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AIBU?

..to not be able to use tampons?

96 replies

Chocwocdoodah · 15/04/2016 23:56

Ok, I don't really want to know if you think I ABU - I just didn't know where else to post this!

I've always been a bit queasy with medical things. Going to the Dr's for things like smears, blood tests even BP tests used to make me faint when I was younger. Definitely got better with age and since having kids and I don't let it stop me going to the Dr's etc but I can still get a bit faint. I have the same problem with tampons. I have tried a few times over the years to use them and usually have to lie down soon after putting them in as I feel faint. I've never kept one in for more than a few mins. I need to get over this - if only so I can go swimming whenever I like! Also pads are just grim and don't make me feel very "clean".

Has anyone else had this problem and if so how did you get over it? Any tips as to types of tampons I should try??

Honestly, I squeezed two humans out of there, you'd think I could manage a bloomin tampon....

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NNalreadyinuse · 16/04/2016 00:00

I'm like this too. I want to use them because I think that they must be nicer than towels but just thinking about it makes me quesy (sp?)

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Chocwocdoodah · 16/04/2016 00:04

I'm glad it's not just me. I feel like a 12 year old....

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Puppymouse · 16/04/2016 00:07

I'm the same OP. I feel completely violated whenever I've tried. But I do have ishoos... I use pads and just grim grin and bear it.

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Archer26 · 16/04/2016 00:10

Same. Used them maybe once but I just felt uncomfortable. The thought of them just makes me wince. ConfusedI understand the pad thing though, often feel unclean.

I chose to go onto the injection for this amongst other reasons.

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JustABigBearAlan · 16/04/2016 00:12

Yes, they are much nicer than towels. Pads to me feel like wearing a nappy!

I don't have your problem, so perhaps I'm not the right person to give advice but what sort of tampons have you tried? I find the applicator ones the easiest. And once it's in, you shouldn't be able to feel it at all. Is the feeling faint from the effort of having to overcome your fear and put one in, or can you still feel it?

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WallyBantersJunkBox · 16/04/2016 00:13

I know they aren't very earth friendly but ones with a plastic applicator seem to be smoother to use and insert to begin with?

A dab of Vaseline on the end can help too?

I also used to prefer one leg on the toilet standing rather than sitting. (I don't like touching the toilet whilst doing it. Blush)

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CallarMorvern · 16/04/2016 00:19

I'm 46, not even remotely squeamish, but they make me feel ill, I started using them at 12 as I swam competitively, but hated them. I use them now only if I really need to, but they make me feel fluey.

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EverySongbirdSays · 16/04/2016 00:20

YANBU - never used them always been quasy about it ie the feel, knowing it's in right, getting it out, everything

Fainted in the lesson at school when they explained smears. Had been really irresponsible around smears as am phobic, turned out had cervical issue and had to go to specialist just to have smear done as GP couldn't do it. Blush Quite irresponsible about due smear due to level of faff involved. Will have to go to hospital.

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TrionicLettuce · 16/04/2016 00:20

You're definitely not alone, I'm exactly the same. I just cannot use tampons at all, they make me feel sick.

Unfortunately I can't offer any help as it's not something I've ever been able to get past. I've tried so many different types and the result is always the same. I react really badly to smear tests as well, I just seem to have a massive (inexplicable) aversion to having inanimate objects in my fanjo Blush

Have you ever tried washable pads? I love mine and fine them much nicer to use than disposables. Obviously not much help for swimming but might be worth looking into for the rest of the time.

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Seren85 · 16/04/2016 00:28

I can't offer any help but just another voice your say you aren't the only one! I'm 31 and have tried many, many times but I just can't use tampons. I can't insert them and attempting to makes me feel sick and dizzy. I swam competively for years and lost count of the hours my poor mum spent trying to help me with them (as in being supportive and advising, not actually yknow..). As I was only a kid then she commented later that it might be easier once I'd had sex but numerous later attempts have the same results. I've tried all kinds too so I've just accepted they aren't for me!

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DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 16/04/2016 00:39

Have you ever tried a sponge? Softer than tampons so might be easier.

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BillBrysonsBeard · 16/04/2016 00:44

I'm the same. A penis is fine so why is a tampon an issue!? I'm 31 and the only time I managed it was at centre parcs during my period... managed to insert them while laying down and they went in comfortably. Then one leaked while I was in the pool and it put me off, haven't used them since! Getting them in and out was so faffy.

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FelicityR313 · 16/04/2016 00:46

I am somewhat the same, somewhat the opposite. In terms of inserting the tampon, squat (or bend your knees somewhat). I only ever buy the applicator tampons. I open the packaging etc, and TMI DO NOT READ ON IF YOU'RE SENSITIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!












I then sort of pull the labia aside with the pointing and middle finger and insert the tampon.
I find pads filthy horrible things and tampons to be intrusive but slightly cleaner.

I wish I was a man! Grin

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Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost · 16/04/2016 00:56

You could be me Choc. Exept I haven't got better. I don't think really as a PP says you can compare a tampon to a smear. I mean before the penis enters you. You're turned on and the vagina becomes wet and expands. You're hardly turned on when inserting a tampon or having a smear are you.
It's good to come across threads like this because ITRW it seems like I'm the only women who can't just jump up on the examination table spread my legs and allow some freaky foreign body to be inserted into my vagina like it's nothing, but all my friends can. Is it weird to say I feel inferior to them. And as for all that checking where your cervix is. I wouldn't have a clue.

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Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost · 16/04/2016 00:56

Tampon to a penis not a bloody smear.

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Seren85 · 16/04/2016 01:05

I can have smear tests without an issue. TMI..
having to have a lost condom removed involved a similar apparatus and since I had NO choice but to get that sorted its never bothered me...no idea why tampons are still an issue but there we go.

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Ipushedmygrannyaffabus · 16/04/2016 01:41

It's not that using them makes me feel queasy, I just find them so bloody uncomfortable! I,ve always been able to feel them inside me, it's horrible. Hate pads but better than the trauma of tampons! So glad I'm not the only one!

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EachandEveryone · 16/04/2016 01:49

Try the plastic applicator ones. Maybe your cervix is stilted? So change position. I use a mixture of both but yesterday at work I realised how whiffy pads are and they cost a fortune if you are paranoid like me having to change them every five minutes, they shouldn't make you fluey.

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WonkoTheSane42 · 16/04/2016 01:56

And once it's in, you shouldn't be able to feel it at all.

People say this, but I could always feel tampons. I hate them. And I use a menstrual cup, so it's not squeamishness about putting them in.

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Chocwocdoodah · 16/04/2016 06:41

Aaargh, just reading all your comments about putting them in is making me feel icky...!!!

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Hrafnkel · 16/04/2016 06:43

Same here. Hate them. Always feel them, had an enormous leak once while on an exchange to Florida aged 16, staying in a family with a pool in their back garden. I've never forgotten the shame :(

This year we're going to centerparcs and Eurodisney. All I can think about is whether I'm going to be on :(

Sorry not to be able to help at all!

People on this thread are being really helpful, but tbh I can't stand the thought of using applicator tampons - if I don't like the thought of a tampon, the thought of cold cardboard up there too is even worse.

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Stanky · 16/04/2016 07:18

I'm on a pill where I never have periods. God knows what the long term effects will be, but I don't miss them. I haven't had a period for years.

I feel the same about tampons. I nearly fainted in primary school when they were telling us about toxic shock syndrome, and about girls having to go to casualty with tampons stuck inside them. I tried a few times, but always felt sick and faint, and I could always feel them inside me the whole time.

I was so jealous of the girls in the adverts who just popped in a tampon, and they were free to swim and rollerblade around without a care in the world.

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CoodleMoodle · 16/04/2016 07:23

Same here! I'm nearly 27 and have successfully used a tampon once in my life. Every other time I've tried has just made me feel awful. And the time I managed it was all I could think about. I hated it!

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SharingMichelle · 16/04/2016 07:29

Tampons make me feel ill. I think it's the draggy, cotton-wooly-ness of them and the idea of it sitting there like a bloody slug.
I have no problems with a menstrual cup - much cleaner - could this be an answer for you? Although I did have to persevere for the first couple of months to really get the hang of the cup.

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hannibalismisunderstood · 16/04/2016 07:31

Try the Tampax pearl ones, plastic so smoother and just the right shape with no faffing about pulling out part of the applicator first Etc.... the ones with the paper/card applicator are awful, they drag and make me sore but pearl are ace :)

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