Tampons - confused!

Ok I'm gonna sound stupid here, but basically I've never used a tampon in my entire life. I've always used pads. So now, I'm hoping to go swimming next week when my period's due and I'm wondering - a few questions:

How do you put a tampon in...? :confused:

And you flush the thing down the loo, don't you?

Could it leak? - is it 100% safe to swim with a tampon in?

And I know there're ones with applicators and ones without - which ones should I buy?

I'm a virgin as well btw so hymen and all is probably intact!

Cheers :smile:

Reply 1

khil

OP

15

Grrr stupid anon option unchecked itself... Ah well :rolleyes:

Reply 2

dh00001

16

follow the instructions in the pack :wink:

dont flush it
its pretty sure not to leak
if youre new to it applicators might be easier. get both, try them and see which you prefere.

how do i know this :rolleyes:

Reply 3

Tailz

9

Applicators are easier if you've never used it. Before you try get a mirror and look down below, youll see two holes, you need to put it in the first one, u use the applicator and just push it as far as itll go but dont do it so far that it hurts, make sure you can see the string so that you can pull it out later and put it in the bin.... dont flush it down the toilet. Itll only leak if you put in the wrong type. You need to buy the right one for how much you bleed, like mini is for when your hardly bleeding and plus is for when your heavily bleeding. You shouldnt need to change it whilst there and it shouldnt leak.

Reply 4

Anonymous #1

13

If you are new to using them, try applicator tampons first as they are a lot easier to put in. Just follow the instructions in the pack. They shouldn't leak if you change them regularly enough. Don't flush them down the loo, it could block it. Wrap them up and throw them away instead.

Reply 5

dita_parlo

11

Well I have always used non applicators, I personally find them easier to insert, but yes it is probably best to buy both and see which works best for you. I always flush them down the toilet, didn't know you weren't supposed to TBH?!?!? Maybe start with buying a multi pack with different absorbancy's to see which is best for you, and it shouldn't leak :smile:

Reply 6

orbelina

It might be easiest for you to use ones that come with an applicator, you might find them easier to insert if you havent used them before, although really you just need to experiment and try a few different types to see which works for you. You can buy 'mini' ones, which are smaller than regular ones so probarbly good to try with the first time.
The pack will contain instructions of how to use them, and as long as you are relaxed it should be fairly straightforeward, but this link may be helpfull: http://www.tampax.eu/en_UK/howtouse.php
I dont think being a virgin will be a problem at all as the hymen may have broken naturally through sport anyway, plus many girls use them from a young age and dont have a problem.
It is safe to swim with a tampon in, and if you change it beforehand shouldnt leak at all.

Reply 7

love_mojitos

2

Buy applicator untill you get used to doing it. It also helps to know how far to push it up as you put your fingers in the middle of the applicator.
Your hymen is prob broken by now but if not it is not painful to break.
You can flush the tampons down the toilet, well I do lol. Just make sure it is the paper not plastic kind.
Might be a good idea to buy a bit and use KY Jelly just to make it go in easier.

P.S. Welcome to the joys of proper santiary care, pads are for babys!!! I love tampons.

Reply 8

Tailz

9

Yeah being a virgin is no problem. I used to swim for staffordshire so i had to use tampons as soon as i started periods at 12 lol.

Reply 9

prettygreeneyes99

9

There is an instruction leaflet that comes with them, Id suggest buying one with an applicator, yes it is 100% safe to swim with one in... and with the leaking thing, I guess its the same with pads, just make your that your using the right one - regular etc and you shouldnt have any problems :smile:

Reply 10

Helenia

20

How do you put a tampon in...? There are instructions with most packs - it's quite easy to do. You either do it sitting down or (apparently some people find this easier) stand with one foot resting on the toilet seat. Find your vaginal opening and pop it in (either using your finger or the applicator).

And you flush the thing down the loo, don't you? Yes, unless there are signs saying not to, in which case, wrap it in some tissue (ick) and put it in the bin.

Could it leak? - is it 100% safe to swim with a tampon in? I can't say 100% but I've done a lot of swimming and it's never leaked. Make sure you have the right absorbency though.

And I know there're ones with applicators and ones without - which ones should I buy? Whichever seem less intimidating to you. I don't really have a preference, so it's whichever ones are on special offer. :redface:

The actual tampons themselves are basically the same, it's just which method of getting them in there you prefer.

I'm a virgin as well btw so hymen and all is probably intact! Well, firstly it may not be (I have no idea when mine broke but it was a long time ago) and secondly you can still use tampons if you are a virgin, although if your hymen is very tough you might have problems getting them in there. I'd advise using smaller ones first to get used to them.

I should say the first couple of times it is a really weird feeling, but once they're in place you can't feel them.

Reply 11

that_time

Here you go!

The one piece of advice I would add from my own experience, is to make sure the applicator is in far enough otherwise the tampon won't go in properly.

Reply 12

--

3

Erm, you shouldn't flush tampons because it can block the toilet or block the sewer.

Reply 13

lasttoiletroll

Yeh the leaflets say you can flush them :smile:

Reply 14

that_time

My tampon box says, you can flush them but this should be avoided where a bin is available. Which is the advice I follow!

Reply 15

khil

OP

15

Cheers everyone :smile:

Lol I must sound so idiotic not knowing this. Ah well, first time for everything :p:

I'll get the applicator ones I think - cheers for the links, it looks okish-ly simple.

Hmm, now, small ones are no doubt easiest to insert, but I worry that my flow may be heavier than that and so would leak when I swim? :confused:

Should I go for medium just to be on the safe side, or small? My period's probably gonna start in the next few days so I imagine it'll be moderate/heavy flow by the time I swim.

Gosh I've never bothered to see how heavy my flow is really... can anyone tell me what constitues as heavy or very heavy in terms of well, ahem, how it fills the pad? (think there's large and XL for tampons too, right?) There have been times when the entire pad's filled when I'm two days or so in and would leak if I didn't change it, but that would've been a few hours by that point. But other than for 2 days or so of my period, the rest of the time it's moderate really.

Reply 16

Tailz

9

Medium should be fine esp as your only going swimming you wont be too long in the water. If you get worried, just go to the loo and change it. You shouldnt need to though.

Reply 17

Helenia

20

If you think you can get medium ones in, it's fine to try, but be aware it might be a bit more difficult. I really doubt you will leak, as most people's flow slows down/stops in cold water anyway.

As for measuring flow, if you're only changing every couple of hours, it's not super-heavy. If you're really paranoid about leakage, put a new one in just before you go swimming and change when you get out.

Reply 18

khil

OP

15

Becky_Sheffield

Buy applicator untill you get used to doing it. It also helps to know how far to push it up as you put your fingers in the middle of the applicator.
Your hymen is prob broken by now but if not it is not painful to break.
You can flush the tampons down the toilet, well I do lol. Just make sure it is the paper not plastic kind.
Might be a good idea to buy a bit and use KY Jelly just to make it go in easier.

P.S. Welcome to the joys of proper santiary care, pads are for babys!!! I love tampons.

Is KY Jelly easy to find...?

Lol well pads are kinda like nappies I guess. It's just the thing my mum taught me when I was 11 and since it's served me well I just hadn't bothered to change from pads to tampons. I have considered it for a few years by now though. I hear it's way more comfortable than pads :smile:

Let's hope so! :biggrin:

Reply 19

Botticello

20

I wouldnt flush them they are likely to block the toilet and cause high embarrassment when the plumber comes! I think non-applicators are easier to put in, cause the edge of the applicator feels horrible when it goes in, its quite hard to describe

Tampons - confused!

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