Is my vagina being unreasonable?

[PleaseUseTheSanitaryBinsProvided]

Posting here for traffic

I haven’t been able to use tampons for the past 6 months ish. I get them in the right place, but they end up ‘sliding’ down (can’t think of how else to describe) to a place where I can feel them/is uncomfortable/painful. So I have to remove them. It feels like my vagina is expelling tampons. Has anyone ever experienced this?? Found a solution? Has any advice??

For context, I have an 18 month old, born via c section, no birth injuries sustained. I’m 37. I noticed at some point in the last year that I was clenching my pelvic floor muscles almost all of the time. I now make a concerted effort to release the muscles, and I do pelvic floor exercises when I remember.
Have tried to change my position/technique when inserting tampon, situation has improved but it doesn’t last long.
No pain or discomfort during intercourse.

I absolutely hate using only pads/having to witness the carnage and live with that sensation of being wet and the fear I may leak on clothes, seats, etc

Tried cup before and it didn’t suit me so not an option.

help!!

I’ve never been able to use Tampax, they’re just too long and slide out too. Lilets only for me and no issues whatsoever.

Mine was similarly unreasonable post DC but only with Tampax/applicator tampons. Non-applicator absolutely fine.

I did discover on holiday once the most amazing tampons by playtex that were applicator but an unusual shape. So on expansion they became cone shaped with the pointy bit heading down.

Glad the title is tickling pp, I was shamelessly trying to get attention 😂

Will get some non-applicator tampons to test this tip out. I used to look at them and think why wouldn’t you want an applicator?? Live and learn!

I can’t remember why I made the switch to non applicator - possibly because they are smaller or maybe for waste reasons, but once I had tried them I much preferred them, including pre children.

Have tried the out breath suggested… makes it better to begin with then down the tampon goes again

Have you tried changing tampons. They expand slightly differently. I used Tampax before my children but now use lilets as I struggled with Tampax after giving birth. Seems to make quite a big difference for me.

C-sections here. The cup is all I can get on with now. Tampons just didn't sit right anymore!

@macaroonsandgin @Septemberdaysarehere can you recommend a brand of period pants, please? Have considered them also to reduce waste but wouldn’t know which brand I can trust with something so potentially risky!!

Hi op.

Similar story, I had a c-section and really struggled with tampons after child birth. I had numerous symptoms where my body seemed to be rejecting using disposable products be it tampons or pads.

I had a lovely friend that literally banged on about cups. I tried it, didn't like it. But she told me to persevere. I read up a bit on insertion and removal and tried 3 different shapes and now I can't ever go back to anything else. I love love love my moon cup. I am now that person banging on about cups. I only need to empty it twice a day and I can't feel it at all. My periods are so much easier now.

Love the title btw

why didn’t I ask the combined wisdom of MN before!?

could’ve ditched the tampax with cardboard applicator (so the longest!) ages ago!

Defo change from Tampax as they expand lengthways. The little bullet style non applicator ones, usually supermarket own brands that are the cheapest, expanded width ways and are much better.

Kegals are great and all but the single best thing I did for my vagina was yoga.

all the stretching and posing put things back into place I guess, or holds them where they’re supposed to be.

has helped with the bladder issue and the tampon issue for me

Wow I also now have to use non-applicator post partum and I thought it was just my body being weird.

It used to happen occasionally to me too. I found if I did the one leg on the toilet during insertion it seemed to go higher (and slightly round a bend feeling). I felt like an experimental teenager again 😂

Also agree with trying a different brand/applicator.

I suggest period pants! Dd is 15 and they are amazing. Last 8 hours, feel comfortable and much more secure than pads. I don’t have them because they’re expensive and I’m hoping to lose weight before investing. DDs are from cheeky wipes but there’s lots of options available.

Defo try lillets. Shorter and wider than tampax 😬. Wuka period pants are good although possibly not for you a they do feel a bit damp after a while. Ah the joys!

I can't use a cup as I can't get it in. And I can't use non applicator tampons as I can't push them in far enough.

But I found a reusable applicator (think it was Lillets) that meant I could use non applicator tampons as I needed the shorter length of them. Game changer for me!

If you want non applicator tampons but the ease of using an applicator, lillets have a reusable sterilisable applicator for light - super plus absorbency (not so handy for those of us need flood proof ultras..)

Boots had a pack on sale recently online

Hi OP. I Would suggest going to a women’s health physio. Especially with experiencing your pelvic floor being engaged. There may be something you can do, or it may be that things have just changed down there and your vagina will forever more be unreasonable

I have this same issue after having 3 kids (2 vaginal births, 1 c-section). I prefer applicator tampons as I never seem to get the non-applicator ones in a position that feels comfortable. I now use Tampax Pearl which have an applicator but expand width ways. They're comfortable, stay put & there's no leaks. On lighter days I use the M&S period pants, not keen to wear them all day when at work on the heavier days though.

Leave the bastard that what I say !!! Very unreasonable behaviour. Who does she think she is to throw out your tampons 😂

I can't get along with Tampax either, they are just too long. Supermarket own-brand (don't waste good money on Lil-lets) non-applicator are great. Use a tiny spot of lubricant if inserting them feels a little dry.

🤣🤣🤣🤣

It sounds weird but my body has become like this. I’m heading through peri menopause and never had an issue, but now it’s like it thinks it’s a foreign object and pretty much removes it lol.