing the wrong-sized tampon can fill quickly along with sagging. When the tampon is properly inserted, it will not fall out or slip. A tampon will slip as it absorbs blood or even feels like it's falling out.
Never wear more than two tampons at once
Or use a sanitary pad as extra back up. And if you forget you already have a tampon in and then use another one? Then you'll soon notice an unpleasant smell, caused by the bacteria building up around the one that's been in there the longest.
Why does my tampon leak? 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. If you find that you are leaking through your tampon after just four hours, it's time to start using the next absorbency up.
Tampon sizes are based on the amount of fluid they absorb, with most women using a Regular absorbency. If you want to start with the smallest size tampon until you figure it out, try the Light size. If your tampon leaks in just a few hours, then go up. If your tampon is uncomfortable to change, then go down.
1Tampax Pearl Lites
Tampax brand tampons are great for beginners. They have a simple design that makes for comfortable insertion. We recommend practicing with the Lite version because they're thinner. But once you have the hang of it, upgrade to regular and then to super, if necessary.
Tampon pain from walking or sitting can happen if you haven't inserted the tampon deeply enough. When you put it in, it should go past the nerve endings of your pelvic floor muscles. If you've inserted the tampon to the correct depth, you won't feel it when you're active.