To ask about tampons

[Imustbemad00]

Sorry if this is a bit personal. I’m going somewhere in a few weeks that’s going to be orientated around swimming and water. I’m likely to be on my period and I’m so pissed off.

I’ve never used a tampon before. I’m quite squeamish/prudish or whatever the word is regarding anything to do with such things. I’m 32 if that’s relevant. I’m considering trying tampons so I can wear a swimsuit and swim. Will I struggle first time. The thought of it makes me sick but needs must.

Essentially, I just want to know are they easy to use? I’m guessing yes as thousands of women do. I think I have a vague memory of trying once and not being able to do it and freaking out.

Tampons are easy to put in but I would never go swimming wearing one. It would just absorb all the water and be useless.

I don't get on with them at all. I only wear them if I need to for swimming. I can always feel them.

My Dd's prefer them to pads and wear them during the day and pads at night.

They’re fine for swimming.

Odd thread. Haven’t you got kids?

A mooncup would be better than tampons, really easy to use with a bit of practice.

Tampons are my favourite to use on my period, no mess, hygienic and don't make me feel gross like pads do (and sweaty!).

Easy to insert so don't worry about that and you shouldn't really feel it when it's in, I change mine every 4hrs.

I would never swim in one though.

Odd thread. Haven’t you got kids?

Not every 30-something has kids.

I've often used tampons while swimming?! I take them out right after so they're often actually dry where there wasn't a heavy enough flow to soak through the whole tampon. Definitely not true in my experience! Maybe you're not putting them in high enough if they get wet.

i checked first harry. I’m 30 something with no kids.

Dead easy to use, just give it a try. I haven't used anything else since I was 14. They're fine for swimming.

What thefirst48 said is absolutely not true.

I have used tampons for over 20 years and regularly go swimming while wearing one. I'd advise you to practice before you go until you're confident. You shouldn't feel it if it's inserted properly and it won't fall out or soak up the pool water.

*Odd thread. Haven’t you got kids?
I've had four kids and don't feel comfortable wearing tampons! What's having kids got to do with tampons or towels!?

There have been some dodgy threads about tampons recently. I worry about people over sharing in good faith.

I could never use them. Until in my forties someone told me about the plastic applicator ones. Get the very smallest ones. Now I can use those.

Still can't do those cardboard ones. No grip!

I use them swimming all the time! You'll be fine, OP. Have you thought about Northisterone to stop your period?

Oh and I use non-applicator ones. Could never get on with the applicators.

I know how you feel OP I have heavy periods and was sick of pads and leakage and it took me a good few months to use a tampon as it made me feel sick and I’m a queasy person. Deffo use applicator ones, much much easier! I admit the first few times I used them years ago I had to lie down for a few mins afterwards as I felt dizzy and faint! (Feel so silly admitting that) but now it’s easy peasy and I don’t know what I worked myself up about! I use them now on my first two days of my period (heaviest days) and honestly they are much much better than pads. Try one on your next cycle ones with applicators, I found putting a leg on the toilet first few times helped then maybe have a lie down if like me you feel a bit off afterwards! Soon get the hang of them though! x

I have 2 kids. I’m just massively squeamish. I know they can definetly be used for swimming. This is my only reason for wanting to.
Google has told me to get the small applicator ones.
Its the thought of it that puts me off. The inserting it. Not whether it’s uncomfortnale to wear. I’m going to have to try otherwise it’ll ruin the whole event for me.

I would look into Northisterone, OP.

What's having kids got to do with it!
I'm 32 and like you I have never used them and feel icky about them I would love to as I hate pads just don't like the idea of trying to get it in, I tried one time and it felt like putting sand paper in. Obviously I was doing it wrong but have never got round to trying again

You could get a prescription of norethisteronefrom your doctor to delay your period. You take three tablets a day a few days before your period is due and keep going until you want your period to arrive and stop and then a day or so later your period arrives. Then your cycle is reset from that new date. I did this as I was due on my wedding day!

Just looked up northisterone. Not sure doctor would prescribe it for something like a one off event. Also could that have a knock on effect on my cycle, as I have a beach holiday in May and as I’m very regular I’ve wprked out that I won’t be on my period so don’t want anything to mess with that

Look on you tube. There are videos that can help you with using tampons. That's how my teenagers learnt. It was easier for them to watch something than for me just describing what to do.

I hear you and was exactly the same until my late twenties. Whatever you hear on here do not go near a moon cup, if tampons are daunting to you a moon cup is the stuff of nightmares.

I recommend tampax compak light or regular. They are user friendly and straightforward. www.boots.com/tampax/tampax-compak/tampax-compak-regular-tampons-applicator-18x-10245436

Most importantly try not to worry about it, stress makes them more difficult to insert. Some days you will be fine, some days it just won't work. Don't worry about it, accept that happens from time to time particularly at the beginning. It gets easier over time. You've got this!

@Cherylshaw I found cheaper ones were like that sandpaper feeling but tampax pearl applicators are much softer and easier to slide in, I started with them until I felt comfortable using just ordinary ones which have a rougher applicator x