To not be able to get used to using a tampon when not having a period?

[TamponSupport]

After years of being told to change tampons regularly and never leave them in too long etc etc?

I've got a grade 2 prolapse, plus bladder and slight rectocele. Been to a physio and had advice and exercises etc. I've been told to exercise only with a pessary when using weights, squats, lunges etc and running. Also to use it whilst hiking down hills. I find it's ok for a couple of hours at a time, but more than that and the pessary is uncomfortable. Physio said if I'm out for the day, to carry it with me on the way up and put it in before walking down. It's not exactly practical to find somewhere to strip and rummage to put it in and you've nowhere to wash hands or hide from other hikers so she said I could also just wear a heavy flow tampon all day if it's more comfortable.

I've tried it a couple of times, but can't get rid of the idea that I'm about to keel over from TSS!

YABU: It's a tampon, everyone wears them, it's fine.
YANBU: I'd also think I'm about to be struck down by TSS.

It would be horrible to remove if it's dry. Surely there must be another option without TSS side effects

I definitely wouldn’t be wearing a dry tampon. I think you need to try other types of pessary. There are lots of types and some may feel better for you.

That rings alarm bells for me: there was a problem with some super absorbent tampons some years ago... basically, they caused TSS made worse by sticking to the sides of the vagina and causing damage when removed because they were so absorbent and had a drying effect. Several women died.
Every tampon pack says not to use when not having a period, and not to use too high an absorbency, so it seems strange advice.

If you do need to use a tampon though, could you cover it in vaseline first?

Could you use something like a pelvic floor exercise aid?

I'm surprised your physio hasn't recommended a proper, fitted pessary. This is exactly what they're designed to do.

Have they discussed this at all?

I'm surprised your physio hasn't recommended a proper, fitted pessary. This is exactly what they're designed to do.

As I said, I have one, but it's not comfortable to wear for the whole day. It's also not practical to insert once you've been hiking for half a day, have nowhere to wash your hands before inserting it and nowhere to hide from other hikers.

It's ok for a few hours to go running or whatever. It also gets uncomfortable if I sit down for too long, so e.g. putting it in at home and wearing it for an hour in the car before hiking is also not very pleasant.

My physio said that the Tampax manufacturer said that they were not to be used in this way, so I’m surprised she suggested it.
There are pessaries you can buy, but they are expensive.

Don’t wear tampons if you’re not bleeding. Really a bad bad idea.

You shouldn’t use tampons if you’re not bleeding. So YANBU

Sorry, I'm full of cold and completely misread that 🤦🏼‍♀️ I was reading pessary and thinking tampon. I clearly need to go and have a lie down!

I know people have had success with sea sponges. You can buy them on Amazon and cut them to fit. They are more comfortable than pessaries, but provide some necessary support.

Not sure how they are that different to tampons though in terms of absorbency and TSS.

I'm not a squeamish person but I literally balked at the thought of inserting and removing a dry tampon. Especially an extra heavy one which are fatter. And with a prolapse which I'm assuming is painful/uncomfortable?

Surely it'll be more uncomfortable using a tampon like that than a pessary? The dragging it out (gack) will surely hurt your prolapse? If I have to take a dry one out because my flow lessened after I put it in, it can be painful and drags on the skin of my vagina to do so.