Why does using tampons hurt?

Question

Whenever I try wearing a tampon, even when I'm pretty sure its in enough, its uncomfortable and feels like its going to come out. Also, last time I tried to put one in, it wouldn't even go, it was like there was no hole. It was clamped shut and wouldn't open. What's wrong with me??? I'm 15 by the way, if that makes a difference...

Answer 1

well im 15 too and that happened to me the first like 20 million times. but  then i when i was at camp i guess i put it in right cuz i didn't feel a thing. so i think you need to put it in farther because i didnt be for and it hurt really really bad. ugh i hated it. so just put it in a little farther.  

Answer 2

Whenever I try wearing a tampon, even when I'm pretty sure it’s in enough, it’s uncomfortable and feels like its going to come out. Also, last time I tried to put one in, it wouldn't even go, it was like there was no hole. It was clamped shut and wouldn't open. What's wrong with me??? I'm 15 by the way, if that makes a difference...

There is nothing wrong with you at all!

Why when something isn’t working would you instantly think it is something wrong with you rather than something wrong with the product? Think about it for a moment, you have this wonderful v****a that can keep itself clean, that is delicate and moist, then you plug it up by thrusting a dry wad of chemical soaked rayon into it, preventing it from staying clean and drying it out. Of course it is going to be uncomfortable and even painful as tampons whole function is to prevent normal vaginal function, tampons are designed to absorb vaginal fluids which means the v****a will dry out becoming ulcerated and split as well as cause irritation and friction on insertion, the tampon expands into the cervix adding to menstrual cramps, the fibres break off into the walls of the v****a and have no give to the muscles of the vaginal walls. Tampons are the most harmful of all menstrual options, known to cause everything from vaginal infections to toxic shock syndrome, increased menstrual cramps to cancer; they are by function unsafe and unhygienic.

Often girls feel discomfort and pain when they try using tampons, I remember I used tampons from my first period at 13 and I didn’t insert my tampon correctly, it hurt so bad it made me feel ill. It was because it wasn’t far enough in, so that may be another reason why it is hurting you. If you are using commercial tampons or organic tampons these are hard so when your vaginal muscles push against the tampon the tampon won’t have any give to it so it will just push back against your vaginal muscles, causing pain. Insertion can be difficult because the tampon is hard and dry so it causes friction against the walls of your v****a.

There was obviously a hole, but did you know that the walls of your v****a do actually clamp shut when you aren’t aroused? The walls of your v****a don’t keep a perfect tunnel shape all the time, when not aroused the walls of the v****a lay together – this is one of the outright amazing things about vagina’s, when aroused there are so many changes to allow for penetration without pain; v****a becomes longer, vaginal becomes wider, vaginal walls move apart, vaginal muscles relax, base of the vaginal canal becomes snug, top of the v****a becomes wider, and v****a becomes lubricated. Basically mother nature made it so that to insert something comfortably it is best to be aroused, the v****a will give you more lubrication and more room, if you are tense such as while stressing about inserting a tampon then the muscles will clamp shut making insertion impossible (this is also why so many girls experience pain during their first time, because they are tense and do not realise that when aroused their v****a becomes a whole different shape).

Point is you were tense, the tampon itself made the situation worse by causing friction against the walls of the v****a, thus making it more difficult to insert. Top tip is always to m********e before inserting anything into your v****a so that muscles are relaxed, vaginal enlarges and self-lubricates – also if need be then use lubricant such as KY jelly or olive oil. Obviously too never ever use tampons when not menstruating, during a light flow or at night when you’re sleeping, also always use lightest possible absorbency, changing to match your flow.

I would suggest you look at information on your body, tampons and the history of tampons, they are very harmful to you particularly given your age as your vaginal walls are more delicate so more prone to damage and your immune system is not as strong as in adults which puts you at higher risk of toxic shock syndrome. I suggest checking out the tampon health web site http://www.spotsite.org

There are much better options available to you; I personally always recommend that if you want to use internal menstrual options that you try menstrual cups as these are 100% safe and hygienic. Menstrual cups are cups that are inserted into your v****a to collect menstrual flow, they can be left in for up to 12 hours without health risks or leaking – this includes before your period is due, light to heavy flow, during sleep and during sports including swimming, thus making them more convenient. They have no health risks, they are far cleaner than tampons, convenient, comfortable, green, cheap, and body-positive, furthermore most brands offer money back guarantees so you have nothing to loose in trying them. I would recommend Ladycup for you as these are smaller and softer than most brands so may be easier for you to insert, but all menstrual cups would be easier than tampons to insert. See these sites for more information http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menstrual_c... or http://www.menstrualcups.org

Take it from someone who used tampons and menstrual cups (as well as pretty much every other menstrual option available) and take it from someone who has been both the inexperienced newbie to menstrual products and an expert on everything menstrual related – avoid tampons like the plague, try menstrual cups.