9 Frequently Asked Questions About Using Tampons Answered By Women’s Health Specialist – Cleveland Clinic

Trying to find out the truth about tampon use can be like playing a bad game of telephone: everyone tells you something a little different, and the information seems to change as it is passed on and repeated.

It’s best to hear from a health care professional to get science-based answers to the truth. Women’s health specialist Sarah Youngblood, CNPIt answers your most pressing questions about using tampons and clears up some common misconceptions you may have heard.

Why is there confusion about tampon use?

There are many reasons why you may be unsure about tampons.

You never learn about them. If you don’t have family members who use tampons or don’t feel like you can ask about them, you probably haven’t learned much about tampons. “If you don’t have people in your family to have these conversations with you, you’re hindered from having the proper knowledge of how to use them,” Youngblood said.

You are insecure about your body. “Not everyone is comfortable in the vagina, and I’m not sure about putting something in, especially if you’re not having sex,” Youngblood said.

You don’t feel comfortable talking about them. The term “private parts” encompasses the emotions many people feel when talking about the reproductive system. For example, maybe your parents didn’t allow questions about tampons or taught you false information about tampons to shut down conversations, such as tampons taking away your virginity (not true!).

Myth #1: Tampons hurt or are uncomfortable.

If tampons were uncomfortable to wear, no one was! “Tampons should definitely not hurt, although you may feel a little uncomfortable when you first insert them,” says Youngblood.

Once you Insert a tampon correctlyHowever, you should not feel it. If you don’t feel good after it’s inside you, a few things can happen:

• It’s at the wrong angle. The most common issue is inserting the tampon at an angle that doesn’t match the natural curve of your vaginal canal. “Take it out and replace it, or just walk around and see if it likes to fix itself,” suggests Youngblood.
• Not all go in. Once you remove the tampon applicator, do not pull the tampon string. This can move the tampon out of place and into an uncomfortable position.
• You’re wearing the wrong type. If you have light flow but are using a very heavy tampon, switch to a night or regular tampon, which should feel more comfortable.
• The applicant is still inside you. If you’re new to wearing tampons, you may not know that the plastic or cardboard tube known as the applicator doesn’t have to stay inside your body.
• You have another health problem. Rarely, as a septate hymen Or Microperforate hymenIt makes you unable to use tampons comfortably.

“Most people shouldn’t feel any pain after the tampon is inserted,” says Youngblood.

Myth #2: Tampons stretch your penis.

This is completely untrue. Using tampons will not “loosen” or cause your vagina to stretch or change shape. Once you remove the tampon, your penis will return to its normal shape and size.

“The natural anatomy of the vagina is very tense,” explains Youngblood. Think about it: an entire baby can go through it, and relatively speaking, a baby’s head and a tampon are vastly different in size!

Myth #3: Tampons break your hymen

This myth is actually related to another myth: that your hymen tears when you have sex. And really, none of these things are true.

yours Hymen It is a layer of tissue that partially covers your vaginal opening. It is flexible and elastic, but over time, it loses its elasticity with daily activity, playing sports, having sex, and yes, using a tampon.

Eventually, everyone’s hymen is lost and she tears up. But with the exception of vaginal injuries, no single action like sex or tampons will break your hymen.

“Using tampons alone won’t cause your hymen to break, but it’s normal to tear eventually, and it’s nothing to worry about or worry about,” Youngblood says.

Myth #4: If you use tampons, you’re not a virgin

This view held by some cultures and religious communities is wrong and untrue. Tampons are only used to control periods, and are in no way related to your sexuality or virginity.

“Using a tampon doesn’t take away your virginity,” Youngblood assures us. “Virginity is related to sexuality.”

Myth #5: Tampons make your cramps worse

Some people swear that tampons make their condition worse Menstrual painBut there is no evidence for this. Cramps are caused by uterine contractions, and tampons don’t go that far into your body. They remain in your vagina, which does not play a role in menstrual pain.

“Nausea is caused when your body releases chemicals called prostaglandins, which cause the muscles in the uterus to contract,” Youngblood explains. “That’s when the uterus sheds its lining and you have your period.” (Prostaglandins may also contribute Menstrual discharge (and especially smelly farts).

Myth #6: If you use a tampon, you’ll get toxic shock syndrome.

Well, here’s the thing: Yes, you can get it Toxic shock syndrome (TSS), a rare but life-threatening condition, from tampons. But they are opportunities if you’re using them right. so true Low

Studies show Leaving the same tampon in for a long time is the most likely way to get this disease, which allows toxins to enter your bloodstream. TSS It was common in the 1980s, but tampon manufacturers have made changes to their products since then, making them less likely. Currently, TSS affects an estimated 1 in 100,000 people.

To avoid TSS, change your tampon regularly. “We recommend putting in a new tampon every four to six hours, and definitely not leaving one in for more than eight hours,” Youngblood says.

Myth #7: Tampons cause yeast infections

As long as you don’t leave your tampons in for more than the recommended amount of time, they shouldn’t be the cause Yeast infection or other bacterial imbalances in your vagina.

Myth #8: Two tampons are better than one.

It is important that you only insert one tampon at a time. The use of two tampons can increase Risk of toxic shock syndrome And Chances are that one of the tampons will get stuck in the upper part of your vaginal canal. (Tampons cannot be lost In your body, but they can Enter from your destination.)

“If you’re worried about heavy menstrual bleeding, switch to a high-absorbency tampon, and if you’re worried about filling that up, you might want to use a pad at the same time,” says Youngblood.

For the most part, though, you shouldn’t soak in a Super-Plus tampon within an hour or two. If your period is that heavyMake an appointment to speak with your gynecologist to discuss your options.

Myth #9: You have to use a tampon to poop

Urine and menstrual blood come out of different holes, so you can definitely screw it up with a tampon. Tampons go into your vaginal opening, but your urine comes out. urethraA hollow tube that connects to your bladder.

Your urethra and vaginal opening are very close to each other, so your tampon string may be a little wet when you peel it off – but it’s nothing to worry about. “Urine is pretty sterile, so getting a little bit on a tampon string doesn’t increase the risk of infection or anything like that,” Youngblood says.

If you want, you can take the opportunity to pull out your tampon and insert a new one, or you can leave it in and simply dry the string when you’re done pooping.

Myth #10: You can’t get inside with a tampon

you can Wear a tampon and take a bowel movement, but when you’re done in the bathroom, it’s probably a good time to take the tampon out and put in a new one.

For starters, Pollution stress It can cause the tampon to come out partially or completely.

“Sometimes the force of a bowel movement can destroy your tampon, just because the fecal and vaginal canals are on top of them,” Youngblood explains.

You may also be at risk of infection. When the urine is clean, Stool (hole) Definitely not. “If you have stool on the cord and leave the tampon inside, bacteria love it coli They can get into the penis and cause a urinary tract infection,” she warns.

If you want to leave your tampon when you throw it away, it’s wise to tuck the tampon string into the folds of your labia so that no stool is formed.

Do you have questions? Ask your health care provider

If you have any questions about tampon use (or any other organ-related question), don’t hesitate to ask your doctor or other health care provider. “We’re invested in educating and empowering you to better understand how to take care of yourself,” Youngblood said.