Tampons

Once you get it in there, just lean forward slightly—and if you feel it catching, go ahead and push a little deeper! 🙂 I guess if you're having any trouble getting it out, it probably just means it isn't quite full yet.

To start with, I’d suggest buying smaller tampons until you get comfortable with the process. Once you figure out the technique, you won't have any trouble using larger sizes either. 😉

So, my friend (she's 18) is having a total nightmare trying to use a tampon.
I’ve been telling her forever how much easier and more practical they are compared to pads—seriously, life-changing stuff. Last month she finally took my advice and grabbed the smallest ones available, but she just can't get it in. It's like... impossible.
I'm not sure if this is even relevant, but she's never actually had sex, so maybe she's just freaking out or subconsciously tense? Or who knows...
Now I'm wondering—is there some other reason why it would be this difficult, or is it strictly because she's "inexperienced"?

I don't think there's any actual reason why it shouldn't work. I mean, I used one back when I was still a teenager and super active with sports, and it worked just fine for me... and I wouldn't exactly call myself "wide." Maybe she's just nervous? It probably feels like it isn't sliding in smoothly, so she might be hesitating to push through. I don't know, that's just my guess, anyway. 🙂 My friend actually tried pushing it in all the way and was just totally confused about why it wasn't going in easier. 🤣

Jamie Robinson4 said:I honestly don't see why it wouldn't work—I used one back when I was still a total novice (doing sports at the time) and it went in just fine... and I’m definitely not "wide." She's probably just scared and won't push it because she feels like it isn't sliding in smoothly... I mean, who knows, that's just my guess 🙂 my friend tried pushing hers in and was totally baffled why it wouldn't go .. 🤣

😂😂
Yeah, that's exactly what I told her—that she needs to give it a bit more of a firm push and that feeling some pain is totally normal, but she keeps complaining about this "resistance" or whatever... honestly, screw it.
She can just keep living life with pads on until she finally gets it together.

lonegardener12 said:I'm not sure if there's any connection here, but since she hasn't been sexually active yet, maybe she's just intimidated by the whole thing... or something else entirely...
Now I'm wondering if there could be some other reason why she can't use a tampon, or if it really is just because she's "inexperienced"...

Honestly, being a virgin probably doesn't have much to do with it... It's more likely she just wasn't relaxed enough when she tried, I don't know... she should probably just give it another shot...🤷

Honestly, I had the exact same struggle when I tried using a tampon for the first time, and let me tell you, I wasn't even a virgin. 😁 It was one of those old-school, basic ones—none of that fancy stuff with the built-in lubricant they sell at CVS now—and since my period was already winding down, I was bone dry. It was a disaster. My best friend was standing there outside the bathroom stall trying to give me some pep talk, but it didn't matter; I just couldn't do it. Seriously, if you're going to try this, start with the smallest size possible. And for the love of God, don't wait until the very last day of your cycle when everything is dry, or you'll be too terrified to even get it halfway in. 😉

m_lady said:😂😂
Ugh, I totally get it. We went through the exact same thing in our house... 😁
But honestly, I don't know. She’s just terrified right now and convinced there's some massive issue going on (even though I know for a fact there isn't—she's just scared it's going to hurt, so she's being stubborn about using them) 🙂 but whatever, I'm not backing down...
I am more than ready for her next period to hit, because then she's finally going to realize how much easier life is with tampons. 👍

Oh, she'll get there. Seriously. She just needs to make sure she doesn't tense up; she's gotta stay relaxed. Tell her to just squat down like she's out camping in the woods trying to find a spot to go, and boom—done!
😉

Look, please don't go badgering your friend into this; if it isn't happening, then it simply isn't happening. I personally found myself in an identical situation back when I was a virgin, where nothing seemed to work regardless of the effort. Technically speaking, I lost my virginity through digital penetration—it was a struggle, a genuine ordeal, and there was enough bleeding to make any bride feel quite certain of her status on her wedding night 😁 however, once actual intercourse finally occurred later on, there was absolutely no blood and no pain whatsoever.

I only managed to successfully engage in intercourse after that initial breakthrough with my fingers, which happened well before any actual sexual intercourse took place.
So, the bottom line is this: if it isn't working, stop pushing. Period. Do not force her. She might attempt it a few more times, but she will only end up deeply traumatized rather than being better off for waiting a little longer.

Furthermore, if the issue isn't merely her being tense, but rather a particularly stubborn hymen similar to what I experienced, I would strongly suggest that you stay available to her (not physically present, of course!) during her first time with her partner. Tell her to take it incredibly slow.

Hey, if I could just jump in here 🙂 I actually just started using tampons this past summer for those exact same reasons, so I guess we’re all pretty much in the same boat 🙂 It definitely doesn't feel super smooth the very first time, but I think every girl out there can tell you that once you get the hang of it, it becomes second nature really fast 😉 I was also totally terrified about how far I'd have to push it in, so I was being so careful and could basically feel everything, but now it’s like, oops, almost a whole thumb's length gone and that's that...

But okay, switching gears for a sec...
I know it might be the opposite for a bunch of people—like they're scared or just straight-up hate the idea of tampons—but honestly, it's not even a big deal to me anymore. EXCEPT! Once I realize it’s time to go change it, I swear I just lose it! It’s not like it's incredibly scary or anything, and it doesn't even hurt that much, but I just have this totally irrational phobia of those little strings! Like, I'll be pulling and pulling to get it out, just praying to God, please don't snap, please don't snap 🙂 I mean, it’s never actually happened to me, obviously, but I was wondering if there's any actual chance that because of the resistance or how deep it is, the string could snap while pulling and leave the tampon stuck halfway? I know the odds are probably like 0.01% or something and I don't even know what my actual fear level is, but that's the only thing that makes the whole tampon situation awkward for me... does anyone else get what I'm saying?

Kisses! :-D

Don't worry, it’s not going to snap on you! Personally, I always give mine a good, hard tug two or three times before I even think about setting it down, just to make sure the thread is actually holding up properly. 😉

I just wanted to share a little victory because, honestly, I had been struggling so much. I’d already wasted two tampons just trying to get them positioned right; every time I realized it wasn't seated correctly—usually because I could actually feel it—I’d get so frustrated that I’d just pull it right back out. So, I decided to try a different approach. I figured the best way was to sit on the toilet and apply pressure from underneath. I kept pushing until it finally slid all the way in and I couldn't feel it anymore. It was such an incredible relief to finally have it placed properly. I will admit, it felt a little awkward and even a bit uncomfortable while I was slowly maneuvering it, but once it was in, all that discomfort was completely forgotten. Fast forward to the next day, and I felt so confident that I actually wore white lace panties and a white sundress for a day out in the city. I was a tiny bit anxious about it, though, since we were sitting at a cafe, so I asked my boyfriend to take a discreet peek just to be sure. And nothing! Absolutely nothing. Even when I got home, there wasn't a single sign or worry, lol. It was like my period didn't even exist. Also, please don't be afraid of the removal process; it's actually quite easy.

Susan Hall43 said:So, just wanted to share my little win. I’ve already wasted two tampons because I kept messing up the placement. Every time I realized it wasn't in right—like, I could actually feel it—I’d get so nervous I'd just yank it out immediately. So, I decided to try something else. I figured sitting on the toilet was probably best, just pushing it up from underneath. I kept pushing and pushing until it finally went all the way in and I couldn't feel it anymore. It was such a relief, honestly, since I actually got it in there. It was a little awkward and kind of hurt while I was slowly maneuvering it, but whatever, it was fine once it was settled. The next day, I even wore white lace panties and a white dress out on the town. I was a bit worried about leaking while we were grabbing coffee, so I asked my boyfriend to take a discreet peek at me, and... NOTHING. Like, zero. Even when I got home, nothing. It was like my period didn't even exist, LOL. And taking it out? Easy. Don't be scared.

I've basically ruined an entire box of tampons😍
I had the exact same issue... I'd feel it, freak out, and pull it right back out.🤣
But now everything is 👍 though, I'm still kinda terrified of the part where you have to take it out... you know, the whole thing where the string might snap or whatever...😁

honestly, I have no idea how I survived all these years without using tampons. I used to think they sounded incredibly uncomfortable—I actually tried them once back in the day, but it was just such an awkward experience, you know? But anyway, I finally bit the bullet recently and decided to give them another shot, and wow... what a difference. It’s such a game changer. I feel so much more comfortable, easier, and honestly way more secure now.

Grace Diaz76 said:Why wouldn't there be Tampax available? Someone mentioned they have them in the US, and since the applicator is built-in, it goes in easily without anything showing.

Since when did we stop having Tampax in the States??

🙏

Angela Morales said:Does anyone know if they carry Tampax at Rite Aid?

🙏

If they have it, I’m going to be so relieved. I’ve had such a miserable summer dealing with those generic brands from CVS—honestly, I almost threw the whole box in the trash because they were so uncomfortable. It's like the manufacturers didn't even test them themselves! I’ve grown quite accustomed to high-quality products like Tampax, and I just can't go back to that level of discomfort.😁

I know I saw Tampax somewhere, but I honestly can't remember where! 🤷

Amanda Alvarez35 said:I spotted some Tampax somewhere, though I can't quite recall the exact spot.🤷

Please let me know if you remember where! It’s such a hassle because whenever I'm visiting family back home, I need supplies, and the selection at the local county hospital is absolutely abysmal—I am never shopping there again.

Honestly, these OBs are killer—even though I switched over to using Jess during the month, they still turned out 👍

Amanda Alvarez35 said:I think I spotted some Tampax somewhere, but I can't quite place the exact spot.🤷

Amazon👍