Possibly TMI: using tampons after birth?

[azurely]

So I got my first PP period this morning. I haven't had a period in almost 2 years, thanks to pregnancy and nursing, so I had to dig out my tampons this morning. Happy Friday to me...

Anyway, I put a tampon in before my shower and it felt like it was falling out after my shower. So I put another one in, thinking I just didn't put it in far enough the first time, but nope, that one started sliding down after about an hour too. It also hurt a little putting it in. So now I've given up and I'm wearing a pad :thumbdown:

Is this normal after having a baby, for the tampons not to fit the same? I use Tampax Pearl, if it matters.

[Deleted]

It took a couple pp periods for tampons to feel normal again.

I also had to change brands.

Almost 2 years out pretty much anything is fine again/it's ok but it took awhile.

[Marmee]

I definitely needed the heavy flow (bigger) ones for them to stay in well for a while. Now, 3yrs out of my 4th birth, it's better/fine. It took a while.

[momin2013]

I sometimes find one will slide out a bit after being in for a while and I need to give it a little boost back up there, but it doesn't usually happen right after putting it in.

I would try a different brand. I'm not familiar with Tampax Pearl but maybe they're too...slippery?

[Susie]

I'm still in the fairly immediate postpartum stretch, but this is something my friends have warned me about -- needing bigger and possibly different brand tampons after baby.

[Deleted]

Super and Super Plus fit me better now

IT'S NOT MY FAULT I NOW HAVE A WIDE SET VAGINA.

[nextbigthing]

Tampons bother me more now and I had a c-section, which makes no sense. I use the Super/Super Plus, but honestly I'd almost rather use pads (and I NEVER thought I'd say that). They always feel like they're falling out.

[CloudBee]

They definitely don't fit the same way. I also tend to use supers now. I used to use lights and regulars.

[starlily]

After DD2 I haven't needed bigger tampons, but I do have to use exactly the right absorbancy level otherwise it's way uncomfortable. I have to keep three different boxes on hand now.

[Deleted]

Yes.

I haven't been able to wear them since DS1. Mine didn't always fall out but they were always uncomfortable - I tried going up and down in tampon sizes and same result, painful and they shifted during exercise - running and often Crossfit.

I switched to the Diva Cup and have been pretty happy with it.

[azurely]

Dec 11, 2015 11:54:09 GMT -5 @bunnybean said:

Try Tampax Sport. Also, are you hoisting it up there with a leg up on the side of the tub or shower? I definitely have to make sure I've contorted my body to get it in properly, but now they fit well enough. I've never had a ton of luck with tampons, but I think finally at 32 after 20 years of period and a baby, I may have mastered them? LOL.

Yeah, I always put my leg up on the toilet to put them in, but it just felt different today. Like, before I felt like it just slid up into its spot and stayed there, but now it feels different, like everything is moved around so the tampon doesn't know where to sit.

I'll buy a box of Tampax Sport and give them a try. I did use the super ones, but maybe I need super plus now.

On the plus side, no cramps or discomfort with this period and it's pretty light so far. Day 1 used to always be super heavy with bad cramps, so that's a nice change.

[jeaniebueller]

The only ones I can use now are the old school cardboard applicator ones. Because I think they open quicker than the plastic applicator ones. And I uh, hold the applicator up there longer to make sure it has completely opened up.

[Deleted]

Just last month I was able to wear a tampon and have it feel normal. I got my period back when the girls were 10 montha and they are now almost 21 months. I also weaned them recently so I'm not sure if that played a role.

They always felt off, and like they were positioned wrong. I ended up wearing pads most of the time.

[meij]

I used to use Tampax Pearl and had the same problem after DS. They would feel so uncomfortable and felt like they were going work their way out almost? It was not good.

Anyway I switched to Playtex and it's been fine. I think the Pearls just don't fit me anymore. I'd buy a small box of another brand and see if it's better.

[luv2rn4fun]

I haven't had much trouble with Ramona but I do realize eveything is different up there (mainly during sex), and I had a c/s.

My PP periods have been surprisingly much lighter. Not sure if it's because I'm BFing still but I'll take it.

[motzie]

Thank you for this post. I thought it was just me. The other day tampons were like flipping over inside me some how. Like when I went to pull them out they were upside down. Sorry, TMI, but wtf?

[Deleted]

Dec 11, 2015 12:00:21 GMT -5 nextbigthing said:

Tampons bother me more now and I had a c-section, which makes no sense. I use the Super/Super Plus, but honestly I'd almost rather use pads (and I NEVER thought I'd say that). They always feel like they're falling out.

Even if you had a c-section your pelvic floor and vaginal canal will change from pregnancy and the weight of the uterus, stretching of ligaments, etc.

There was a link a few days ago about the length of recovery from labor and pregnancy. It can be much longer than the 6 weeks we like to think of. I know for myself my recovery with DS2 was a long road, over a year and with DS3 I felt great before six weeks.

Nice to hear from @awinter that she was eventually able to wear tampons. I think I am Diva Cup to menopause!

[Deleted]

TMI, but I can pretty much push out a regular sized tampon like i'm giving birth. It slides down so far on its own already.

I should really start doing Kegels regularly.

[Deleted]

@bandwife, I actually tried two different menstrual cups and they didn't work either. Last month I just randomly tried a tampon again because I was so tired of pads and fighting with the cups and it worked. I'm going to try my menstrual cups again this cycle because I do prefer them to tampons. If that doesn't work I'm buying those underwear that rikki posted about the other day.

[thebreakfastclub]

I had no change to the way they fit or anything about my period.

[mae141]

I have a friend that used to make fun of my tiny tampons. She would joke that she needed like 5 of them at I time. I understand now.

[ijack]

They don't fit me now either, and it's not a width thing or anything, it's almost like there's an extra turn up there or something. It's really weird.

[sent]

I also had a c-section. Things are definitely shifted there even though no baby traveled the canal. But I've wound up needing lighter absorbency now. I don't even buy the super plus ones anymore, just some super and then regulars.

[Deleted]

Sigh. This is good to know.

[Deleted]

They were uncomfortable so I switched to a diva cup. That thing is awesome!

[sju1982]

How have a never heard about this? I'm already my first PP, and now, even more so.

[MadamePresident]

I'm a big fan of the diva cup.

[londoncalling]

I went to the diva cup. Tampons hurt to insert and I couldn't get comfortable when they were in. I had never had issues before kids.

[sparty04]

Mine go in sideways now. Doesn't really bother me but it makes me sad typing it.

[browneyedgirl9]

The first month or two they bothered me. Now it feels normal again.