To not be able to use tampons?

[Chocwocdoodah]

I know I ABU. I've had 2 kids but just can't use them- the idea of having something up there that shouldn't really be there makes me feel faint. Every time I've tried to use one, I've had to have a lie down. It means I can't do things like go swimming with my kids at that time of the month. Pathetic.

So anyone else got over their fear? How can I stop being such a bloody wuss?

Totally your choice what you use. But have you tried applicator and non-applicator tampons? I know some women who only use applicator tampons, but equally, I don't get on with them and only use non-applicator. A bit like pads, there are lots of different flows and preferences - it can take a while to find what you feel comfortable with!

If you can feel the tampon there, it's likely that you haven't put it in properly, i.e. you haven't pushed it in at the right angle and high enough up, and if you do leave it in as is, it will probably leak.

I never had a fear to get over. My DM didn't want me going anywhere near tampons when I started due to my age (er, thanks, DM) but when I was old enough to realise if I just bought my own sanpro I could buy whatever I wanted, I tried out tampons. I realised that I personally feel "cleaner" with tampons in, at a time of the month when I feel inherently "dirty".

Before anyone jumps in about how unfeminist that is, my temperature is always higher when I'm on my period, so I am more prone to sweating, and I am not a lady who does sweat well. I am also acutely aware of the smell of 'period blood' which isn't nice at all.

You say you find pads gross, so I wonder if your aversion to wearing pads is less strong than your desire to find another solution? If you start thinking about it that way, it might not feel as intimidating giving tampons another go?

If you can feel a tampon, it's not inserted properly. They certainly feel quite 'wrong' if you haven't got the angle right.

I think some people consider them more difficult to use, but have you considered a menstrual cup?

The cottonyness of tampons makes my stomach turn, and I have a bit of a fear of toxic shock, so a menstrual cup makes a good alternative for me.

I can't. Pre kids, fine. After... no chance. I can feel them no matter what and it hurts

You see, even just reading comments about "if you can feel it, it's not in properly" makes me feel queasy..... I fear there's no hope!

I'm the same, I have never used them. My periods are so heavy I don't think they would be any good to me anyway and I couldn't trust not to have leakage. I also worry that they would fall out .

Me neither. I used to wear them when I was younger. Since giving birth, they don't go in correctly, fall out and I have blood clots, which make it very painful. They also make me feel sick/dizzy.

You see, even just reading comments about "if you can feel it, it's not in properly" makes me feel queasy..... I fear there's no hope! Possibly more a mental obstical than a physical one then?

They're horrible anyway, moon cups are better

I choose not to use them. I did once in my late 20s but wasn't keen. Have occasionally wished I was used to them though. Having to carry bulky pads around each month when traveling can be abit of a nuisance.

Chocwocdoodah Periods are pretty gross all round. Is it just potentially using a tampon that makes you feel queasy or do you feel a bit funny about any other aspect of menstruation?

Also, what happened the first time you tried a tampon? Did you have a bad experience?

Try Tampax Pearl, you would still have to try and get over the thought of something being down there but they slide in so easily that it means you hardly feel them which might make it easier psychologically.

Hate tampons and never got on with them.

I am sure a session with a good hypnotherapist would sort this out but why bother? If you are happy using towels just carry on.

I've tried one before aswell, massive allergic reaction, and the same feeling of not wanting it up there!! The menstrual cup is great though, can still swim aswell

I'm the opposite sorry, can't stand pads... Feel like I'm sitting in my own mess like a nappy!
Maybe to start off, get the smallest one you can find, without applicator, and just touch it and hold it and see what it's like, and work up from there.
They're usually nice and smooth and cottony.
Not sure if this helps but I know when people are afraid of stuff like spiders they start by looking at a picture of one...

This is one of the massive positives about the contraceptive injection imo!

YANBU, I can only use the expensive tampax compact ones with the plastic applicator and even then they're very uncomfortable since having my 4th child. I stick to pads now - I'm not keen on them either as I never feel 'clean' but it's the lesser of two evils. Moon cups etc definitely not for me!

The suggestion to try the smallest tampon for light absorbency is a good one. It's easier without an applicator. Perhaps put one in a cup of water and see what happens? It just expands, nothing sinister happens.

Are you afraid that it might get lost inside you? I can assure you that's impossible.

It does sound like you have a genuine phobia though and phobias generally can't be rationalised. Therefore don't feel a failure if you can't overcome it.

Some methods of contraception can stop your periods; the coil or your pill packs can be run together without a break. That might be a different angle to consider. Gp can advise.

I hate tampons. I hate putting them in, the feel of them and taking them out!!

I can understand why other women use them but it's a no from me.

YANBU.

Yanbu, I can't use tampons until about day three because they make my already very painful periods entirely unbearable, even with prescription painkillers. I bleed like a stuck pig too so I would like to be able to use them instead of having to change enormous towels every couple of hours.

I've always used them but have found it more difficult just as I've got older. For example I can't use the cardboard ones, much prefer the ones with the plastic applicator as they slide in easier.

I also can only wear them on day one and two as day three four and five are so light that I absolutely cringe at that feeling of pulling a tampon out that is dry .

I did try to wear pads all the time but found it really really messy, couldn't bear seeing all that blood and the gushing feeling you get which you don't with a tampon.

Nothing else about periods particularly bothers me. I think it's just the thought of a "foreign object" being in there. I'm not great with medical procedures either- often feel queasy although I've got over that a lot since giving birth.

It's up to you but everyone saying they hate the feeling of them, if you can feel them they're not inserted properly

So it does take a while to get used to them, and to get them in the right angle. I can only use applicator tampons, I can't get the other type in!

Agree if you can feel them, you're not putting them in right.

I am the opposite and find the idea of bleeding into a towel absolutely horrible.

I have only used towels on 3 occasions - my first period, and twice after childbirth. Hated them.