You can start using tampons as soon as you get your period, which could be as young as 10 for some girls. What matters is your comfort level. Armed with accurate information, choosing whether and when to use a tampon is your personal decision.
Stick to tampons only when you are menstruating properly, i.e., during the days when your flow is on the heavier side. Tampons work best with sufficient amount of moisture. So, switch to pads or panty-liners during the days when your flow is anything but heavy.
Any girl who has her period can use a tampon. Tampons work just as well for girls who are virgins as they do for girls who have had sex. And even though using a tampon can occasionally cause a girl's hymen to stretch or tear, it does not cause a girl to lose her virginity. (Only having sex can do that.)
There is no minimum age for tampon usage. If adolescents want to use tampons, they can usually begin using them as soon as their menstrual cycle starts.
A lot of people think you have to use pads with your first period, but there's no reason why you can't use a tampon if you want. It's your choice! Both pads and tampons are safe, even for your first period.
A tampon may hurt the first time you try to insert it, but it shouldn't be bad. You shouldn't feel it once it's in, so if there still is pain or discomfort, you may not have inserted it correctly. That's okay, like any new skill it may take practice to get it right.
Some girls are born with a very small opening in the hymen, which prevents them from inserting tampons. However, this is true in only about 2% of teens. Others are just nervous the first time inserting a tampon and need practice.
They're made to fit a younger body and suitable for light to heavy period flow. They are called Lil-Lets Teens SmartFit™ tampons and come with or without an applicator. It doesn't matter which type you go for as they both work in the same way once they're inside you. The only difference is how you insert them.
Use a tampon, sponge, or cup while swimming
If you can't or don't want to use a tampon or alternative product like a sponge or menstrual cup, you have a few options. If your flow is light, you can wear absorbent swimwear or a dark-colored suit to prevent stains.
Whether you prefer pads, tampons, or menstrual cups, do your thing. But you should know tampons can make your period last longer. Menstrual blood is designed to flow down (thanks gravity!), and tampons can slow the process.
So the good news is yes, there are ways to help you have a shorter period duration. But we might as well come out and say it now: tampons do NOT shorten your period - quite the contrary actually. And we'll explore more about that as we go along.
Tampons are more likely to leak than pads because they can't always absorb all the blood flow. Pads are better at absorbing blood, making them a good choice for people who are worried about leaks. However, it may mean you have to change them regularly.
The best way to know if your tampon needs changing is to give a light tug on the tampon string, if it starts to pull out easily then it's time to change, if not, it usually means you can leave it a bit longer. Just remember with tampons, 4 hours is about right, and don't leave one in for more than 8 hours.
One of the main reasons why your tampon can feel some obstruction is because your vaginal muscles tend to tense up and stop anything from passing through. While most of the time, that feeling of “hitting a wall” can be helped via pelvic relaxation exercises, sometimes the underlying issue can be a tad bit more serious.
Yes, it's fine to wear a tampon in the bath or shower. If your period is light at the time, you might find that you don't need one for the few minutes that you are in the bath or shower. Most of the time, blood won't leak out.
And since you've asked, I have to tell you—aside from the risk of TSS from tampons—there really is no “healthier” choice. What is important is proper use and comfort. You should change your tampons ever 4-6 hours and pads every 2-4 hours. As for the comfort part, that is really up to you!
While it's generally safe to sleep with a tampon in if you're sleeping for less than eight hours, it's important that you change tampons every eight hours to avoid getting toxic shock syndrome. It's also best to use the lowest absorbency necessary. Call a doctor if you think you may have toxic shock syndrome.
Each brand of tampon is a little different, but most call their smallest tampon “regular,” “light,” or “junior.” When you decide to try tampons for the first time, you may want to buy a couple of different brands to see which ones you prefer.
And, if you've ever found yourself wondering if tampons make menstrual cramps worse, Dr. Melisa Holmes, OB-GYN, shares, “No they don't... tampons have nothing to do with prostaglandin synthesis or the way they're used in the body.” Thank goodness!
A fully saturated light tampon can hold up to 3 milliliters of fluid. A fully saturated super tampon may hold up to 12 milliliters of fluid. A fully saturated regular daytime pad may hold around 5 milliliters of fluid. A fully soaked overnight pad may hold 10 to 15 milliliters of fluid.
Signs. You might have menorrhagia if you: Have a menstrual flow that soaks through one or more pads or tampons every hour for several hours in a row. Need to double up on pads to control your menstrual flow.
You are not putting yourself at risk of any health conditions by free bleeding, so if you prefer to bleed openly, go for it. Be aware that blood-borne diseases, like HIV, can be transmitted via menstrual blood (1).