Important: This article is for informational purposes only. Please read our full disclaimer for more details.
Going through your monthly periods is already an exhausting and painful task and the only thing that we like to focus on during our period week is to be as comfortable as possible. Everybody has their own preferences when it comes to using a pad or a tampon while menstruating.
Both these products have their own pros and cons and it all depends upon an individual’s personal choice. Now there might be some of you who have always wanted to try the tampon but never could. There might have been a number of reasons running through your mind like – is it safe, is it better than a pad, how to use it, etc. But I am sure that the foremost question is definitely about how to put in a tampon for the the first time without any pain. So, today we are going to answer this for you.
Let’s start with the basics.
What Is A Tampon?
Tampon is a cylinder-shaped product which is used to absorb your menstrual flow. Made out of soft cotton, a tampon is inserted in your female genitalia’s opening. Tampons are available at most of the pharmacies and they usually come in different absorbencies and sizes.
What Size Should A First Timer Buy?
Since you are a newbie at this, it would be best for you to buy the ‘slender size’. This is perfect when you have moderate to heavy menstrual flow as it is easier to insert this tampon.
How To Make Your First Time Painless
Trying out anything the first time makes you feel all jittery and nervous and that is how you would feel while trying out a tampon for the first time. However, we have some tips and tricks for you which can make your first experience a painless one.
- The first step is to buy the right tampon depending upon your flow. If you usually have a light to normal flow, then you should not opt for the super-absorbent tampons. You should use it only if your flow is very heavy. Try to buy packs which have different absorbent tampons in it, so that you can use the correct one accordingly.
- The next step is to understand your anatomy. If you do not have a clear idea of where the tampon has to be inserted, then you will definitely have to endure unnecessary pain and discomfort. Your tampon should be inserted in your female genitalia opening. Here is a quick way to find your female genitalia opening:
- Stand straight and place one of your legs on a chair
- Now take a small mirror and hold it in such a way that you can see your private parts.
- With the other hand you will have to gently spread the labia which are the fleshy folds around your female genitalia opening. Make sure you do it gently as it is quite sensitive and can be harmed if you are too rough and tough.
- Keeping the labia open, position the mirror in such a way that the area under the folds is clearly visible to you.
- You will see a small hole which is the urethra and below that will be a split which is your female genitalia opening.
- Remember how we ignore the small booklet of information that accompanies different products? Well in this case you better not ignore it! Please make sure that you read through those instructions to have a better understanding of the tampons. These booklets also come with illustrations which you can refer.
- Now that you have read the instructions, it’s time for you to relax. Yes, you heard us right! You need to relax your body completely and ensure that you don’t clench your muscles as it can make the entire process of inserting a tampon quite difficult.
- Wash your hands thoroughly and dry them completely before taking out the tampon from the package. Do not drop or place the tampon on any dirty surface.
- You can either use a tampon with a built-in applicator or a non-applicator tampon. Your position while inserting a tampon is very important, so ensure you opt for the most comfortable position. You can either do it while sitting down on the toilet with your legs apart or you can stand with one leg on top of the toilet seat.
- Once your are in your comfortable position, gently spread your labia so that you can place the tampon at your female genitalia opening.
- If you are using an applicator, hold the tampon in such a way that your index finger is at the applicator’s end and your thumb and middle finger are at the center of the tampon. In a non-applicator, your finger will replace the applicator. For the tampon to slide in easily, you can use a water-based lubricant at the tampon’s tip.
- Gently slide in the tampon into your female genitalia opening until your fingertips reach your female genitalia. Try to gently twist the tampon if you are facing any difficulty in inserting it. In an applicator tampon, use your index finger to push the the inner tube into your female genitalia.
- Remove the outer tube once the inner tube is safely inside your female genitalia. Also, ensure that the removal string is visible outside the opening of your female genitalia.
- Once the tampon is inside, you need to check whether it is placed correctly or not. To do this, you need to stand up or walk around a little. The correct insertion will ensure that there is no pain or discomfort, however, if you do feel any kind of discomfort then you will have to push the tampon further inside with the help of your finger.
- Remember to always change your tampon every 4-6 hours so that you don’t develop Toxic shock Syndrome (TSS). To remove the tampon, gently pull on the string which is hanging outside your female genitalia opening.
Though inserting any kind of foreign material in your body results in pain, following these instructions can help in minimizing that pain for you. End of the day, remember that it is all about your comfort and choice. If after numerous attempts also you are unable to bear the pain while using a tampon, then we suggest you stick to using pads.
Best Tampon Brands
Read Also:
- How to Use Boric Acid for BV (Bacterial Vaginosis)
- How to Use Hydrogen Peroxide for Yeast Infection
- Yogurt for Yeast Infection: How Fast Does it Work?
