Perimenopause-Struggling to use tampons

[Lex345]

Shamelessly posting for traffic-I am fairly sure I am perimenopausal, and its bringing some "delightful" surprises, like 2 weeks apart periods, horrific cramps, night sweats and month long PMS.

The strangest yet though-I am really struggling to use tampons-I have used tampons with no problems for over 25 years-sorry if TMI here-I insert them properly as I have always done, but they seem to be dislodging/causing painful irritation. I only ever use them in the day and when I am heavy, so I don't think it is due to dryness or them staying in too long (i have a max 4 hour rule anyway)

Has anyone else experienced this? I hate just wearing pads especially every 2 to 3 weeks!

Any other charming perinmenopause effects I can expect?

Have you tried other brands? Can be a very expensive experiment but I have that with Tampax. Organic ones made under a full moon by virgins are fine

No advice but same happened to me, fine with tampons before first baby, absolutely impossible afterwards. No damage as I'd had a c section, it was like it had shrunk! I was 38, no idea if peri or not then, as everything was all over the place post baby.

I haven't heard of that brand-will take a look thank you-are they applicator ones (never mastered non applicator!) I mainly stick to Tampax/asda ones usually.

I'm 39 so maybe spooky- funnily enough i was ok after having the children-I wonder if we change "shape" down there in perimenopause?

I find it very uncomfortable in pads, especially when heavy, and if in public I am terrified I will leak :(

I had problems with tampons when I was menopausal; I think it's due to dryness, and changes due to hormone levels.

Googling the brand above has brought up surprising results of NASA sending someone to space with 100 tampons 😭😂

You might want to get your GP to check whether you have a prolapse as this was the first sign for me. Or even better, if you can afford it then a private consultation with a gynaecologist

Thank you Dragonfly-maybe it is this (as it seems to be causing irritation nearer the outside, not deeper inside)

Provincial-would this be picked up during a smear/would I notice during sex? Both these seem OK touch wood

@KatyN I am really struggling to find that brand-if you see this could you link them for me please?

I struggle with tampons and moved to a moon cup but mostly period pants. Both of which have been a game changer.

Tampax pearl are easier to insert. They also expand width ways rather than the ordinary tampax that seems to expand in length too making them uncomfortable

I think that poster was making a joke rather than describing an actual brand

Lillets also expand widthways and now make a reusable applicator to be used with non applicator tampons (they stopped making their single use applicator tampons)

Another vote for Lilets.

I switched to mooncups and find it a game changer (mid 40s).

Could I suggest maybe using a dab of canesten or KY gel around the vaginal opening prior to insertion to see if that helps?
I used a dab of canesten cream ( chemist own brand ) prior to using the tampon and found it helped a lot.

It's just naturacare but the fussiness of my ahem makes me think there has to be some magic in there.

I had this after both of my kids but it eventually improved and I was able to use tampons again. Now I'm late 40s, full on peri and it has been happening again occasionally. I have been sticking with Tampax pearl and they are definitely the best ones for me.

Oh sorry loss of sense of humour added to my perimenopausal symptom list 😂

You could have a prolapse, when you sit on the toilet, push down like you need a poo and have a feel about, if you can feel something protruding, it's a prolapse. Lots of women have them. Have a chat with your GP though.

Thanks for all the suggestions-definitely will try some of these-not sold on moon cups, think I am a bit stuck in my ways with tampons even if I could use them comfortably for 2 or 3 days it would be a win!

Yes I had exactly this. Resorted to pads for the last year or so. Bleah.

It was ten years ago or I might have tried period pants. Hope you find something that works for you.

I found moon cups a lifesaver in perimenopause, really worth trying, tampons became really uncomfortable and pads just didn’t cut it. Cut the the little plastic tag off though.

it was so much easier for the unpredictability of flow, timing etc.

also the first time I flooded I went off to the GP and got hrt. Really helped. Also vaginal oestrogen as I was getting dryer and not realising it.

if you are having 2 wks apart periods i really suggest going to see your GP to exclude other causes, any unusual bleeding should always be checked out. It may be peri but it excessive bleeding also be things like hypothyroidism (which also causes dryness) ,if you are starting peri at a young(er) age then HRT is really recommended for your bone health apart from all the other benefits. Highly recommend Mirena coil as likewise i was struggling with tampons and flooding. Was a combi of thyroid and peri for me.

I use a brand called Time of the Month or TOTM you can get them in Tesco. Unscented, organic cotton. Anything else causes huge irritation including thrush and BV.

I resorted to pads apart from for swimming when I was peri. Mainly because of the heavier periods. I e I was to go back now I'd use the period pants my DD uses.

I'd also be talking about HRT now OP.