How to Use a Tampon Correctly
For some women, menstruation is a painful and discomforting experience. Using a tampon can, to an extent, relieve the discomfort felt when wearing a sanitary pad. A tampon is a cylinder-shaped, compressed cotton wool roll that is inserted in the vagina during a period. It absorbs blood while it is still inside the body, unlike a sanitary napkin where the blood is absorbed only upon leaving the body. Hence, you can perform any physical activity, including swimming while wearing a tampon. A tampon must be worn correctly during menstruation---follow the guidelines below to gain maximum comfort.
Instructions
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Use a tampon only once your menstrual flow has begun, not prior to menstruating. Tampons are available in various sizes and absorbency levels, ranging from light to super. If your menstrual flow is light, choose a small-sized tampon. The Tampax website recommends that you choose the lowest absorbent tampon in relation to your menstrual flow. As the menstrual flow quantity varies each day, you may need to use tampons of different absorbency levels on different days.
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Clean your hands with soap and water prior to using a tampon, upon inserting it and while ejecting it from your body to avoid a bacterial infection.
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Position yourself in a manner that is comfortable for you before inserting the tampon--- sit, stand, squat or place one leg on the toilet seat or bathtub. Hold the tampon in the hand that you write with, just as you would hold a pencil. Position your finger in the middle area of the tampon, where the small, inner tube is fitted into the large, outer tube. The tampon's string should be visible and positioned away from your body.
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Use your other hand to open the labia, the fold of skin surrounding the vaginal opening, and place the tampon at the entrance of the vaginal opening.
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Push the tampon gently into the vagina, using your index finger to slide it upward as the vagina slopes backward. Stop pushing the tampon when the applicator is completely inside the vagina and your fingers touch your body.
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Use your middle finger and thumb to further push into the vagina, the inner tube with the removal string attached to it, through the applicator. You will not feel the tampon if it is positioned correctly.
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Remove the applicator or outer tube using your thumb and middle finger once the inner tube is comfortably well-positioned inside your vagina. The string should hang outside your vaginal opening. When you have to change the tampon, hold the string and gently pull it downward until the tampon is completely out of your vagina.
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Tips & Warnings
Use small-sized tampons if your menstrual flow is not heavy.
If a tampon needs to be changed within four hours of use, switch to a higher absorbency tampon.
Choose a low-absorbent tampon, if after four to eight hours of use, it reveals white fiber that implies low menstrual flow.
Don't use tampons to absorb vaginal discharge or anything other than your menstrual flow.
Reduce the risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS), a bacterial infection, by changing the tampon every four to six hours and using a sanitary pad at night.
According to the Center for Young Women's Health website, around two percent of women are born with an extremely small hymen opening, which prevents a tampon from being inserted. Consult your doctor if inserting the tampon feels uncomfortable while wearing or is painful during insertion.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit tampon image by Willee Cole from Fotolia.com
