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!

never had a problem using tampons before childbirth but have a prolapsed uterus now so can't use them. I tried again recently and I was able to get it in and it didn't immediately fall out but it didn't stop any blood flow and when I took it out a few hours later the tampon was still white, just the string was bloody, so idk what weirdness is going on up there!

I never pee with one in , I change it straight away as it always gets piss on no matter how I try not 😂😂😂. Insert it deep put foot up on the toilet seat you might be using the wrong absorbency use the lowest to meet your needs if it feels wooly you aren't bleeding enough for the absorbency. It should just slide in and slide out.

Tampax or any brand that expand lengthways are fucking awful - used them once, never again. Lillets or those that expand widthways are fine. But I use a mooncup now anyways

I use the Tampax with the cardboard applicator, and have done since my teens although they are getting harder to find.They are the only sort that i feel are able to get it into the right place. I hate the Compak ones with the plastic applicator, they feel a bit pinchy and slicy.
I also have no idea how I would use a non applicator tampon, and no matter how evangelical people are about Mooncups that's not going got be happening either.

I've never been able to use one with an applicator. Never been ok with Tampax. Lillets and super drug own are slimmer and pointier.

Personally I have to wear lilets. They expand width rather than lenght wise. I can not wear the lenght ones. I find them incredibly uncomfortable.

I can only use the ones without and applicator and push it up and back as far as possible. Can not feel and thing and never falls out I think you may be pushing straight up rather these tilted back and up

I like them but I can tell when I put them in it's more of a up to the side motion, maybe it's just things up there are a bit tilted to the side for you guys do they're not in the right place. You need to get them high enough up to not hurt but I guess you've all probably tried them multiple times 😄😄 xx

Do you give it a half turn after insertion to seal it?

Happens to me too, I’ve always hated them.
went to the beach today wearing one and oh the joy of getting home and taking it off…

It doesn't sound like your pushing them up far enough because you really shouldn't feel anything. Are you using applicator tampons as they seem to be a bit better at going further up rather than pushing it up yourself. Also maybe the size of the tampon might not be the best for the heaviness you are experiencing I tend to start on lighter ones move on to super then as I get lighter use the smaller ones.

Since childbirth I can no longer use tampons but absolutely no issues with moon cup. Highly recommend!

I'm the same. 41 and I bloody hate the things. Started my period on holiday and yesterday it was so heavy I leaked 3 times. They feel so uncomfortable

Hi op

I've tried to use them in the past, and came to the conclusion that my body rejects them. My under carriage hated them and never accepted them

Also the coil rejected those as well. Also belly button piercings twice
Sometimes your body knows best and will tell you so

Tampax I could always feel. Just too long and came out at the bottom end. Liliets I can't even feel once in. I use non applicator ones. But do have to insert far enough

Hello OP,

I think you might need to size down - I knew the feeling you mean and usually it was from the tampon being the wrong absorbency (too big) I also used the get the tampon being expelled feeling when using too big a size.

lilets are the best in my opinion!

Hate them. Moon cup is fab though. I think the secret of the cups is to cut the stem off completely

Same here! Always used them in my teens and early twenties, always used the maximum flow ones. Since having dc I can't stand even the mini ones, so uncomfortable. No idea why, I had 2 sections.

If they still exist the plastic applicator ones are easier to put in and expand sideways not down more like a lillet. Personally I find applicator tampons much easier in terms of positioning the damn things. Echo what others have said re flow, if you are using a tampon that's too absorbant for your flow at that time it is like someone has shoved an old sock up your fanny.

I'm 55 and no longer have periods but never got on with tampons. I endured them a handful of times for various reasons, but 99.9% of the time I used pads. For the peri menopause they became incontinence pads! Lovely.

I found tampons uncomfortable but also lost a friend to toxic shock as a teenager. I always assumed that was subconsciously my problem and I was the only one with an issue.

i find I have to use a plastic applicator and often need to rub a bit of lubricant around and just inside after things are inserted. I’ve never had one last through peeing. If they don’t come out entirely, they still get absolutely soaked and have to be swapped.

I have better luck with menstrual cups on all but my heaviest day. I can’t use the cup size for women who have had children or are older though. No matter the brand those always hurt and won’t place properly. Once I switched to the smallest size I had much more success.

If you can feel a tampon it isn't in correctly.

I think the best thing to do is to try a variety, I used to use tampax with an applicator, my finger isn't long enough to place ones without.

Most manufacturers will offer free samples.

You can also try using some lubricantOP

Also try squatting while you put one in, or put one leg up on the toilet seat.