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.

Use plenty of lube (ky gel or similar) until you get the he hang of it
Contraceptive Dutch cap used to be good, don't know if they do it now, imagine mooncup similar.

Can you work out when in your period you’ll be swimming? If it’s just the dregs you can probably get away with it.

Use applicator tampons & it inserted properly you shouldn't feel it. Tho I know ppl say say they can with non-applicator ones. Absolutely fine for swimming, just change it regularly once you're out of the pool & for your own peace of mind wear a dark coloured bathing suit

Well, in no way is this wank fodder.

I dunno, there are some very strange folk out there!

I'm going to go against the grain here and recommend non applicator tampons. I could never get on with applicators. I used Lillets for over 30 years with no problems.

TBH I am struggling to understand that the OP is squeamish about using tampons given that she has had children.

What’s the main difference between applicator and non applicator.

Going to research the delay tablet.

Can't comment re the water, but if you're unused to tampons can I recommend tanpax pearl with applicators? So easy to insert and remove!

Also, how do you take the tablets inyoure not 100% sirenwhat day you’re due. It says take 3 days before but what if you’re a day or 2 out.

I've used tampons for swimming since I was 14.

I always wanted to use tampons because I couldn't stand the feel of sanitary towels. They were fairly easy to get the hang of, as I remember.

I've never had a leak, or it soaking up water or whatever, when swimming. Just remember, you won't feel a tampon inside you if it's inserted properly. Give yourself time to practice inserting before you go.

And as a pp suggests, tampax pearl are amazing. I don't use them regulalry, as they are not the most environmentally friendly - but hey, to go on holiday, or to try out, they are very good.

Thanks for the advice. Tampax sounds more straightforward than getting tablets. I’d be worried about tablets messing up my cycle for when I go on holiday which would be a bigger disaster than my upcoming event. Period due 2 days before event so will have a couple of days to practice.

Tampons are totally fine for swimming and really not that hard to use. But OP, if you're this stressed about it, I would investigate period swimsuits. They aren't cheap, though you could easily just get the bottoms and then pair them with a normal tankini/bikini top.

I'm shocked at the no tampons for swimming!?!? OP, I've been using tampons while swimming for 30 years. They get no more wet than non-swimming tampons.

Cannot believe a user further up the thread has just said tampons absorb water so can't be used for swimming! Bonkers.

Anyway, I swim all the time so have always used tampons. Personal preference for everyone but applicator ones do help with positioning if you are inexperienced. As someone else said, gripping the cardboard ones can be a bit tricky so spend a bit more on the Tampax Compac to make life easy on yourself. Nothing to be squeamish about - quick, easy and painless! You never know, you might try them for the purposes of this holiday and never look back.

Buy a box of regular, or slim ones, and a box of super (in case your flow is heavy when your'e there).

If you have time, practice during a period you have before you go.

They really are so easy - use slim first, to get the hang of them, then bob's your uncle They're so easy to use.

I get your fears OP, I used to be reluctant to use tampons but it turns out it just took a bit of practice. Now they are my main choice of sanitary product.
Get ones with a proper applicator, make sure you insert it fully when you're well lubricated (dryness hurts) and make sure it is high up inside you properly or it will be uncomfortable. Don't take it out too soon (again dryness makes it uncomfortable to remove). Honestly, with a bit of practice you'll be glad you persevered. Just my opinion but I used to hate them too. Good luck!

I swim with tampons in, never had a problem although you do have to make sure they're up high enough.

I'm a non applicator fan. I find Lillettes are the best fit for me and I like that the lack of applicator means I can fit them just right for me. I always found Tampax never sat right and the material wasn't comfortable inside me. I also am not squeamish about putting my fingers in and having a rummage, so the applicator wasn't a necessary for me on that front. I found the applicators never positioned right for me- but that is for me, not for everyone! Definitely practice with ky jelly too, makes it a lot easier to start, whatever you choose.

Also- it's a state of mind. Relax and just believe in it and it'll go in much better because your body won't be resisting it. Good luck!

But I would definitely recommend tampax pearl for nervous beginners.

I'm 48 now and have been using tampons for every period since I was 14, as I said - no problems when on holiday, or swimming or whatever.

Ive never got on with applicators either. I like lillets and superdrug own as they are slimmer and pointier than tampax so easier to get in.

Oh thanks to brigetreilly that was the one I had seen, i had assumed I’d been mistaken as I didn’t see it when googling just now.

I find Tampax Pearl are the best. Very easy to put in.

Tampons feel so much more clean and heigeinic to me than pads. Also totally fine for swimming. My advice is use non applicator ones as the applicator ones tend to be rubbish quality and actually more difficult/invasive to insert.

Norithestone is generally prescribed for one off uses. I used it last year to delay a holiday period and it worked a treat. No effect on further cycles.

They definitely don't just absorb the water. That crazy! I use them for swimming all of the time. I've never had a leak in the pool.

I've never had any problems with them at all. It's all I use for my withdrawal bleeds.
I like tampax pearl as I find them the most comfortable. (I'll occasionally use tampax compak if I can't get pearl, never compak pearl though).
I've used them since I was a teenager. So much cleaner and more discreet