Please help this 30yo work out why tampons are so uncomfortable!

[user1491810905]

So I've got to mid thirties and just never really used tampons. Never liked them as a teen, went on the pill and then got pregnant etc so never really been an issue. But I'm now not on the pill and so everything back to normal.

I normally wear period pants or pads. I'm not that heavy so it works fine and is comfortable.

But we are on a very waited for summer holiday and my period has come early. The only way to make the most of it is to use tampons. I am a 35 yo woman and I've birthed two kids. Should be fine!

Jesus christ they are so friggin uncomfortable. If I put them in they feel all wooly and rough like friggin sandpaper. They drop down and seem to go to the right of my vagina. If I pee they basically fall out. Even if I push them really quite far up they still feel like they are falling out. I can feel it every time I walk. It's not unbearable but it's not at all comfortable and I cannot believe other women would choose to feel this way so I conclude I must be doing something wrong.

At my last smear I did have to tilt my pelvis up for her to get to my cervix. Is it possible everything is just a bit wonky up there?

I won't let it stop me swimming and enjoying the pool with my DC but I would love to improve it!

Yes, I have always found Tampax incredibly uncomfortable and used Lillets instead which are fine for me. I don't feel them at all. Tampax seemed to expand lengthwise which didn't suit me at all!

Awful things. I cannot use them either but have had no issues with a cup.

I used to be able to use the cardboard applicators but didn’t get on well with the plastic ones. These were just a straight tube and the you had to make sure the tampon didn’t stick out the top. They don’t make them anymore. But tampax do do ones with cardboard applicators. Maybe have a try?

I had this - I had to try various different tampons.
I use the tampax but orange ‘regular’ ones. Pop it in, push up. Should feel for a second or 2 and you shouldn’t feel the rest of the time it’s in. I only ever used to use pads but I found them SO uncomfortable all the time so tried tampons again. Finally I feel ok-ish on my period aside from cramping and boating!

I've reached the age/stage where I no longer need them (yee ha!!!) but your pist still made me wince!

I struggled to use them at first, but in time found them brilliant. I could only use them when my glue was heavy enough though or they were too dry & uncomfortable.

there is a knack to getting them in the right place, that's for sure, for me it was kind of up then back towards my spine (a bit like putting it on a ledge 😂). If it wasn't in the right place I could definitely feel it when walking or sitting.

my advice would be to only try when your flow is good (especially until you get it sorted). Use lillets. Don't use applicator tampax (they're like 8ft of cotton wool, bleurgh) and (tmi) when you wipe don't be too thorough until the tampon is in place, then finish wiping. Start with the smaller ones & work up.

it might take a few cycles, but persist, it's worth it! (Will come in handy for the menopause too). But don't even think about that now!!

enjiy your holiday!!

I always found them really uncomfortable, tried all sorts with and without applicators but no difference. I then had a scan which showed I had a retrograde uterus - whilst googling round what this was I discovered people claiming it made it hard to use tampons so assumed that was why. Interesting that @Babyroobs and others on here have said the same.
Post babies everything is a bit messed up, I'm on the waiting list for physio but haven't even tried. So no good advice but adding another voice to say you're not the only one!

What brand are you using? I find Lillets so much more comfortable than Tampax as they are rounded like a bullet, rather than expanding in a funny way. Lillets also do organic cotton ones, could be worth a try?

I have the same issue as you as a GP has told me my cervix is tilted towards my back.

I can't stand tampons and find them uncomfortable, but the menstrual cup works for me. My flow is erm.......torrential!

I suspect it might be because of a degree of prolapse? I can use applicator tampons but struggle with a mooncup

So I used one this afternoon. Initially it was very dry and not nice but after sitting down for a bit it was marginally better.

I managed to swim with the kids and it wasn't painful though I was aware of it. It definitely isn't in totally right as I can almost feel it bulging down the front right. I am going to try on the bed later 🤣.

I have a light flow and I don't think that helped, especially as there was barely anything there when I took it out 90 mins later.

I don't want to take hormonal birth control again because it fucked me up mood wise. I want to be free of that.

Unfortunately because we are abroad the local shop only sold one brand so no fancy applicators. Never got on with those either.

I obviously have a funny wonky fanny and probably prolapse and definitely some scar tissue from my 3rd degree tear (thanks DS I love you).

I have a moon cup at home which I don't find painful but it definitely ends up falling out. I'll try it again when I'm home but for now I have to make do with tampons for swimming.

I find amazon is good for getting old stock

I could never wear them , after two children it was impossible and I'm pleased I no longer have any periods at all.
Pads are not perfect , but was all I could use

For stuff generally I mean, I don't want to get tampon hopes up!

You don't need to spend £25 - you can get them on Amazon for less than £10.

Cut the long bit off.
Don't panic if first time round you think the vacuum is so tight you will have to have it up your foof for ever! <bitter first experience> You just have to squeeze it and break the seal.

I'm the same and I've had two children myself. Never liked them, don't think I ever will. I think it's the way my vagina is angled, as i find being induced ridiculously painful (eventhough they tell me it shouldn't be) and smears are extremely uncomfortable for me too 😬

I used tampons for years. Maybe 15+ years. No problems at all. Had 2 kids close together. Only had one period after kid 1 before coming pregnant with kid 2. Since periods started up again I can't wear tampons so uncomfortable.
Forceps first birth, c section section birth.

A friend with kids the same age said to me one day she could no longer wear tampons after having her kids! She had 2 straightforward births with no stitches.

I get that with tampax but am fine with lilets. So maybe try another brand? I’m fine with a menstrual cup too so no idea why I don’t get on with tampax!

For me, Lillets were the worst!!

At my last smear I did have to tilt my pelvis up for her to get to my cervix. Is it possible everything is just a bit wonky up there?

I have the same ("tilted uterus" although as far as I understand it that's not a very accurate term) and I'm convinced there's something about my internal anatomy that doesn't agree with tampons and cups. I used to be just about able to work with the tiny ones, but now my flow is too heavy for those, I can't work with the giant beasts that I'd need, I have tried.

You could try a disc, I think they look more comfortable because of how they sit.

Also to the ladies who are finding that sanitary towels burn - it's because it's now standard that they are effing well scented. Our vulvas are objecting to the unnecessary chemicals. Try to get organic cotton or reusables.

I hate tampons. I can always feel them and can’t wait to remove them. Desperation stakes last year I bought a mooncup and OMG it is so comfortable. I literally got it so I could continue swimming but I can’t feel it at all and it’s fine to insert and remove. I bought a cheap twin pack of two from amazon and would totally recommend. I never thought I would get on them due to my hatred of tampons

So I’ve always used tampons during the day once I found lillets non applicator - just push it to the top with my middle finger and tuck the string in my lips and it’s fine

I have never ever ever been able to use tampax - either with applicator or not.

I find applicator really cardboardy and sore to get in.

if the tampon is rough it might just be because it’s too big for your flow - I have every size possible and am really careful to use the right one for the right day - all the way from the lightest to the super

wearing a tampon that is designed for a heavier flow is very comfortable (not to mention can be dangerous with TSS risk)

I went into shock trying to insert a mooncup, it was so painful. Never again. I have a high cervix and a retroverted uterus and I’ve never given birth.

From my early teens I’ve always got on fine with tampons. I find tampax by far the most comfortable and easy to insert; I like that they expand lengthwise. I can also use non applicator tampons fine; on very heavy days I use lillets ultra as they’re the biggest ones on the market.

That said, these days I tend to use washable pads more than anything else. I only generally wear tampons if I want to wear trousers or something else tight and the washable pads are too thick for them, or if I’m bleeding stupidly heavily and need double protection.

I've never had a problem. I've always used non applicator. For me I push it in as far as it goes and it almost feels like it's going over a ledge. So I push it in as far as I can and then there's like a shelf! And it pushes over! Sounds weird but it's the only way I can describe it! I find that when it needs changing my body seems to expel it and I can feel it then but otherwise I would forget it's there. I tried an applicator tampon once but it didn't go in far enough and I could feel it.

Have you tried the tampax applicator ones?
They are by far the easiest. (I know they are plastic but occasionally needs must).

If you feel dry and scratchy then add some lube before hand to help with a smooth journey 😊

But I think you can buy period swimming gear now??

Jesus Christ, there's so much specific information in this thread. It's like an AGP wet dream