Tampon Question

I used to have this kind of problem, too.
I'm guessing you haven't pushed the tampon far up enough.
Once you've pushed it far enough up, you shouldn't feel it at all.
To be more comfortable pulling one out, try squatting and pushing
when you pull the string.
Good luck.

You could also try using Instead or a Diva Cup. Both are great options that dont' absorb so you don't have that pulling feeling if there are dry spots on the tampon.

You are a brave woman Marda! That would never work for me lol!

It definitely sounds to me like the tampon is not inserted properly. I can't tell you exactly what's going on, but the only time I find them really uncomfortable, is when I don't get it in just right.

I have 2 suggestions:

**Go to your gynecologist and let them insert one for you to see that there is no reason they can't go into you properly (no medical issues), and to coach you on inserting it properly yourself. This might be a little embarrassing, but they see it all... this would be no big deal to them... and worth it for you, if they can get you on the right track. There really is no reason a tampon should be uncomfortable if inserted properly. You shouldn't even feel it in.

**Try the Instead Softcup. You can get them at pretty much any drug store/pharmacy (Walgreens, Target, etc.) They take a little getting used to, so I'd practice ahead of time, while you're not on your period, to get used to inserting/removing them. They are VERY different than tampons. They don't even really go in the same spot tampons do, so you may have a much better time with them. The only thing is that you really can't be squeamish about putting your finger(s) into your vagina, because you have to to get it into place, and to pull it out. And removing it is a tiny bit messy, but really no big deal, just something to get used to. The upside to the Instead Softcup is that you can leave it in for up to 12 hours with no leaking and no risk of toxic shock, like with tampons, so it's ideal for an indoor waterpark (Great Wolf Lodge, by chance? We go there and love it...) It looks like a silicone ring (like a livestrong bracelet) that has a thin, clear (like saran wrap) cup attached to it. If you follow the directions to a T, it will pop right into place, right behind your pubic bone. And you will not feel it when it's in. You can even have sex with it in with no mess. I've tried that, and I couldn't tell it was in, and neither could my fiance. And I've never experienced a leak, unlike tampons, where I often wear a pad for the frequent leaks.

As for going without anything, well, I don't think I'd try that... not at an indoor waterpark. You will not be going from locker room, to pool, to locker room. You will be walking all over the place, up and down steps, on and off slides, in and out of the pool, etc. You will need protection, or you will have a mess on your hands. And I would not want to be coming off a slide with blood dripping down my legs.

Go get the Instead Softcup, and try it now. Get used to inserting/removing it while you're not on your period, and don't have the mess part to deal with. If you decide to try this, and have any trouble, message me. I'll talk you through it! :) Truly, if you really read and pay attention to what the directions say as far as the angle of insertion, etc., and do exactly what they say, you will not have a problem.

Best wishes and have a blast!!! We're going to Great Wolf Lodge in January for my son's birthday... Can't wait!!!

It sounds like it isn't in far enough. You shouln't feel it at all. You may want to try a plastic applicator as well. They are a little softer to start. Make sure none of the tampon is sticking out. If it is then it will hurt. I prefer Tampax and have even tried the HEB brand plastic applicator and they are good as well. If you pull the applicator out and some it hurts a little push it further in with your finger. When it's in the right spot it shouldn't hurt anymore. I use them all the time and prefer them bc you can't feel it. Also check the packaging it will show how far to put it. Good Luck.

Have you heard of the Diva cup? Sure need to. I felt the exact same way as you about tampons and hated the bulk and mess of pads that irritated me. With some practice and allowing your self a few cycles to really get comfortable with them, the Diva cup is awesome. I will never use anything else.
If you feel to rushed about it now I still would really suggest giving it a try. It will change your world at "that" time of the month!
Check out Amazon. They have two sizes. One size for younger women that have never had children or one for someone older or that has experience childbirth.
Best Regards,
C.

When you insert them... do you insert them IN the cardboard applicator all the way that you can and THEN plunge?

If it's inserted too low it knocks into all the "happy" nerves and makes them unhappy. If you start plunging too low it sucks the mooisture out and "tugs" on the skin... which hurts a great deal and then is also uber irritating.

Also... because I didn't know better early on... the applicator is completely removed after inserting.

((Someone mentioned that OB expands lengthwise... that's wrong... it's the tampon that I use. It expands widthwise. There are 2 versions of OB. "Pro" and "Applicator". Applicator has one, Pro doesn't. But they both expand out, not in)).

You can ALSO practice inserting when you're not on your period. I'll periodically use one after sex so I'm not drippy later on. I've also put on in before x because I THINK my period is about to start, and I'm wrong. Even NOT on your period the tampon shouldn't hurt or pinch during insertion or afterward. But you don't want to practice over and over. Your vagina needs time to relube itself.

Get a menstrual cup. There are several varieties; diva, moon, etc etc - just google it. Some (diva I think) are sold in stores so you could pick one up before you leave - Central Market around us carries them. They also sell the Instead soft cups in the tampon aisle at most major grocers - these are disposable menstrual cups. My experience is that they are not a comfortable and tended to leak, but if your flow is light they might work for you.

Try the Instead Soft cup. You can use a little lubricant to insert it. It's very comfortable if inserted properly. I've slept in them before and almost forgot about it in the morning.

For tampons I like the Kotex Security brand. There are different positions you can try to insert them high enough. I know I feel the same way you do if it's not inserted high enough.

Are you on the pill? If so, you could skip your period by starting a new pack before you take the sugar pills. I've done this when my period fell during a time that was less than convenient. Your pharmacy/insurance will issue a new pack of pills if you ask them to.

I whole heartedly agree with the other ladies. Your tampon isn't in far enough. You have to put it really far in. Well, it's not really that far, it just feel like it. I prefer a plastic applicator as opposed to a cardboard applicator. They are much more comfortable to insert.
As far as taking it out, if it's not inserted properly it's going to hurt when you pull it out. If I'm at the end of my period or my flow is light and the tampon is dry, I try to urinate a little and push it out. It's kind of gross, but it really helps with the sticking.
The tampons should come with an instructional pamphlet that tells you how to properly insert the tampon. Once it's in properly, you won't feel it at all.
I'm non nearly as brave as Marda! I do notice that my flow is lighter if I'm in the water, but I'm not brave enough to take that chance, especially in a public pool!

I get that kind of pain when the tampon is not inserted far enough. You sound like you've been so timid about it, that this may be your problem. Try to insert it farther, and you'll be suprised.

You can use a little ky jelly or similar lubricant on the end of the tampon to help get it in more easily. A plastic applicator may go in more easily than a cardboard one but you may need to experiment with brands a bit (get a few small packs). Also, use the smallest size for the flow you have. Lite or slender regular are the smallest sizes. If the tampon is not very full it will stick more ( and possibly hurt a bit to remove) because it is dry. It is a bit easier to get one out when your flow is heavier and the tampon is more full. I usually take a break from tampons for part of the day (each 24 hour day).

The part about the pinching if it is not in far enough is true. All the way in for me the applicator is so far up I am holding it with just enough room for my finger tips at the end and the inside part is pushed all the way in, completely inside the outer part. I know that is graphic, but there is more to it than on the package instructions!

its either not in far enough or its not straight. when you insert it (when your fingers touch skin) and you pull the applicator out give the strings a could light tugs to ensure that its straight.

When I've had that problem, it's been because I've not had the tampon in all the way and needed a little lube. I was dry and could not get it to go all the way to its "spot". Then, when you get into the water without having it in all the way, and it gets wet, making it uncomfortable to have in and rough to get out.

It may be that it isn't inserted high enough or that the type of tampon you are using is not right for you. I am not a fan of tampax, platex and ob because these tampons expand lengthwise and this causes some of it to stick out at times and bother me. The best tampon I have found that expands in width with your flow is kotex brand and this is so much more comfortable for me to wear.
Good luck.

I don't typically use tampons either, but when I do, I use "slender" and you have to make sure it's high enough inside you.

Since you asked what else you can do, you could try a Menstrual Cup as an alternative ( http://bit.ly/eKZ7Ey or http://bit.ly/eMmC4C ). Here's a testimonial, "How a Cup Changed my Life:" http://bit.ly/dHSHTe

use ob slender. no applicator means you use your finger to insert it, you will then know when its in right

Try the ob brand. They are shorter than the others. I've been using them for years and swim and do water sports often. They are much more comfortable than other brands.

If it's "pinching" that only happens to me if I don't have it in high enough, and when I have to take it out to put a new one in, it does hurt. I would try buying a compact one, they seem to be made smaller and might fit your body better, or ones that are made for teens ( I think there is a special kind?) If you are using ones with an applicator, try to push that in/up before you put the tampon in that well help get it in high enough to not hurt.

You will not have a flow while you're in the water. Depending on how far the pool is from the dressing room and how heavy your flow is you could skip using a pad or a tampon. I've done that on light days. Immediately go to the dressing room when getting out of the water. I took a towel with me to the pool's edge so that I could cover up any SLOW drainage.

I do agree that if the tampon is uncomfortable you don't have it inserted high enough. I preferred the OB ones because they don't have an applicator and I could feel when it was past the muscular constriction just behind the opening. OB ones are very small which also helps.

It is important to be relaxed both when inserting and removing a tampon. Don't try to force it. Take several deep breaths and try to relax. This might be difficult because you and your body are remembering the pain but it's important to find a way to relax.

I don't know if the instructions say to do this but I found it helped if I stood up and put one foot on top of the toilet or tub edge. This seemed to open things up a bit.

I also suggest that it may hurt when you take it out because it's not been in long enough to absorb moisture. IF it's still dry when you want to take it out, I suggest you didn't need it in the first place. As I said earlier, we don't have a flow while in water.

I read this post the other day, thinking it might benefit me, since I've never been a big fan of tampons (uncomfortable/messy/leakage/landfill), so I thought I'd give menstrual cups a try. I ran out and got a box of Instead, and HATED them because they didn't fit me well (and didn't work as a result). I was somewhat discouraged.

Caroline was so enthused about the Diva cup, I decided to give it a shot. There were some great demos on youtube on how to use them, and though it took a couple of days to trust and get comfortable with it (I had to cut the stem off, because it was irritating), I am SOLD. I truly can't feel it when it's in, the only mess is twice a day when I need to empty it (and I'm sure it will be less messy as I get more experienced), I've had NO issues with leakage, and now the only thing I'll be adding to the landfill each month, is a couple of pantiliners for peace of mind and to catch any rogue drips from when I change it.

Ladies, you HAVE to try this thing!!!