Tampons? :/

[ChaosControl]

I've never been regular, so I never know when to prepare for my period. I can wear a pad for a couple of days in preparation, but if it's late then I start to get...sore. Pads are generally a nuisance for me - I went to bed with an extra thick one and still bled everywhere :/ I've been dissuaded from using tampons because you have to change them so regularly, and I've heard they can be dangerous if you leave them in too long. Recently my cycle has been very heavy and the pads aren't helping at all. Any advice?

[L'espoir]

I find that it's useful to wear a pad and tampon at the same time when your flow is heavier. As long as you change them every 4-8 hours then you should be fine. There is a small risk of Toxic shock sydrome (TSS) from tampons but this is very rare and if you change them regularly you shouldn't get it

[Justin Bieber]

Instead of wearing a full out pad for preparation, try wearing a liner and simply keep a thick pad with you so you can change once you get your period. It might reduce any irritation. Do you put a sleeping pad on right before bed or a few hours prior? I'd try getting a sleeping pad (the extra long type) with wings on extra absorbency and wear spandex to bed to keep the pad in place. If you want to try wearing a tampon, use the extra-super kind and wear a pad along with it, that way if you can't change it in time, you won't bleed through your clothes Tampons are usually only dangerous when left in for 8+ hours. If you keep one in for about 4-6 hours, you should be just fine.

I'd also consider talking to your doctor about your period. Perhaps starting the birth control pill could help make your period regular and lighter. Definitely a great option.

Hope this helped!

[~CourageousSurvivor~]

Tampons aren't necessarily a bad thing. You have to change them every 4-8 hours (I read the back of the box and it said that). And, to be honest, you almost always know when it is time to change it. I can't explain how you know you just do. So, if you are having this much trouble you could consider tampons. I rarely sleep with a tampon in though because I don't want to worry about it getting left in too long so I can't really help you with the whole sleeping issue because I still have that. When I am on my period I tend to wear my older and more comfortable underwear so that if they get ruined it is not too big of a deal.

Have you tried talking to your mom about using tampons? Another trusted adult or a friend? While it might be an embarassing subject to broach it could help you better understand tampons and get a little more comfortable with the idea of them.

Best of luck,

Jenna

[Stephanie]

I have very difficult, heavy periods and I used to dread them before I began to use tampons. I have to take medication to help with the blood loss still, which is something you too may consider if your periods are becoming hard to deal with, but I've found that tampons have helped equally as much as the medication. There's a much smaller change of leaking and I feel much more comfortable wearing tampons - I can't even tell they're there. Changing them regularly isn't a big deal - you could just change them whenever you need to go to the toilet or more. You have to change pads anyway, so it's not a huge difference as long as you remember to change regularly. I'd give them a go - if you don't like them, you don't have to continue wearing them.

[taylalatbh.]

I'm all for tampons. They're so much easier than pads and they're just less irritating and uncomfortable. Toxic Shock Syndrome is very rare, and my doctor said it mostly only occurs if you leave it in for a few days, but you shouldn't forget about it for that long. As long as you get the right absorbency you should be fine. And if you're that worried then you can wear a pad as well, but you shouldn't really need it if you change the tampons regularly.

Like mentioned above, you could speak to your doctor about going on the pill. This regulates your periods (as well as protects from pregnancy, if you need it), so you know when it's going to come each month so you can prepare yourself.

Take care.

[Magic.]

My ma told both my sisters that I was stupid to use tampons because they can kill you. As said you can get TSS and yes it is serious if you do, but it's also highly unlikely.
You don't need to change that often ... at least every 8 hours, but in the first few days you'll find you need to change a little more than that. Personally I prefer it and find it a lot more hygenic. My periods have always been horribly heavy and I hated pads. Now I would only ever use them at night with a tampon as well.
They're more discreet as well like around school etc you can carry a couple in a small purse to take to the toilets instead of pads having to be in your bag.
Try them out maybe towards the end of a period, when it's lighter and see how you feel, in the end it's a personal preference.

[ChaosControl]

I talked to my mum about it and she's really against tampons; she seems to think if I use one it will kill me. I'd like to give it a go but she does have a point; I'm very forgetful and I'm scared of leaving one in too long. Also, is there any chance it might get...stuck? I know there's a string to take it out, but what if I can't find it?
Some of you have said you use tampons at night - do you have to get up to change it or do you leave it all night? I guess eight hours' sleep with a tampon won't cause TSS, but mum was like "you'll have to get up every 4 hours and take it out, don't use them it's not worth it".

Thanks for your help.

[taylalatbh.]

When I spoke to my doctor about my concerns about using tampons, she said TSS wouldn't occur unless you leave it in there for like 3 days. You shouldn't really forget that it's there, and it's hard to miss the string. It shouldn't really get stuck either, it's made to go up there, and it's gotta come back out! I think your mums being a bit irrational about them, so maybe just try them once to see if you like them. You may be surprised how easy they are to use.

I use them over night, and had no problems. As long as it's put it in just before you sleep, and taken out when you wake up, you should be fine. Strangely, I always wake up in the night when I'm on my period, so I change in then too. But it's fine for the whole night. I think you might have read a few things that have worried you, as well as your mothers concerns, that could have put you off using them anyway.

I say, don't knock it 'til you try it. They may be a life saver for you.

[luvflamingos]

I now use tampons which is a really big deal for me. I wished I had started using them earlier, but I freak out easily. I had many of the same concerns you have- getting suck, string, TSS. I am glad I was able work passed all that though.

[Magic.]

It won't get stuck or have the string break or anything because it's sewn all the way through. As for overnight, 8 hours is fine. If you find your periods are heavy using a "stronger" one or a pad as well.
As for TSS, as said it's rare and unlikely. If you're still worried, here's some info on it: http://www.toxicshock.com/tssfacts/tamponuseandtss.cfm. It's from the official info website they've got a lot on there if you want to know more

[WingedWolf]

I must admit I'm a girl with really heavy flow and I used to have period pains that totally incapacitated me! Tampons actually helped with the pain and were a much cleaner way of dealing with my perods, it didn't seem to matter HOW I positioned my pads, how often I changed it w/e I would still end up bleeding through my underwear. Which is hideously embarrasing as I'm sure we're all aware.
All for wearing liners just before your period as I'm irregular too. It does help prevent that irritation
As for forgetting, you really won't. Just trust me.
And the string falling out or breaking is very unlikely, but alwaysgive them a quick tug to make sure they're properly fixed just in case.
Good Luck!

[noise94]

TSS is extremely rare. Not even worth worrying about. You have to change pads often anyway, so it's not like that's any different. You won't lose the string, and the tampon won't go anywhere because there's nowhere for it to go. I was really worried about using them for the first time but it turned out to be the least stressful period I ever had. They take some getting used to but they're not difficult. You won't get TSS if you leave it in over night. Change it right before you go to bed and straight when you wake up. You could always just a pad at night if you're worried. But really, don't let the risk of TSS stop you from trying them because it's so so rare.

Nobody's forcing you to use tampons though, it's up to you and what you feel comfortable with.

[darkangeljbm]

do not use scented pads and try to get ones that fit your body not just the strait ones also you can take birth control pills to get your self regular and lighter ( that is why i was put on them)

[Nostalgia]

i have left a tampon in over night before, and it didnt do me any harm, as far as i know you can use a tampon at night as long you change it first thing in the morning when you wake up. i prefer pads - though at night they can leak i find using two pads for the first couple of nights like use a night time pad and a normal day time pad. for the first two nights i find that helps. during the day for the first two days i find wearing a night time pad during the day helps for the first two days.

[Imagine]

I have the same issue. My Mom will not give up that tampons can cause cervical cancer, so that's the only reason that i don't wear them.

Good luck in what you decide OP.

[happyfacade]

Tampons having been my saving grace, hahaha. I've never had any problems with forgetting and such, so I really do recommend them. Pads are just bulky and annoying, and I was always worrying about leaking. Tampons are much easier. :P I still use an overnight pad for sleep though.

[Anonymity]

For some reason, using tampons instead of pads seem to alleviate my cramps. It is a bit of a nuissance, though, to have to change them all the time. Like, if I'm at a friend's house I can just suck it up and wear a pad the whole time, but a tampon I have to change. It's so embarrassing to leave that in someone's trash bin. At the same time, though, I feel like if i wear a pad people can, uh, smell me, which is even more mortifying. For a while now I've been thinking of trying out menstrual cups, since they seem to be the best of both worlds, but I just haven't gotten around to buying one.

[ChaosControl]

I get embarrassed with pads because of the leaking, smell etc, and I'm thinking about trying tampons because the responses to this thread have reassured me. But when I think too hard about it they seem quite...I dunno, unnatural? Because they absorb the natural fluids and stuff.

[Imagine]

Originally Posted by handgrenadeheart

I get embarrassed with pads because of the leaking, smell etc, and I'm thinking about trying tampons because the responses to this thread have reassured me. But when I think too hard about it they seem quite...I dunno, unnatural? Because they absorb the natural fluids and stuff.

I agree! I'm pretty afraid to use one.

[elise.o]

^ so am i! :s i hate wearing pads though, it makes me feel really unclean and sometimes uncomfortable :/
I'm just too scared of using a tampon ! :s

[Kitty.]

Tampons aren't at all dangerous and they much easier to use than pads. Change your tampon every 4-8 hours and you will have no issues at all.

Originally Posted by skylight

I have the same issue. My Mom will not give up that tampons can cause cervical cancer, so that's the only reason that i don't wear them.

Good luck in what you decide OP.

Why does your mom think that?
http://cervicalcancer.about.com/od/r.../f/tampons.htm
Show that to your mom.

[darkangeljbm]

this is one good thing about being pregnant no monthly visit. Also you can get birthcontrol that only lets you have 4p's a year and a few things that can end them until you are ready to have kids.

[ChaosControl]

Thanks for this link; it's really useful =]

Originally Posted by Strawberries

http://cervicalcancer.about.com/od/r.../f/tampons.htm

That was one of my concerns: tampons and cervical cancer. I've had nearly all my jabs but I was still scared about the bleaching myths. But now that's been cleared up I'm not as worried about it =]