Teaching DD to use tampons

[cajunmom]

This reminds me, maybe I should ask DD1 if she's interested in trying tampons. She's been using pads since she started last year and hasn't asked about tampons but she's not one to take the initiative.

[FastHands]

I had talked with my mom about periods and said I'd NEVER EVER use tampons OMGGROSS. And then I got my period like 22h before we were going to leave for our 14h trip to my grandparents' house, with my dad who does NOT like to make stops, lol, and I didn't want him to know about my period.. So I asked for tampons so I could double up.

ETA: I didn't want to talk specifics/anatomy with her, so I just read the insert. I distinctly remember chickening out a couple of times and coming into the kitchen with questions, lol. It took a good 30-45min before I had the guts and the technique to get it right.

[pooh8402]

I remember the insert that came in the box helped somewhat. And I asked my mom questions where I couldn't figure it out from the insert. I was also older, 15y10m, so I was way past ready to learn this stuff and past being embarrassed.

[amandakisser]

My mom told me I wasn't allowed to use tampons because I wouldn't be a virgin anymore (yeah, really) so I had to figure it out myself.

Make sure you tell her to relax, because I was SO tense the first time I tried (at like 14 or 15 maybe?) that NOTHING could have gotten in there LOL. I tried again a few years later, when I was 17, and had zero issues and never looked back.

[clairedunphy]

I was 13 before I got my period and maybe 14 when I used tampons. I had to beg my mom to buy them (she thought they were dangerous) and she certainly didn't help me. I just read the insert. The visual helped. I think I did put my foot up first but the most important thing is to relax.

[IrishBelle]

Thank you for all the suggestions.

DD tried last night but wasn't successful so I told her not to worry about it and that she could try again in the morning. She had the house to herself this morning once I left for work so she tried again. She got it in but said it was uncomfortable. I encouraged her to leave it in for a bit to see if she just needed to get used to the feeling. Hopefully she has the hang of it. She really doesn't want to miss out on swimming this week.

[IrishBelle]

I should add that I ended up going back to the store and got a slimmer pack. I couldn't find anything that said teen on it. The Tampax instruction sheet did give step by step instructions but the pictures were teeny.

[shinyredsmartazz]

For the uncomfortable feeling, I have a weird tip to offer that works for me. After I use the applicator, I actually....well, let's just say it, reach in and manually push it a bit further up, similar to what you would have to do with one without an applicator. It works wonders for me in getting it in the right place because I never seem to be able to do so with just the applicator.

Sorry if that's weird coming from a relative lurker.

[Raggedeannie]

Jul 4, 2017 21:51:33 GMT -5 @fs said:

Jul 4, 2017 21:46:32 GMT -5 sugarbear said:

I only had my dad, so...

I used the instructions in the box and called a friend for moral support. Also, I've never heard of this foot on the toilet thing. What's that about? Do all of you still put your tampons in that way?

Sometimes after a shower but not usually.

How do you, er, make space otherwise? Squat?

[IrishBelle]

Jul 5, 2017 10:48:25 GMT -5 shinyredsmartazz said:

For the uncomfortable feeling, I have a weird tip to offer that works for me. After I use the applicator, I actually....well, let's just say it, reach in and manually push it a bit further up, similar to what you would have to do with one without an applicator. It works wonders for me in getting it in the right place because I never seem to be able to do so with just the applicator.

Sorry if that's weird coming from a relative lurker.

Thanks for the tip. I will suggest that to her.

[IrishBelle]

Jul 5, 2017 11:08:26 GMT -5 Raggedeannie said:

Jul 4, 2017 21:51:33 GMT -5 @fs said:

Sometimes after a shower but not usually.

How do you, er, make space otherwise? Squat?

I sort of squat over the toilet.

[wambam]

This seems like an appropriate place to confess that I cannot insert a tampon one-handed.

[ThirdandLong]

It's interesting how many people put their foot on the toilet. I have never done that in my entire life. I think I'm too clumsy to try.

I exclusively wear tampons and have done so since day one. I prefer OB and always have, though I have tried other brands. No one 'showed' me how. I read the box insert, and we had had a little class at school for the girls where the school nurse talked about using them.

I like that OB has so little trash just a tiny clear plastic wrapper, and when they are used up, you just flush them, which is easy peasy. Tell her to place the end at the right spot and push it in up to her knuckle with the string-side down so she call pull it back out. Also, tell her to change it about every two hours while her flow is heavy just to be on the safe side.

[cleo29]

1) use regular or slim fit tampons.2) please let her know that these will not be completely leak proof. IF they are filled with blood and then water gets up there, well stuff can come back out since it cannot be absorbed. I still don't really swim with my period, especially if it s day one or two, my heaviest.

[cleo29]

Jul 5, 2017 11:38:38 GMT -5 ThirdandLong said:

It's interesting how many people put their foot on the toilet. I have never done that in my entire life. I think I'm too clumsy to try.

I exclusively wear tampons and have done so since day one. I prefer OB and always have, though I have tried other brands. No one 'showed' me how. I read the box insert, and we had had a little class at school for the girls where the school nurse talked about using them.

I like that OB has so little trash just a tiny clear plastic wrapper, and when they are used up, you just flush them, which is easy peasy. Tell her to place the end at the right spot and push it in up to her knuckle with the string-side down so she call pull it back out. Also, tell her to change it about every two hours while her flow is heavy just to be on the safe side.

You should be careful about flushing. I always used to until I caused a clog with them. Now I just trash them for fear of causing another back up, especially in places with older plumbing.

[googled]

Jul 4, 2017 18:10:24 GMT -5 aeg511 said:

Jul 4, 2017 15:58:15 GMT -5 Ohhmm(bligo) said:

I was wondering how you would use a bottle of wine to teach how to insert a tampon. Lol

loooool I totally thought this at first too and I was like...what?! My brain's a little foggy today.

[Shreddingbetty]

My mom discouraged me from using tampons (i started at 11) because ewwww, you had to put your foot on the toilet and then shove it up there......my sister was long gone at that point because she is almost 9 years older than me but I did know she always used OB. When I moved to the US at 17 that's when I started using tampons and I have lady's used OB be use I hate applicators and it's easy to do it without one, the first time I didn't push it is far enough either and it was uncomfortable but then I got the hang of it. This is well before internet so I just read the instructions.
I have never had problems in the pool with it. I wish I had started using them much earlier. I had really heavy periods as a teen and back in the dinosaur days the pads were pretty thick and uncomfortable and probably visible as a bulge as well...
A year ago I switched to the cup and man I wish I would have done that so much sooner. But it takes a fair amount of comfort level with sticking your fingers in your vagina and I imagine a kid isn't gonna be comfortable doing that. I'm fairly certain I wouldn't have done that as a teen. But I will never use a tampon or pad again

[thebreakfastclub]

I have a light period and I use Lite Tampax Pearl tampons.

They have detailed instructions and a "first time" section too.

[circa1978]

I wish I would have read the instructions because I too inserted the whole damn thing. My mom never even mentioned tampons as an option to me because apparently, they can "ruin your virginity," LOL. I had to buy and figure them out for myself.

I must also have a wideset vagina because I don't do the stepping on a toilet thing. It works just fine if I'm just sitting.

[wambam]

Thinking about everyone being told tampons would "take their virginity" is giving me a giant rage boner. Like, I am weirdly upset about this.

[sparrowsong]

As a beginner I thought applicators were much easier, and the plastic applicators easier than the paper ones. I don't use those now, because I think it's unnecessary waste, but as a beginner, yes.

[readyin07]

Jul 6, 2017 9:22:40 GMT -5 wambam said:

Thinking about everyone being told tampons would "take their virginity" is giving me a giant rage boner. Like, I am weirdly upset about this.

Me too! I am sure all these moms are lovely but OMG at a tampon taking your virginity. Yikes.

[Deleted]

Jul 6, 2017 9:19:15 GMT -5 circa1978 said:

I must also have a wideset vagina because I don't do the stepping on a toilet thing. It works just fine if I'm just sitting.

[liverandonions]

I don't do the foot on toilet thing either and I don't use one hand. Didn't know people could do that LOL. I use playtex sport because the applicator seems to be much easier to use and they open differently than regular playtex (why?) so they are more absorbent imo.

[bab]

While we are at it...how are you handling the summer bikini line maintenance with your 12ish year olds...asking for a friend

[polarbearfans]

If it is uncomfortable it may not be in correctly or too high an absorbency. She may need to angle the applicator a little differently to get it in right or maybe a little higher.

[Saint Monica]

Jul 5, 2017 11:35:03 GMT -5 wambam said:

 one-handed.

Have you tried different brands? 

I have questions that I do not want the answer to.

I'm also mildly impressed for whatever reason.

[wambam]

Jul 6, 2017 21:33:02 GMT -5 Saint Monica said:

Jul 5, 2017 11:35:03 GMT -5 wambam said:

 one-handed.

Have you tried different brands? 

I have questions that I do not want the answer to.

I'm also mildly impressed for whatever reason.

*shrug* It doesn't bother me, so I'm not exactly out there looking for solutions haha. I think I have limited dexterity or something because I cannot for the life of me hold the application and push the thing in with just one hand.