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OT and REALLY awkward =[

Tampon. I said it.



OK, I'm 17 and have never used one before, never felt the need to, blah blah. I'm a virgin, never had anything 'up there' at all.

Problem, I have a trip to the Bahamas coming up with friends and I just got my period. I don't mind not being able to swim, but I do want to sit on th beach in my bathing suit, so my friend suggested a tampon.

My mom freaked out, telling me that she's a 'married woman and never used one', and I'm going to break my hymen.

Some other things she told me:

1) They cause cancer
2) You're no longer a virgin
3) They get stuck and you can get sick



What's true and what isn't? Thanks so much guys in advance, it's great to know PT is always here to help =)


Thu. Feb 14, 5:19pm

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So totally NOT true. I used to think you would feel like you're being "fingered" all the time, but you don't. Start out with a light day and if that isn't enough for you, go to a regular. I prefer the Tampax Pearls myself, easy to insert.

When you get to day 4 of your period and it's lighter, you can use a product called INSTEAD. It's a femanine cup that you insert in the morning and take out at night. The only time you'll have bleeding is when you urinate. It's not as clean, so to speak, as tampons, but i like it because I don't have to take my purse with me everywhere i go and change it all the time. To take them out, you simply bare down like you were trying to poop, insert fingers and pull it out. they're fabulous! i've been using them for years!


Thursday, February 14, 2008, 5:22 PM

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sorry, one more thing: go on birth control pills 1 week prior to your cycle day 1 (date you should start your period), use them every day during the trip, and when you get back, go off them. No harm done. YAZ is the best birth control pill and we give them to all of our patients. I find them even help with hormone imbalance that cause mood swings and bitchiness.

good luck to you.

Thursday, February 14, 2008, 5:24 PM

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op here

But I definately won't end up 'accidently breaking my virginity' or something, right? I feel stupid for even asking, but it's been freaking me out XD

Thursday, February 14, 2008, 5:26 PM

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Virginity is a condition.
Hymen is the name of the membrane that "proves" virginity - or used to.
A lot of girls don't have the physical evidence of virginity because they're athletic.
Just get a short tampon like OB if it's that important to you.

Thursday, February 14, 2008, 5:30 PM

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I don't think if her Mother is anti-tampon she will be pro-birth control. Please go to the link below. It is from OB tampons and maybe if you show and discuss the information learned there with your Mother you can keep an honest dialogue and you may both get some of the misconceptions out of the way.
No I don't work for OB I am not a doctor but I am a parent to a teenager.

Link

Thursday, February 14, 2008, 5:32 PM

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OP again

Haha, I don't mind if it's not there, I just don't want to accidently physically break it. That sounds painful.

Thursday, February 14, 2008, 5:32 PM

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OP, your virginity has to do with whether or not you have had sexual relations.

Plenty of people break their hymens without losing their virginity. Some people are born without a hymen at all. This bit of membrane has nothing to do with what kind of a person you are.

FWIW, I used tampons starting when I was 17. When I gave up my virginity at 22 there was PLENTY of blood. Apparently tampons hadn't done any damage at all.

Now, do tampons give you infections? Well, they can in rare cases lead to toxic shock syndrome. To avoid this, never use the super-absorbent ones, stick to the ones that are all cotton or cotton/rayon (Tampax pearl is good.) and change your tampon every 2 hours or so -- never leave in overnight.

Thursday, February 14, 2008, 5:33 PM

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The membrane is slightly open, to allow your menstrual flow to exit. It's not a drum! And the "pain" is way overblown in trashy 18th century romance novels...and in the words of mothers trying to scare their daughters away from sex (not saying I think you should run out and have it, I just worry about the impact that the association between sex and pain could have down the line).

Thursday, February 14, 2008, 5:36 PM

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You will not lose your virginity by using tampons. I started using them when I was 13. I was 22 when I became sexually active.

So to start, you may want to set aside some time so you can relax and take some time to figure out how to use tampons.

Tampax Pearls are nice. They are smooth and easy to use for beginners.

Read the instructions that come with the box and take your time. Take the first tampon out of the packaging and push the plunger...that way you will see how the tampon works. Throw it away and get started with a second one.

Relax and insert the tampon into your opening and aim it toward your back. Just go slow and easy. When the bigger part of the applicator is in, push the plunger and gently pull out the applicator. The string will be outside your vaginal opening. Just tuck it into the folds of skin near your opening so it won't get tugged by your underwear or bathing suit.

If the tampon is in right position, it will be comfortable...if it is not fully in your vagina, it will pinch. Just remove it and start again with a new tampon. No harm done.

If you feel dry and uncomfortable learning to use tampons, get a little container of plain KY jelly and use a little on the applicator so you are moist and the tampon slides in comfortably.

You can't lose a tampon inside you. I once had a string break (very rare) and you can gently use your fingers to take the tampon out.

Toxic shock syndrome is rare these days. Tampons have been improved. Just don't leave one on for longer than the instructions recommend. I go longer than 2 hours recommended above and I and I have never had a problem.

I used tampons for all of my years having periods (more than 40 years). I am grateful that they were available because they are great for sports and swimming.

Best of luck to you. Hope you have a wonderful time at the beach.

Thursday, February 14, 2008, 8:53 PM

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Wow, previous poster, what a great, informative post. Im sure this young girls is going to thank you! I typically dont use one and didnt until i was about 22. I was just too tense and afriad it would hurt. And it pinched a bit b/c i never had it all the way in :( Until i took the time and relaxed about the whole ordeal, things went a lot smoother; )
Good luck OP

Thursday, February 14, 2008, 9:09 PM

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I'm 26, I've been using tampons since I was 16. I hate hate hate pads. Most disgusting feeling ever. Tampons- fantastic. You don't feel them.

And I sleep with one. First night, I always have to change it in the middle of the night otherwise there's a mess on the sheets. And I use super plus tampons the first two days, changing them as often as needed, and have left them in for 6-8 hours without any problems at all.

Do not fear the tampon. The tampon is really your friend.

Thursday, February 14, 2008, 9:34 PM

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Oh, and you could totally go swimming with a tampon in- I do it all the time. I swim 5 times a week, and I'm not about to go 4 days without. You simply insert a fresh tampon before the water, then change it once you're out of the water. Just make sure the string is tucked away in your suit ;)

Thursday, February 14, 2008, 9:36 PM

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OP ..again XD

8.53,

YOU ARE AMAZING. That was really a great response, thank you!!!!!!!!

Just one final question guys and I'll leave you all be =P lol How long do the 'regular' tampax pearls usally last? because i know if it's not 'full' there's supposed to be some discomfort putting it out, so yeah, just wondering.

Thursday, February 14, 2008, 10:34 PM

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I use regular absorbancy tampax, I usually can wear one for 4 to 6 hours. It all depends on if I have to pee at those times and if you are flowing heavily. I sleep with one in too. Don't go over 6 to 8 hours though!! That is when they say it is harmfull to yourself to wear one longer. Tampax has a pamplet inside the box that explains toxic shock syndrome and also how to insert and how long you can go with one in. I've been using them since I was 14 and now I'm 26. Tampons are fantastic!!! It will take a little getting used to though, but once you're used to them, the process and the advantages are great.

Thursday, February 14, 2008, 11:21 PM

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ALL Completely untrue. I've used them my entire life (even before I has sex) and my hymen never broke. After I used them and got examined by the doctor, it was still intact. I've never had one stuck before.

Just make sure that you use the correct absorbency for your flow.

I use OB...there's no awkward applicator..it's just the actual tampon...that way you can place it where it's comfortable. There's a picture in the box that explains how to insert it.

I would never wear a pad...might as well wear a diaper. :P

Good luck!

Friday, February 15, 2008, 12:16 AM

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Kinda off topic but someone brought up swimming. I swim also and I seriously am scared of tampons, so I just go into the water without one and it stops when you're in the water..or even just showering if you guys have noticed that.

Friday, February 15, 2008, 2:32 AM

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I have always heard that too about your period stopping when you are in water. I have used tampons since I was 13 and I am now 44. My mother never used them, so I taught myself by reading the booklet in the box. If I broke my hymen with them, I didn't know it. When I got married (as a virgin) at age 20, sex was great. I never had pain. I say go for it and keep trying until you get it right. Once you do, you will be using tampons from then on.

As a mom of three teenagers, I have no problem with my girls using tampons. I want them to be comfortable with their bodies.

Friday, February 15, 2008, 8:17 AM

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The most important thing is to relax !!! I was so scared my first couple of times that i couldn't get it in.

When you pull it out you migyt feel some tugging, especially if your flow has slowed. All the above advice is greeat my only input would be.
1- Absolutly go with a plastic aplicator, I couldn't use OB non aplicator untill years after I started useing tampons.
2 - Try using a lite tampon they are more narrow and easier to insert.
3 - When removing, if you get some tugging, don't freak out, the string will not break and it will not get stuck, just slowly pull.
4 - You will actually tell when it is starting to get full, it will feel like the first day of your period almost like a drip is going to happen.

Good Luck and enjoy the sun.

Friday, February 15, 2008, 8:26 AM

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I think the pill is a great idea. There should be a local pregnancy clinic/teen clinic in your area. Pills are cheap and they will also educate you on how to use tampons, condoms, and explain sex to you. I went to one when I was 16 and I was glad I did. BCP also clear up any acne.

If you're mother is against birth control pills, you still have the right to make that decision on your own.

Friday, February 15, 2008, 10:11 AM

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Just keep in mind that some pills are so low dose that you still might "bleed through" a little during your cycle, even though you're taking it during the week of your period. This happened to me--thankfully I did it a month ahead of time so when vacation actually arrived, my cycle had already shifted by one week and my period wasn't occuring during vacation time!

Friday, February 15, 2008, 2:05 PM

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Oh puh-lease!!! If you're not having sex, you don't need to add synthetic hormones to your body. The pill is a contraceptive- not supposed to be a "stop-your-period-pill".

Going on birth control was the worst mistake I have ever made about what I put in my body. It made me moody, it made me more emotional 24/7 than what I was when I pmsing, and yes, I gained weight. Then, it took me 2 years after going off of it, to get rid of the cramps. I never had cramps before I went on birth control- I had perfect happy periods, but then went on the pill, and once off, they were terrible. TERRIBLE.

If you're not having sex, don't waste your time, or your health on the pill.

Friday, February 15, 2008, 2:24 PM

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Everyone reacts differently, to different pills. Hormones vary by brand.

Not all of us has had negative reactions. I for one have loved it. My periods went from 9 days to 5, the flow decreased so that I didn't ruin all my bedclothes, and it evened out MY moods

Friday, February 15, 2008, 2:51 PM

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OP, you mentioned that you hear there is discomfort if you remove a tampon when it is not "full." Please read, "discomfort." Not "pain." It's just a little harder to tug out if it's dry than if it's wet. But it doesn't have to be really full or anything for it to be perfectly comfortable to remove. Even if it's totally dry, it still doesn't feel that bad, and it only lasts for a second or so.

Just be sure to practice before you are trying to run out the door to the beach - it might take you a couple tries to get comfortable with putting one in.

On a heavy flow day, a regular tampon might only be good for 2-4 hours before it's full and leaks. On a lighter flow day, it'll last the whole 8 hours, which is the maximum recommended length of time to leave one in. Unless you have a particularly heavy flow, in which case you may want to buy a box of the "variety," which comes with regular, super, and junior absorbency, and just learn by trial and error.

I'm really surprised by the number of women here who are scared of tampons! They're really the greatest thing ever, and so much neater and more comfortable than a pad!

Friday, February 15, 2008, 4:22 PM

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Tampax also used to have a "teen" tampon. It was great because it went all the way up to 'super' level of absorbancy, but the applicator is flushable (read: no embarrassing trash-can issues), and the tampon is more narrow. I LOVED them. Just a thought. Good luck! And like everyone said, take some time to relax the first time you try them. :)

Friday, February 15, 2008, 7:02 PM

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when i started my period at 9, my mom sat me on the toilet and taught me how to use a tampon. they are all i use. i swim in them and sleep in them. the most important thing is not forgeting that you still have one in! haha!


Friday, February 15, 2008, 9:46 PM

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Tampons do not cause cancer and they're extremely convenient.

Saturday, February 16, 2008, 9:08 AM

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