Fever of 102 degrees Fahrenheit (38. 89 degrees Celsius) or more Vomiting Diarrhea Muscle aches A sunburn-like rash with peeling skin, especially on the palms and soles Dizziness, light-headedness, or mental confusion Pale, clammy skin (signalling a drop in blood pressure)
Menstrual cups are inserted similarly to how tampons without applicators are inserted (i. e. with your fingers). You can wear a menstrual cup for 12 hours — much longer than the 4 to 8 hours common for tampons. Downsides: it can take time to find a cup that fits you and your flow, and removal can be tricky – particularly if you’re in public, as you may have to wash out the cup in the restroom sink before re-inserting it.
Some manufacturers offer multi-packs that contain light and normal tampons, or normal and super, or even light, normal and super. Only use tampons once you are already bleeding. Do not insert them in anticipation of your period or to absorb anything else. TSS is more likely to occur when super-absorbent tampons are used. [3] X Research source
Standing upright, place one leg up on a chair (the toilet is also fine). Holding a hand-held or compact mirror in your dominant hand, move it down between your legs so that you can see your private area. With your non-dominant hand, gently spread your labia (the fleshy folds around your vaginal opening). Depending on the size of your labia, you may need to pull them a bit to be able to see your vagina and urethra. If you do need to pull them, be very gentle as they are made up of a sensitive membrane and could tear if pulled apart too roughly. Continuing to hold the labia open, move the mirror so that you can clearly see the area beneath the folds. You should now see a slit with a small hole above it. The small hole is your urethra; the slit is your vaginal opening.
Don’t force your finger to stay straight; let it move with the natural curve of your vagina. You may find it helpful to place a small drop of water-based lubricant on your finger before-hand. Be extra-gentle if you have long nails, as they could scratch the delicate skin of your genital area.
One such condition that causes pain in and around the vagina is called vulvodynia.
Go slow and pay attention to your body. If you simply cannot insert the tampon, don’t force it. Use a sanitary napkin instead and then try again tomorrow. Don’t beat yourself up; most women take some time to get comfortable with using tampons.
If you must place the tampon down before inserting it, ensure that you place it on a clean surface.
Sitting on the toilet with your legs apart during insertion may be preferable to you in public places. To place one foot up on the toilet may require you to remove your pants completely from one leg in a small stall with a potentially dirty floor.
If you’re using a tampon without an applicator, the insertion process is almost the same, except your finger is the applicator. Hold the tampon with your thumb and middle finger at its base (on the side with the string). You might find it useful to put a bit of water-based lubricant on the tip of the tampon; this will help it slide into your vagina more easily.
If you have trouble getting the applicator into your vagina, try twisting it gently as you push it upwards into your vaginal opening. If you’re using a tampon without an applicator, you’ll place the tip of the tampon into your vaginal opening while holding the base of the tampon with your thumb and middle finger.
For a tampon without an applicator, you’ll use your pointer finger to push on the base of the tampon, guiding it up and through your vaginal opening. Your finger will follow the tampon into your vagina, until the tampon no longer moves forward. Once the tampon is past your vaginal opening, you might find it helpful to switch to your middle finger since it is longer and at a more advantageous angle on your hand.
If it feels as though the applicator is still holding the tampon, wiggle it gently as you pull it out of your vagina. This should help release the tampon from the applicator.
If you feel a wetness in your underwear, it’s likely your tampon leaking. To prevent any stains or leaks to your outer clothing, it’s a good idea to wear a pantyliner (a small, thin pad) in combination with your tampon. While sitting on the toilet, give the string a light tug. If the tampon moves or begins to slide out of you, it’s ready to be changed. You may find that your tampon is even sliding out slightly on its own; this is another sign that it’s ready to be changed. If there’s blood on the tampon string, this is a sign that the tampon is saturated and needs to be changed.
Sitting on the toilet while pulling out the tampon string ensures that any blood that comes out with the tampon will fall into the toilet, instead of on your clothes or on the floor.
Gently pull the string while bearing down as if you’re having a bowel movement. [7] X Research source Wiggling the string while bearing down should help the tampon move at least slightly down the vaginal canal. Once the tampon is close enough to your vaginal opening that you can grab it with your fingers, gently and slowly wiggle the tampon from side to side with your fingers as you pull downward on it. If you’re really struggling to get the tampon out, you might consider using a vaginal douche (also called a feminine wash). A vaginal douche will spray water up into your vagina, wetting and softening the tampon, and making it easier to pull out. If you choose this method, be sure to follow the instructions on the packaging if you purchase a douche kit from the drugstore. If you use a homemade douche, ensure that you’re using sterilized water. If you can’t find the tampon, insert your finger into your vagina and move it around the walls in a circular motion. If you feel the tampon string, you can insert another finger and grab the string between both fingers and ease the tampon out. [8] X Research source Don’t be embarrassed to see a doctor if you can’t find the tampon and/or can’t seem to get it out of your vagina.
If you’re in a public restroom, there will likely be a bin specifically labelled for the disposal of tampons and sanitary napkins. Placing your tampons and sanitary napkins into these receptacles is the safest method for disposing of them.
