Why is my tampon not absorbing my blood?

[mckenzie]

I came on last night. This morning I inserted a fresh tampon. Ive just been to the toilet and blood has leaked into my pants but the tampon itself is still white, hardly a scrap of blood on it. This has happened for the last couple of periods. Any ideas why? I'm using Tampax regular.
TIA.

[AtYourCervix]

do you have 2 vaginas? (possible but v rare)

[allegrageller]

i do'nt know at all but it sonds like you may need a bigger size tampon or (if you can deal with the idea) a mooncup which just catches blood and doesn't need to absorb it.

[Marrow]

Have you left part of the plastic wrapper on? In the days I used tampons (converted mooncup user now!) I did this more than once

[mamalovebird]

I get this for the first few days when my period is really heavy. Maybe it just doesn't have time to err, absorb. Maybe you need to up your tampon to a super or super plus. I have to use super plus for the first few days then downgrade to a regular towards the end of the week.

[mckenzie]

Thanks for the replies. I'll try the larger for now but perhaps this will be the push I need towards the mooncup!

[nbee84]

It maybe that you have a slight prolapse - so your cervix sits lower in your vagina than your tampon when you insert it fully.

[controlpantsandgladrags]

I would say you've either left a bit of the wrapper on or you need a larger size. I have to use super plus these days (Thanks DD2).

[AuntieMonica]

i was going to name change for this, but put my brave hat on......

my cervix is off to the side slightly, if i insert a tampon 'straight' i get the same sort of problem. it's always been like this for me, even before having children (if i can remember that far back )
maybe have a rummage around and find out where exactly yours is, it may help.

the Gynae 'expert' who fitted my coil had a bit of a job too

[ShatnersBassoon]

This happens to me when the flow is very heavy. It's like the blood gushes past the tampon without giving enough contact time for absorption. I too have to use the biggest tampons known to man, plus a sanitary towel when I know it's going to be Carrie At The Prom day

[mckenzie]

Thanks for the extra replies. The flow is not heavy at all, it just seems to bf missing so the 'off centre' seems more likely. Im on holiday now but will do some research later. Thank you.

[snicker]

This happens to me as I have a mild prolapse. I couldn't get away with a mooncup either due to prolapse. I use sea pearls/jam sponge or sometime lillets (as oppose to tampax).

[mckenzie]

Thanks snicker, i think these little Tampax seem to be worse. I shall try the good old fashion Tampax if I can find them in the supermarket here as at the moment I'm just counting my lucky stars I'm very light and making do with constant trips to the toilet!

[griphook]

get this aswell, often the tampon is completly clean, and yethave leaked. cervix tilts back so coul be that, Tampax do seem to be slightly better

[fusspot66]

You may want to check the instructions on the leaflet in Lillets, but I think you can fluff out/fan out the base of the tampon with the string before you use it on heavy days otherwise it doesn't have time to expand and cope with the flow. I haven't used them for a few years as I have a Mirena, which I love, so no periods.

[WomanwiththeYellowHat]

I have always found this with Tampax - I use Lilets as they expand widthways and they are much better. I have always assumed I have an odd shaped vagina . And 2 c sections here so can't even blame my enormous children!

[mckenzie]

Thanks for the extra replies. Thankfully my periods are really light so im making do while I'm on holiday but next month I shall try lillets instead.

[kat2504]

Lilets or other brand of non-applicator tampons are definitely better. I have been using them for years and very rarely have any leakage, unlike when I used applicator tampons. Hope you get on better with them!

[2m0nkeys]

I thought it was just me!

[FleeBee]

I had this tampons & mooncup id leak but the mooncup would only have collected a small amount & definitely not be full. I ended up wearing pads as well.
In the end I just used pads & I change them frequently as the tampons / mooncup seemed so ineffective. I can never understand how everyone raved about them & I was having problems!

[steppemum]

I find this with applicator tampons, they don't seem to expand sideways so much and the flow goes past.

non applicator seem to work better.

Also go up a size

[demirose87]

I've never used tampons, haven't tried since I couldn't get one in at 13. And my sister put me off leaving one in for a week by accident

[wrinkleseverywhere]

This is fascinating. I have always had this issue. Tried different sizes but that didn't help and they were uncomfortable. I will try Liletts. MN is brilliant!

[steppemum]

I used to swear by lilets. Nowadays I find that supermarket versions are as good

[3boys3dogshelp]

Lillets! I had this problem with tampax too.

[FaithAgain]

Zombie thread!!