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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask about tampons

106 replies

Imustbemad00 · 08/03/2019 20:16

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.

OP posts:
supadupapupascupa · 08/03/2019 23:33

I don't like tampax, they leak for me. I use lillets. Always have. Applicators for me feel like you not sure where it's gone, I know with lillets exactly where I've pushed it to. Never leaked. Perfect for swimming x

Bigonesmallone3 · 08/03/2019 23:38

Only ever used tampons and used them for a swim

Aberforthsgoat · 08/03/2019 23:51

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

TrixieFranklin · 08/03/2019 23:54
Grin
SmarmyMrMime · 08/03/2019 23:58

My body prefers the smooth silicon of a mooncup to the dryness of tampons.

Applicators really didn't work for me, non-applicators were a bit better, at least they actually went in. I've used a tampon once in an emergency since discovering mooncups and washable pads, and blooming heck, could feel the wretched thing rubbing away at every step of my 8 mile race.

It takes a few goes to get used to the feeling of a cup and getting the stem to the right amount (completely off in my case)

I took Northisterone so that I could take my A-levels (the risk of combining 3 hour exams and writhing on the floor in agony was never appealing) and continued an additional week for a holiday. The following month was the collapse on the stockroom floor period, and there is a connection that it can cause a heavier period next time. It was worth the certainty of passing exams though. I don't know if it is having had children or switching to cups and washable pads, as both happened around the same time, but since switching the pain has actually been managable with OTC pain killers, and I've certainly had less thrush from being dried out.

I'm not sure how a tampon put in the correct place could fill with water when swimming. Even as someone with a fairly shallow build, they go in, and it would be bloody uncomfortable if it wasn't inserted enough so as to be able to absorb pool water Confused

The moral of this thread is there's no one size fits all answer, but you won't know what the answer for you is unless you try it!

kateandme · 09/03/2019 05:43

and relax nothing works or fits when you fraught tort and not breathing!keep calm,your not doing anything wrong or icky or hard just keep relaxed.
I don't know whether your two dc are girls but what would you say to your girl who just started and wanted to use them.how nervous will/would she be.as her mum how would you get her through.now apply to yourself.you can do it.

Original poster
Imustbemad00 · 09/03/2019 07:25

@Aberforthsgoat
Think that says more about you than it does me as that trail of thought did not even occur to me.
I’m pretty sure people could find more arousong things on the internet pretty quickly rather than waste their time talking about periods and tampons...
I did a google search previously but this has been way more helpful.

OP posts:
Pootle40 · 09/03/2019 07:36

I've used non applicator tampons for almost 30 years as they always felt easier to put him. You shouldn't feel them and if you can they are at the wrong angle or not in far enough. Have used them for swimming hundreds of times. You might need a bit of practice but my god is it worth it.

PepsiLola · 09/03/2019 09:29

I struggle with tampons (didn't used to, I have some scar tissue from my first DC).

Anyway, on the rarity I wear tampons, I have to use applicator ones with a string. My key is after the applicator has clicked to say it's in, give it a little push up using the applicator so it goes a little higher. The higher it is the less I feel it (and obv you have a string to pull it out).

If it's in correctly you won't feel it at all

DontCallMeCharlotte · 09/03/2019 09:56

I would never go swimming wearing one. It would just absorb all the water and be useless.

Oh bless!

MNHQ
YetAnotherBeckyMumsnet · 09/03/2019 10:21

Hello everyone - we've had quite a few reports about this thread, which we do understand as it's a subject favoured by a particular trollish demographic. While we can't ever be certain about anyone, our OP here has been around the boards for yonks now and has not given us cause for concern.

FrowningFlamingo · 09/03/2019 10:26

I CBA to read the whole thread but I had to use tampons from my first period as I was away when it started and the lady I was staying with only had them in the house, no pads.
I always got on with them fine.
Tampax compak or pearl are the easiest imo as the plastic applicator is more comfy than the cardboard ones. Look at the leaflet in the box which has a helpful picture of the angles you need which you might not realise! And use a couple first to just see how the applicator works before actually using one.

BumbleBee27 · 09/03/2019 10:32

No idea why people are assuming this is a troll or implying it's an odd thread :/

Loads of people have problems with tampons. Myself included. I'm well into my 30s and have always liked the idea of them, much more discreet and hygienic than pads but whenever I've tried to use one I literally go all clammy and nauseas. Can't insert them and the idea of them being 'up there' makes me feel weird too. Can't explain why it's just a feeling. Always felt quite immature and embarrassed by my inability to do it lol. Pads are not the greatest alternative but I've always had to use them.

I'm on the combined pill so if I had a holiday or whatever planned I'd just run two packs together.

DrPeppersPhD · 09/03/2019 10:36

Tampax pearl are the best, requires a tad bit of practice but very good. I recommend ILikeWeylie's video on youtube, she had a really good explanation.

Fluffyears · 09/03/2019 10:43

I can’t use them, I can always feel them even i I put it inuntil it touches my cervix. I was told at my smear that I have a tilted cervix so I think i’m just not able to use them.

PurpleDaisies · 09/03/2019 11:05

Tampax pearl are horrendous for the environment.

dudsville · 09/03/2019 11:17

I hate tampons. I used to use them, and started off on them as I was into sport when I was young, but I stopped nearly a decade ago. Personally, I'm not so fond so swimming that I'd be willing to use them again. I'm guessing that you are a massive fan of swimming to overcome your squeamishness in order to do so. Unless your flow is substantial enough you won't be able to change them that often, and do not, try to pull it out if it's not easy, that hurts. And I'd worry about suddenly needing to change and not noticing in time. HOWEVER, loads of women use them successfully to go swimming, so best f luck to you.

Being a woman is such fun!

CouldntThink · 09/03/2019 11:26

I really like the tampax pearl ones. Don’t forget they are different sizes depending on your flow. I have to use the super+ ones at the start of my period and then swap to regular a couple of days later. Maybe buy some applicator ones and take one out of the packet and just practice pushing the applicator first with your hands. They’re really not difficult to use and I’ve swum and gone to spa days with them in with no problems, I just change them as soon as I get out.

PutsFootInIt · 09/03/2019 11:36

HELLO

DO NOT PRACTICE INSERTING THE TAMPON WHEN YOU'RE NOT ON YOUR PERIOD! unless you're going to use lube. Your vagina may be dry and it will feel uncomfortable / be difficult to insert.

ALSO don't use a small one, even the super plus plus ones are very small in comparison to a willy (presuming that is the way you got pregnant). If you have a normal-heavy flow than a small one will be useless. But DEFINATELY use an applicator. And remember to put one leg up on the bath and point the aplicator diagonally up and back towards the small of your back because your vag doesn't go staright up. If you have any trouble watch a youtube vid Grin

I am not sure how you can have sex but be bothered about wearing a tampon. Is it more about the idea of having a foreign body in there? You really don't notice it once it's in and they are much nicer than towels.

Butteredghost · 09/03/2019 11:43

just insert and done the when you remove drop straight in the toilet and flush

Noooooooo not this again. Do not flush your tampons people! Jesus!

BuggerOffAndGoodDayToYou · 09/03/2019 11:51

I’ve only used tampons (apart from immediately post miscarriages and childbirth) since I was 14. Only use non applicator as could never get them in the right position with an applicator.

Never feel them when in, never had them soak up water when swimming. That’s my personal experience.

CouldntThink · 09/03/2019 11:53

I wasn’t meaning OP should practice inserting one when not on her period 🙄, just practice how to move the applicator with your hands.

BuggerOffAndGoodDayToYou · 09/03/2019 11:55

just insert and done the when you remove drop straight in the toilet and flush

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER flush anything but poo, wee, toilet tissue or vomit!

outpinked · 09/03/2019 11:57

I hate tampons, never managed to get used to them and I have had children but they still always seem uncomfortable.

I would advise norethisterone tbh. Delays your period so very convenient, I have taken it twice and it was fantastic.

TheMuminator2 · 09/03/2019 11:57

The GP should prescribe it, they did for me when I went on a cruise. MAde it more enjopyable knowing i didnt have my period

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