Use a Tampon

This article will teach you how to use a tampon.

10 Second Summary

1. Wash your hands.
2. Sit or squat on the toilet, or place one foot on a stool.
3. Insert the tip of the applicator into your vagina.
4. Push the applicator with your index finger, then pull it out.
5. Remove the tampon by gently tugging at the string.
6. Change your tampon every 4 to 6 hours.

Steps

Dispelling a Few Myths with the Facts

There are a lot of urban legends about using tampons, and you might have already heard some bad information on how to use them. Knowing the facts can dispel your fears or Puberty and Reproductive Health

1. Be reassured that a tampon will never get stuck or lost inside you. Honestly, there's nowhere for it to go! The cervix, at the end of the vagina, only has a tiny opening to allow blood through. You can always pull it out with the string, or reach in and grab it with your fingers if the string breaks.
2. Be aware that you can still go to the bathroom with a tampon in. Just gently lift the string so it is out of the way.
3. Realize there is no minimum age to start using a tampon. You can start using tampons at any age, make sure to be comfortable first––you don't have to be over 18. Some girls skip using pads and go directly to using tampons, especially if they do sports like swimming or gymnastics.
4. Understand that using tampons doesn't make you Lose Your Virginity Without Pain (Girls). Contrary to one particularly unhelpful myth, using tampons does not make you "lose your virginity." Tampons might stretch the hymen (the thin membrane that usually stretches when you have sex), but the hymen does not tear. The hymen only partially covers the vaginal opening and is intended to stretch and bend. Even if your tampon use does stretch the membrane (which can happen during other activities, too, like frequent horse-riding), it doesn't mean you're not a virgin.
5. Make sure you have enough supplies, wherever you go. Whether you're off to work or school or out playing sports, always have spare tampons in your bag. Especially when first starting your period, it might be helpful to pack a small makeup bag with tampons, pantyliners, wet wipes and a spare pair of panties.
6. If you sleep more than eight hours, use a pad overnight. That way, you don't have to worry about hopping out of bed early to change a tampon, or even risk Toxic Shock Syndrome, a rare but serious medical condition that happens when the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus gets into your bloodstream.

Before Insertion

1. Buy tampons. As you've probably already seen in the grocery store, tampons come in a variety of types and sizes. Here's what's easiest for your first time:
   • Buy tampons with applicators. Tampons come in two basic types: with applicators, or a plastic tube that will help you push the tampon up into the vagina. Having the help of an applicator will make life easier when you're first learning, so choose a box that includes them. (In the U.S., O.B. is the primary brand that sells without applicators––most other brands have them.)
   • Pick the right absorbency. Absorbency is simply a measure of how much absorbent cotton is in the tampon, ranging from light to heavy. Most women use heavy absorbency tampons during the first day or two of their periods, when bleeding is heaviest, and transition to lighter ones toward the end. If you're concerned about pain, though, hedge your bets by buying light absorbency tampons. You'll have to change them more frequently, but they'll be slimmer and more comfortable. A good beginning tampon is Tampax Pearl Lite. You can also just get "junior" or "slim" tampons. Using a smaller sized tampon at first will help you get used to inserting them and they will also be easier to take out.
2. Wash your hands. It might seem weird to wash your hands before you go to the bathroom, but it's a smart move in this case. Tampon applicators are sterile, and washing your hands keeps any infection-causing fungus or bacteria off them.
   • If you drop the tampon on the floor, throw it away. It's not worth saving a few cents or even a few dollars on a tampon if you have to go through an uncomfortable and painful infection.

Inserting the Tampon

1. Sit on the toilet. Spread your knees farther apart than you usually might, so that you have maximum access and visibility while you figure this out, or you can squat and sit like a frog on the toilet seat.
   • Alternatively, you can stand to insert a tampon, placing one foot on a higher surface such as a toilet seat. If this works better for you, give it a shot. However, most women prefer sitting on the toilet so that any stray bleeding is contained.
2. Find your vagina. This is the most common hurdle first-time tampon users run into, and it can seem really daunting. Once you figure it out, though, you're set for life! Here's how to make it a little easier:
   • Understand your anatomy. There are three openings: the urethra (where urine exits) at the front, the vagina in the middle, and the anus at the back. If you already know where your urethra is, feel an inch or two behind it to find the opening of the vagina.
   • Use the blood to guide you. This might sound weird, but it'll help if you're struggling. Wet a piece of toilet paper, and completely clean up all the menstrual blood in the area, from front to back (or hop in the shower and scrub down). Once everything is clear, dab yourself with a clean square of toilet paper until you find where the blood is coming from.
   • Ask for help. If you are really and truly lost, don't worry, as many girls before you have been here! Ask a trusted female relative––such as your mom, sister, grandma, aunt, or older cousin––to help you figure this out for the first time. Try not to feel embarrassed, and remember that every woman has been where you are now. You can also ask your doctor or nurse to help.
3. Hold the tampon correctly. At the midpoint of the tampon, where the smaller tube of the applicator meets the larger tube, hold it between your thumb and middle finger. Place your index finger on the end of the applicator where the string comes out.
4. Slowly insert the top, thicker half of the applicator into the vagina. Aim toward the small of your back, and push it up a few inches until your fingers are touching your flesh. Don't worry about getting your hands dirty––menstrual blood is actually pretty clean, as far as bacteria goes, and you can always rinse off when you're done.
5. Press the thinner half of the applicator upward with your index finger. You should feel the tampon move a few more inches up inside of you. Stop when the thin portion of the applicator meets the thick portion.
6. Pull out the applicator. Gently tug the applicator out of your vagina. Don't worry––you won't pull the tampon out with it if you've followed the instructions and inserted it fully. Once it's out, wrap it in the tampon wrapper or a piece of toilet paper, and throw it into the bin.
   • Never flush applicators — they can seriously damage plumbing.
7. Check for comfort. You shouldn't be able to feel the tampon inside of you, and it shouldn't be uncomfortable. If it's painful to sit down or walk around, something's gone wrong; usually it's that the tampon isn't far enough up the vagina. Insert your finger inside the vagina until you feel the tampon. Push slightly, then do another walking test. If it still hurts, you inserted it wrong. Pull that one out, and try again with a fresh one.

Removing the Tampon

1. Change out your tampon every four to six hours. You don't have to do this immediately as soon as four hours have passed, but try not to let it go for longer than six.
   • Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is an extremely rare but potentially fatal consequence of leaving a tampon in for too long. If you've accidentally left a tampon in for more than eight hours and you're suddenly experiencing a high fever, a sudden rash, or vomiting, pull out the tampon and get medical help immediately.
2. Relax. Removing a tampon might seem painful, but it is not. Take a few deep breaths, loosen up, and remember that it's maybe going to be uncomfortable but not painful.
3. Slowly tug the string at the end of the tampon. You might feel some slight friction from the cotton fibers as the tampon comes out, but it shouldn't be that painful.
   • If you're queasy at the thought of grabbing the string with your bare fingers, do it with a square of toilet paper.
   • If you do feel some catching and resistance as you pull the tampon out, it's probably because it's dry. Switch to a lighter absorbency to solve the problem. If it's too dry, use some water so that it does not stick.
4. Dispose of the tampon. Some tampons are specifically designed to be flushable, so they spread apart and move easily through the pipes. However, if you're dealing with a low-flow toilet, a septic tank arrangement, or you know there have been problems with clogging in the past, it's safest to just wrap it in a wad of toilet paper and throw it away.

Tips

• Putting the tampon in may hurt at first so just stretch, breath slowly, and relax. This will loosen your muscles.
• Take a mirror and look at your vagina; study the location. It will be easier to insert the tampon once you know where it is precisely.
• The string on a tampon cannot break easily. If it does, simply remove it by hand.
• Carry around a small bag with extra underwear and some pads and tampons and maybe a few wipes. This gives you options if the tampon is uncomfortable and if you leak.
• If you find that inserting the tampon is painful, take a few deep calming breaths first and insert slowly.
• Make sure that if you're younger and just started your period you should check with your mom, sister, aunt or trusted adult for permission or guidance in a sticky situation. Your blood may smell a bit, but if it's stronger than normal, check with an adult. If you are embarrassed, remember that this is normal, and marks you growing up.
• Do not insert a tampon if your period is very light, as it will be more painful to get out.
• If you can feel the tampon when you walk or sit down or if it is uncomfortable, go to the bathroom and push it up further. If it is still uncomfortable, then it isn't in right and should be taken out and disposed of correctly.
• If someone else calls you horrible names ("slut" etc..), just ignore them. Tampons are simply there to catch blood, nothing else. There is nothing wrong with using tampons.
• Don't tighten up when inserting the tampon, as this will hurt. It causes you to force the tampon up a smaller opening and can hurt the layer of tissue there. Also, make sure that the string to pull out the tampon is directly in between your legs, this way you know that you shoved your tampon up your vagina and not your anus or urethra.
• You might feel more comfortable alternating between tampons and pads.
• If you insert it and don't like the way it feels, don't retry the same one - use a new one.
• Don't directly hold the tampon in the open at school. Keep it in a small makeup bag or something like that so that other people won't tell anybody if you don't want the news to spread around. However, if someone sees it, don't worry about it. No one cares that you are on your period.
• If you are about to go swimming during your period, don't be afraid to ask a few others if they have an extra tampon handy. They won't mind-they're probably going through the same thing as you.
• Ask any older female relative for more useful tips. If you can't ask your mom, there is still older sisters, cousins, aunts and close friends to turn to.
• Adding a liner (a very small thin pad, often used for just in case, or very light bleeding) can stop small leaks without all the bulk of a normal sized pad.
• If the string breaks, there is friction, or it's just stuck and it won't come out, instead of ripping the tampon out of your body which is painful and may cause rips and tears that may get infected, hold onto the string and give a slight push, it will loosen the tampon. Don't worry, it sounds weird but your body will help push it out (same way it does with a baby).
• If, at first, you cannot get the tampon in, you may be too tense. Relax or try again another time.
• If you aren't queasy about wearing pads, consider wearing them when you are at home. It can give your body a break and, for certain people, can actually be more comfortable as well.
• If you are at home and just find it too difficult to insert the tampon while on the toilet, give yourself a quick wipe and go lie down on your bed, with legs up against the wall. Then insert the tampon normally while aiming towards your back. This way is a lot easier, and it is also easier to push the tampon farther inside your vagina too.
• While you can use a tampon in your first period, it's probably best to wait 3 or 4 cycles if you can. This was you can see what you're flow is like on average and not end up using a tampon too heavy or light. If you have to use one for your first few periods go 'regular' size and check to see when it's ready to come out on hours 4, 6 and 8.
• If you have a small mirror, adjust it to see your vagina. This helps you find it easier and helps for beginners.
• Don't feel like you need tampons. Pads are okay.
• If you feel that you are going to get your period, then wear darker clothes or simply put in a pad or tampon before wearing white.
• If you feel comfortable doing so, you could ask your trusted girl friend(s) to go to the bathroom with you, you will feel more comfortable that way. Also if something would happen, you would have someone you trust there with you!
• If you are just starting to use tampons or are nervous about leaks, start off with wearing a pad and tampon. This can prevent any leaks.
• If you're younger, start with a small, light tampon. You can always increase later once you get the hang of inserting it.
• Avoid putting Vaseline on the tampon, as this can be extremely dangerous. Vaseline and other products like it are meant to be used externally and could cause an infection.
• Don't be embarrassed! Having your period and using tampons are nothing to be ashamed of.

Warnings

• If you know it's already stuck, don't try to tug it out too vigorously. It can hurt very badly if your skin tears while you're trying to pull it out.
• Be aware of risks such as toxic shock syndrome and vaginal infections.
• If you drop the tampon by mistake, don't use it. It is possible you could get an infection very easily from the germs on the floor.
• Don't use tampons when you're not menstruating; doing so can potentially lead to painful and embarrassing infections.
• If you sleep longer than eight hours, brace yourself and use pads overnight to decrease the risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome, a painful and sometimes fatal infection. If you sleep less than eight hours, or if you do not mind getting up to change your tampon at night, then you can surely use tampons during the nighttime.
• Always remove a tampon before having sex, as this can push the tampon out of easy reach.
• If you can't remove your tampon, ask an adult to help. If all things fail, quickly get to the hospital for a professional to help remove it.

Related Articles

• Tell Your Mom About Your Period
• Swim when You Are on Your Period
• Use a Menstrual Cup
• Know when You're Ready to Start Using a Tampon
• Deal With Your Period
• Insert a Tampon Without Applicator
• Use a Tampon While Swimming

Sources and Citations

• http://www.plannedparenthood.org/teens/my-body/your-period — Planned Parenthood information on your first period

See also

• Insert a Tampon for the First Time
• Use a Tampon Painlessly
• Insert a Tampon Without Applicator
• Ask for Permission to Use Tampons
• Know when You're Ready to Start Using a Tampon
• Remove a Stuck Tampon
• Remove a Tampon
• Dispose of Tampons
• Avoid Peeing on the Tampon String
• Get Your Mom to Let You Use Tampons

Read more ...

What links here

• Swim when You Are on Your Period
• Use a Menstrual Cup
• Know You Are Getting Your Period
• Know when You'll Get Your First Period
• Use a Tampon Painlessly
• Shower While on Your Period
• Recognize Staph Infection Symptoms
• Exercise While on Your Period
• Insert a Tampon for the First Time
• Tell Your Mom About Your Period

Read more ...