However, pregnancy, childbirth, straining for constipation, pressure from chronic coughing or lots of lifting can all stretch and weaken the pelvic floor muscles. As a result the vagina tube can feel more “gapey” or spacey – and it's easier for tampons to drift off centre or tilt to one side.
Your body has gone through a lot of changes, and you may find that wearing tampons isn't as comfortable now as it was before your pregnancy. Give yourself time to adjust, and embrace the fact that pads or other period products may be more comfortable for the time being – or maybe even from now on.
The main thing you need to do is get in the right position (squatting, sitting on the toilet or 1 foot on the toilet seat are all popular options) and of course RELAX. The muscles of the pelvic floor are very strong, so if you're not relaxed, it will be very hard to put the tampon in.
Post-childbirth you may find you need a larger tampon if you have given birth vaginally. This is because your vaginal canal will be looser, at least for a few months, and you may struggle to keep a tampon firmly inside. If this is the case try the next size up from your usual one.
Ideally, a tampon should last about 4-6 hours. If you remove a tampon after 6 hours and it still has a lot of “white” showing or it's uncomfortable because it feels dry, you should go down a size. If you fill or overflow a tampon in less than 4 hours, go up a size.
It's caused by hormone problems, problems with the uterus, or other health conditions. Menorrhagia is diagnosed with a pelvic exam, ultrasound, pap test, and sometimes a biopsy. Treatment includes hormones, or other medicine, or procedures to treat the uterine lining or remove the uterus.
The cervix generally doesn't close fully for around six weeks, so up until that point, there's the risk of introducing bacteria into the uterus and ending up with an infection, Pari Ghodsi, M.D., a board-certified ob/gyn based in Los Angeles, tells SELF.
When you feel a tampon going sideways, it's because it may be knocking into your vaginal wall or cervix. That can happen because your uterus is tilted or you're hitting nerves in your cervix. It can take practice to position the tampon to insert it at the angle that works best for you.
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.
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.
If you need to change your tampon or pad after less than 2 hours or you pass clots the size of a quarter or larger, that is heavy bleeding. If you have this type of bleeding, you should see a doctor. Untreated heavy or prolonged bleeding can stop you from living your life to the fullest. It also can cause anemia.
Vaginal delivery can result in persistent feelings of vaginal laxity. This laxity can reduce vaginal sensation during intercourse and diminish sexual satisfaction of both partners, which can in turn lead to decreased sexual self-esteem and a drop in sexual intimacy.
Most doctors recommend waiting six weeks after giving birth to have sex again. This allows for general healing and for your body to recover from specific birth-related issues, such as: Vaginal tear or episiotomy (an incision that enlarges the vaginal opening for the baby to come through) Cesarean incision.
Conditions affecting the ovaries, womb, or hormone levels can cause sudden heavy periods. These include uterine polyps, endometriosis, and more. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , heavy periods are among the most common health issues that females report to doctors.
If the number of soaked tampons or pads is **sixteen or more** for the entire duration of your period (or **eight fully soaked maxi tampons or pads**), then your flow is heavy. If you note 80mL or more blood with your menstrual cup for one entire cycle, your flow is heavy.
Tight pelvic floor muscles can be a big cause because it can push out your tampon, making it feel like it won't stay in. In fact, a weak pelvic floor or vaginal walls with less support can also make your tampon difficult to stay in.
It is safe to sleep with a tampon in as long as it's not for more than eight hours. So, if you can keep your night-time snooze to 8 hours or under, then you can wear a tampon overnight.
The string should hang down outside your body. You shouldn't be able to feel the tampon at all. If you do feel it, push it a little bit farther in.
If tampon is left in too long, it gives germs a chance to grow and cause infection. So it's very important that you change your tampon at least every 4-6 hours, even if your period is light.
I have great news for you: You can't put a tampon "too far" in! And a tampon can't get lost inside you, either. If your tampon has a string, it will be really easy to just pull out. If your tampon doesn't have a string, you'll be able to reach it easily.