December 18 2007: Tampons – Why and How?
Filed under Body
There are a number of reasons why tampons are more convenient and fuss-free than sanitary pads – the fact that the user isn’t walking around with a female diaper being the foremost. In addition to that, tampons are often less expensive than sanitary pads, and used correctly, allows the user to go about their business as per usual (swimming, exercising, wearing impractical panties, etc.) without worrying about possible leakages.
The reasons to avoid tampons that are oft quoted include: a) they’re uncomfortable and hurt the wearer; b) they cause Toxic Shock Syndrome; c) it’ll break their hymen and they won’t be a virgin anymore. To answer that:
- if used correctly, the user should not be able to feel the tampon at all. If it causes pain, the tampon was inserted incorrectly.
- While the use of tampons has been linked to Toxic Shock Syndrome, it does not cause it. Only when tampons are being inserted and used in unsterile conditions does the risk of TSS increase.
- A hymen doesn’t guarantee virginity. It can be broken via exercise and so on as well. And, needless to say, a tampon is hardly large enough to reach the hymen in the vagina.
The key factor to using tampons is to use them hygienically (wash your hands before and after use, and don’t unwrap the tampon from its individual packaging until the second you actually use it), and to insert them correctly, following the steps below:
- Unwrap the tampon, taking care to touch it as little as possible with your bare (washed) hands.
- Unravel the string from the base of the tampon so that it reaches its maximum length. Ensure that it’s firmly attached to the tampon.
- Hold the tampon by its base (where the string is), and get ready to insert it.
- Either stand and raise one leg by putting one foot on the toilet, or squat on your haunches (depending on the cleanliness of the physical environment). Some women prefer one over the other – personally, either one works well for me.
- Relax your vagina, as though you’re urinating (obviously this necessitates emptying your bladder prior to inserting the tampon). Tense vaginas make for uncomfortable insertions.
- Place the tip of the tampon against your vaginal opening, at an angle where it’s pointing to your lower back.
- Gently push it in to the full length of your finger, leaving the string outside of the body. Don’t worry about it going too far – tampons are too big to go in further than they’re supposed to.
At this point, you shouldn’t feel anything. If you can feel the tampon, then you either haven’t inserted it properly, or it isn’t in deep enough. Remove the tampon, and try again with a new tampon (never reuse tampons!).
It’s easy to tell when tampons are ready to be removed. On a routine trip to the bathroom, gently tug on the string. If the tampon slides out easily and smoothly, it’s ready to be removed (simply pull the string at the same angle as the tampon). If not, leave it.
Keep in mind that depending on the heaviness of your period, tampons can generally be left inside your body for a minimum of three hours, and a maximum of eight hours. While the minimum time is flexible according to one’s own needs, it’s not recommended to leave a tampon in your vagina for longer than the maximum eight hours.
And there you have it. A simple guide to the why and how of tampons, and tampon use.
16 Responses to “Tampons – Why and How?”
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This is a great reference Amanda, better than the ones in the box!! I might have to print it :P
I tend to be really OC with my period though, I take my tampons off exactly 4 hours and 6 if it’s light. I’m the raise one leg type of person.
Juice on December 18 2007 #
Having recently started my period again since coming off the depo jabs, I’ve gone straight back to tampons and they do make everything effortless and easy.
FWIW, the amount of recorded cases of TSS has rapidly dropped since around the 80s. I believe there were something like 3 cases of TSS death in 1998.. so you’ve probably got a higher chance of being run over by a bus than contracting it. I would say sitting in your own blood and goo is much less sanitary and healthy any day!
Jem on December 18 2007 #
Wow, detailed. Haha, I still stick to sanitary pads because it’s a bit more convenient for me since mine is so light. I’ve always been the type to never have heavy ones though, which is frustrating because mine takes a long long time. If I ever use tampons I’ll definitely read this again lol
Chien Yee on December 18 2007 #
I used tampons for the first year or so of my period because my mother was terrified I’d get toxic shock, but my period was heavy (not, like, a fountain, as in bleeding for weeks on end like some poor girls, but far from light) and I eventually convinced her to let me go on tampons. I swear it was the best thing I ever did for myself. It makes periods so much easier to deal with and I don’t have to worry about sitting at odd angles, thus causing the pad to dislodge.
Jordie on December 18 2007 #
Tampons are one of the best inventions ever :D
Chans on December 18 2007 #
Nice post. Compared to everyone else, my period must be super heavy … The first two days, I have to change tampons every 2 /1.5 hours. So I have a tendency to use both them & napkins. It doesn’t help that I can only wear the smallest sizes. :( (My GYN can attest to this…).
Chantelle on December 18 2007 #
Dammit, I expected pictures by clicking “Continue Reading” – you know, like the sealed sections of magazines.
Paddy on December 18 2007 #
if used correctly, the user should not be able to feel the tampon at all. If it causes pain, the tampon was inserted incorrectly.
How’s that possible?You shouldn’t be able to feel it ;)
Emsz on December 19 2007 #
<3 tampons, but whatever happened to that menstrual cup experiment? Do you still have that in the back of your mind, or…?
Reply: I’m still thinking about it, but due to the zero-to-none use of it in Australia currently, might wait until there’s better literature and support available…
Leila on December 19 2007 #
Oops… Sorry about my previous comment.. :S I guess I missed a bit whilst reading the article.. Sorry!
Emsz on December 19 2007 #
I don’t use tampons because I have an irrational fear that the string used to pull it out will snap, and the tampon will stay there FOR-EVAR!!1 heh.
Robmarie on December 19 2007 #
If you plan on staying at university for a few more years, may I suggest looking into a degree in health?
I can so picture you as a public health nurse.
(I totally typed nerd first…)
Nellie on December 19 2007 #
PADS = LOVE.
Pad Lover And Won't Hear Otherwise on December 21 2007 #
Number seven is dead wrong. I’ve known people who had tampons go further than they’re supposed to and they had to go to a doctor to get it out.
Reply: They must have some freakishly long fingers! :)
Lavendel on December 22 2007 #
ive slept with a tampon in before is that ok once in a wile?
Reply: I wouldn’t make a habit of it!
Rocky Sping on March 29 2008 #
hi I’m 15 yrs old n I recently started wearing tampons bout a month ago. They r sooo much better than pads. As long as u r relaxed u shouldn’t have a problem putting them n. My problem is taking them out. I am currently using playtex slender lites. By I use them during my regular flow days. I leave them in for the maximum amount of time but for some reason they r difficult to take out. Other than that they r da best thing dat u could possibly use.. For anyone out there who r considering to use pads I say go for it
Just remember 2 relax be take ur time. I have been trying to use pads for so long but it wuznt till recently I wiz actually able to insert them. I alwaze would tense up b4 inserting them. Just remeber dat ur vagina isn’t too small to accomodate a tampon… And also use a mirror it really helps!!
jada on August 23 2008 #