I'm almost 22 and I just started using tampons for the first time!

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I'm almost 22 and I just started using tampons for the first time!

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Contributor: Nazaress Nazaress
They're making me so nervous. I keep thinking that I'm going to "leak" (even with my panty liner on). I've only had to change it once so far (I LITERALLY just started using them) and it wasn't as bad as I thought. I was so pleased with how much "cleaner" I am than I was with pads. But still, I worry about them. Everyone tells horror stories about them and makes a big to-do about Toxic Shock Syndrome.

Anyone have advice for a new tampon-user? What's the best way to avoid TSS? Did you wear pads before you started wearing tampons? And if so, how was your transition?
12/24/2011
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Contributor: indiglo indiglo
Toxic shock syndrome is not something you'll really need to worry about. Here is some info on it from the Mayo Clinic.

I now use a silicone menstrual cup, but before that I used tampons for years. (And before that, yes I used pads for years too.) I'll tell you a story that should (hopefully) make you feel a little better. I usually used tampons with no applicator, but after my mother had her hysterectomy she gave me all her leftover supplies, which included tampons with a plastic applicator. I used one, and it turns out the tampon inside the applicator was defective. It actually had a loose chunk inside on top of the real tampon. I didn't know that at the time, so inserted it as normal. A couple of days later, the chunk came out. I called the doctor and spoke to the nurse. She said if I didn't feel sick I was fine, and I didn't feel sick in the least. So that chunk of tampon was ok inside me for a couple of days. Hopefully that will make you feel a bit safer, TSS is really rare, and you'll know if you're sick.

Inspect each tampon before you insert it, and change them daily - you'll be just fine. Congrats on using them for the first time!
12/24/2011
Contributor: Nazaress Nazaress
Quote:
Originally posted by indiglo
Toxic shock syndrome is not something you'll really need to worry about. Here is some info on it from the Mayo Clinic.

I now use a silicone menstrual cup, but before that I used tampons for years. (And before that, yes I used pads for ... more
Thank you for the thorough reply! I feel a little better now. I saw a bunch of ladies on here who stopped using tampons because they were afraid of TSS and it made me think it wasn't as rare as I thought it was. But if you managed to go DAYS with a piece inside of you and nothing happened, I'm sure I'll be fine. Nevertheless, I took out the first one probably an hour or so before the "four hour (to eight hour, but obviously I meant the former)" time limit, just to be safe. That, and my periods are usually really heavy, especially when they first start, so I wanted to make sure.

Ha ha. Thanks! I was so sick of wearing pads. I felt like I was wearing a diaper. Plus, believe it or not, I'm allergic to plastic. You can imagine the pain and irritation that pads caused me "down there". It always hurt SO bad to wear them but I was so afraid of tampons that I just dealt with it. I'm glad I finally changed my mind, though! It's kind of uncomfortable and weird to put them in at first but after that, I don't even really notice them. And thankfully, the plastic applicators don't touch me for long so I don't experience any pain from them.
12/24/2011
Contributor: indiglo indiglo
Ouch! That doesn't sound pleasant at all! They would always make my skin irritated, and I'm not even allergic to plastic. I think it was just having my skin exposed to the menstrual fluid all the time for me.

I sure was shocked (and disgusted) when that chunk came out! I was peeing, and then I was all "WTF???" lol

I was shocked to read on that website that half of all cases of TSS aren't even in menstruating women! It's basically a kind of staph infection that anyone can get. Who knew!?!

Good on you for wearing the panty liner too. That way if you leak a little, you'll be protected. Glad it's allowing you to be more pain free in your tender bits - that must be a real relief!
12/24/2011
Contributor: Nazaress Nazaress
Quote:
Originally posted by indiglo
Ouch! That doesn't sound pleasant at all! They would always make my skin irritated, and I'm not even allergic to plastic. I think it was just having my skin exposed to the menstrual fluid all the time for me.

I sure was shocked ... more
I think that might have been part of it, too, but mostly, I think it was the plastic parts in the pads. I'm insanely sensitive to plastic. I can't talk on the phone for too long, I can NEVER use ear buds because the moment they're in my ears, they burn like fire, and one time when I used protective goggles for science class, one half of my entire face was rashed for days (I never used those goggles again). It's a really crappy allergy. Thankfully, it's only certain plastics, though, and my plastic toys haven't bothered me yet so far.

Ha ha. Yeah. I thought it was best to be safe, especially until I get used to them. I wasn't sure how well they worked. I know I've had plenty of embarrassing experiences with pads so I was prepared for the worst. So far, it's not as bad as I thought it would be. I just have to remember to change them often enough and learn to be less anxious about them.
12/24/2011
Contributor: Love Perpetua Love Perpetua
When I used tampons, I was always super nervous about TSS! I just made sure to use the lowest absorbency possible, and change the every 6-8 hours. I wore pads for years before I switched to tampons, and it was quite a relief - I really hated pads - ugh. You can also get non-applicator or cardboard applicator for tampons if you are allergic to plastic. Less waste also! I use a Lunette menstrual cup now, and I have for a few years, so that's about the extent of what I remember from my tampon days.
12/25/2011
Contributor: Subbi Subbi
Just make sure you change your tampon every few hours and youll have no issues. I've ben using tampons since I started my periods (over 10 years ago) and cannot even wear a pad. It feels like a diaper and your sitting in your own.......stuff......j ust ew lol

Like I said just change your tampon every few hours and youll be fine. I could never use pads after ive used tampons for so long!! lol
12/25/2011
Contributor: spiceboy spiceboy
I was either 21 or 22 when I used tampons for the first time as well! I was going on a month long road trip and didn't want to deal with pads while sleeping in other peoples beds, on couches and floors, or for extended amounts of time in the car. I had recently gotten into regular sex toy use and that gave me the confidence to make the switch. Compared to pads I was very relieved with how easy and convenient it was! I had no accidents and could sleep comfortably in any position. It took barely any getting used to and from what I can remember, I had no bad experiences with them then. Ironically, though, I ended up staying with a divacup user who was on their period at the time of my visit and was so intrigued that (after a little research) I ordered one for myself! I haven't looked back since then.

I only used tampons for a few months total, but I think it was a helpful transition to using a menstrual cup. I would have been more weary of insertion if I'd been coming straight from pads. If you're worried about leaks or having to change often, those problems are virtually erased with use of a cup, at least for my flow. After nearly a year of using the cup I found myself in sudden need of it at work and had nothing but a lone straggling tampon at the bottom of my bag to get me through the day. My tampon experience was much affected by my post-cup mindset and I was extremely uncomfortable that day. I had gotten so used to feeling nothing while wearing my cup that I was very aware of the presence of texture of the tampon, and while it had been an improvement on the irritation and dirty aspects of pads, it seemed gross and unsatisfying to me at that point. Take all the time you need getting comfortable with tampons, but you may want to consider a menstrual cup as a next step!
12/26/2011
Contributor: guard083 guard083
If you change your tampon regurally like the box says which is never leave one in for over 8 hours and do not use them when your period is not heavy enough, you will be just fine
02/09/2012