Struggling with Tampons

[suziesue45]

Hi all, I've no idea whats going on. Ive used tampons all my period life, I'm 43, but I'm really struggling with them now. Last months period I struggled to get one in and could feel it, this month I've resorted to using pads instead after not managing with tampons again and also had a lot of pain 😔
I have had children in my late 20's and have never had any problems until now.

Bumping for any help or advice please

Is it possible to be too dry? Like if your flow isnt heavy? I know i struggle if I'm not as heavy and I've literally just removed one too. Either i wait a day to start heavier. Use pads etc. Or try wetting the tip slightly 😬🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

I didn't have much to go on...not sure what part is the issue 😂. Hope that helped? If not, Atleast its been bumped x

This happened to me around the same time. Too uncomfortable to wear anymore...

I have a heavy, short period so wear the super plus size non-applicator. They never feel comfortable. I'm 40.

A menstrual cup is the answer. Revelatory for me OP

My flow is really heavy for the first few days but its still very uncomfortable to wear a tampon.
Ive never even entertained the idea of a menstrual cup, I might look into it, thanks.
Im so glad its not just me though so thank you everyone.

I changed to a cup when tampons became suddenly uncomfortable and it has been fantastic. I was very nervous first cycle worrying about leakage and removal but honestly after the first few goes it was so simple. Theres an online tool somewhere called putacupinit or similar, it can be really helpful in seeing which cup might be right for you.

I have recently been unable to use my cup. Turns out that I have a double prolapse (bladder, rectum) so I am now tight again for all the wrong reasons

Might be worth seeing a doctor.

I'd check with the dr to rule out prolapse. What brand are you using? Ive always found superdrug non applicator to be slimmest and pointiest, so easier to get in. Otherwise cups are great. You can get period pants but I dont know how reliable they are.

I'll definately look into the cup, thank you. Are they easy to remove as the pointy bit doesn't look very long?
I use the superdrug non applicator too, super for my first few days when I'm mega heavy, then regular. I may have to book a GP appointment as I'm aching a bit down there, I thought it was due to my tampon being in awkward but I've worn pads for a few days and its still painful so need to rule out a prolapse, thanks.

I had a similar issue and changed to a cup and cloth sanitary pads. Much more comfortable, both putting in and taking out. My periods have shorted to 1 very heavy day and 2 light days. I think years of tampons was just "holding it in" for the 5 days.

How much exercise do you do OP? As this depends how firm of a cup you need. The less exercise the more soft a cup.

Also the toggle on the end is irrelevant as you don't remove it with this, it's just to help you find it. If you pulled it out by the toggle/pointed but you'd pull all your insides.
You can to squeeze the cup to break the seal or put your finger on the rim and break it that way.
I've since cut the toggle off as I found it annoying.

It took me 3 cycles to be confident with it. Wear panty liners to start off as you will leak whilst getting it right.

I empty mine twice a day in the shower, so not when I'm out and about thankfully. Although if you do, try and only do it with a toilet that has a sink next to it to watch your hands.

If a cup isn't for you, do try cloth sanitary pads, 100% better than disposable.

Sorry for terrible typos! I meant wash your hands.

Mensural cup is the way forward. I can use it all the way to the end of my period.

Ditto moon Cup absolutely life changing for me!! Wish I'd tried one years ago instead of pushing dry tampons in to suck any life out of me.... 🤣 I happened upon the perfect one straight away and never looked back. So not sure about others as never tried them but leason cup is amazing!

@suziesue45

I'll definately look into the cup, thank you. Are they easy to remove as the pointy bit doesn't look very long? I use the superdrug non applicator too, super for my first few days when I'm mega heavy, then regular. I may have to book a GP appointment as I'm aching a bit down there, I thought it was due to my tampon being in awkward but I've worn pads for a few days and its still painful so need to rule out a prolapse, thanks.

It can be a little tricky the first few times but you soon get used to it. I honestly love mine for my heavy flow days. Used to wake up leaking and gross with a maxi tampon AND a pad. No more with my cup 😊

I also have washable pads for the lighter flow days towards the end of my period. So soft and comfortable.

I would recommend the website mentioned put a cup in it. As I started with a branded 'mooncup' which was OK but I never really got on with that one. Did the put a cup. In it survey and I now have a luna soft which I love.

Perhaps you have a minor prolapse

@waitinggame108 That's really helpful, thank you. I don't do a great deal of exercise so a soft cup would be better. I was looking at them last night and was a bit overwhelmed by the amount of different ones out there.

@MrsRogerLima Great advice, thank you. I had looked at cloth pads as I use the re-useable face pads which wash great. Definitely a lot to think about too.

I always try to use the toilet at work with the hand wash basin in with it as I work in a hospital so I like to make sure I can wash my hands before and after using the toilet and also be in the block alone due to covid restrictions so that wouldn't be an issue for me.

@lozjay I did think that too and I know I had issues with a low cervix anyway so it possible a prolapse that's made it worse now.

@suziesue45 You need to look at two different issues

1 Loss of estrogen in peri menopause (you might be in that now) which makes the vagina less lubricated, shorter and unable to enter easily (is this an issue too with sex if you have it?)

2 A prolapse. if you have a prolapse, you wouldn't necessarily find it hard to insert a tampon unless you also have (1) above. Women with prolapses tend to have quite loose vaginas, so tampons fall out eventually or slip down. If your uterus has slipped down, getting a tampon high enough is impossible and you ought to be able to tell it's hitting something before it's right inside you. You can easily examine yourself standing up and if your cervix is low you can feel it.

I read something on the media not long ago about mooncups and prolapse and it said they can make prolapse worse- not sure how but I think it's the way women use and remove the cup.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-51805689

@JinglingHellsBells Thank you for your advice, much appreciated.

I have noticed a change in my periods over the past 6 months or so, so yes I think the peri menopausal part could well be right. I don't have sex as I'm single and have been for some time so cant comment on that but inserting tampons is certainly much more difficult and painful now.

My cervix has always been quite low, I can definitely feel it when I've examined myself. That's very useful, thank you. I'm still investigating and reading up on different sanitary products as I'd like to have a choice but also be environmentally friendly if possible.

I much prefer the tampax in the plastic insert, I found the cardboard insert too dry at my age.

I struggle with tampons now and I have been told I have a cervical ectropion

I have struggled with tampons for the last few years to the extent that I gave up on them and went back to pads.

I have just had two massive ovarian cysts detected and removed (along with my left ovary) and suspect they were what was causing the issues as it is now much easier to empty my bladder and have a bowel movement. I haven't tried tampons yet as still healing from the op but it will be interesting to see if I can get a tampon in now - I suspect it will be.

Just something else to consider, OP.

PS I am 43 too.