posted
I'm 19... I've had my period since I was 11 and I've never tried to wear tampons before. My mom for some reason, is kind of against it, although all she wears is tampons. I went looking for a pad today and all we had was tampons, so I had to go digging through my bags to find the pads I had brought back from university. A couple years ago, my friend got me to put her tampons in my purse. Well, I forgot about them, and mom found them when she decided to "clean out my purses". I had condoms in my purse as well, and she made a bigger deal about me having tampons than me having condoms. "So, you're wearing THEM now???"
Needless to say... well... I am scared stiff to try them. I was going to try them this morning, but there was no instructions in the box, so I got kind of scared.
So if I'm going to go out and buy tampons... where do I start? There are like a gazillion different kinds and sizes, so how do I know what kind is right for me? I'm on the pill, so my period is lighter and thicker than it usually is, but that's all I could tell you.
Thank you.
Posts: 80 | From: Canada's East Coast | Registered: Jun 2006
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posted
First of all, you're an adult now. It shouldn't matter whether or not your mother is for or against your use of tampons-- you can use what you like.
There's really no need to be scared of tampons-- many women use them. When you are buying them, you're going to see different absorbency and different applicator types. I would suggest that you get Regular absorbency tampons, because it is not healthy to use a higher absorbency than you need-- it increases your risk of TSS, (which you can read about on the insert that comes in all boxes.)
There are tampons with cardboard applicators and ones with plastic applicators, (Tampax Pearl is a common brand.) There are also some without applicators at all, I believe, but you're more likely to find the former in your grocery store. Personally, I find it easier to use plastic applicators.
On the box of tampons, it will tell you how to apply them. It's easiest if you squat or put one leg up on a higher surface. It may take a few tries to get it in right, (and you'll know if it's in wrong because it will be pretty uncomfortable-- otherwise, you probably won't feel them inside.)
(Also, a favorite around Scarleteen are these little things called DivaCup that are inserted and contain your menses. They are reusable and better for the environment than tampons, but they may be a little trickier for you. Just a suggestion if you want to look into that, too.)
"A wise man should consider that health is the greatest of human blessings, and learn how by his own thought to derive benefit from his illnesses." -Hippocrates Posts: 755 | From: United States | Registered: Nov 2007
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