Tampon lessons for beginners

July 1, 2020

There’s a first time for everything. So you want to try a tampon: where to start and what to do? This mini course comes to the rescue. Tampon lessons for beginners!

1 Know yourself

Biology classes are taught in just about every school. However, most girls and women don’t really know their anatomy. Therefore, start by looking at some pictures. Especially an anatomical picture from the side is helpful, as it shows the course of the vagina and lets you know in which direction you should insert the tampon. Another tip: study your female parts in a mirror.

2 Buy the right size

Just as sanitary towels, tampons also come in different sizes. Start with the smallest, which has the lowest absorbency level. And make sure to read the instructions. With or without built-in applicator? That’s a personal choice, so totally up to you.

3 Pick the right time

Try inserting your first tampon on a day that you have a medium flow, so not too heavy but definitely not too light. Very important: never try inserting a tampon when you’re not menstruating as your vagina will be too dry.

4 Wash your hands!

This isn’t something you should only do the first time, but every single time you insert a tampon. As well as every time you use the loo.

5 Ready, steady…

Sit or stand in a comfortable position. Some girls sit on the toilet with their legs spread. Others prefer standing with one leg on the toilet seat or bath tub. Hold the tampon (with or without applicator) correctly: with your index finger on the end (where the string comes out) to ensure you’ll insert it the right way.

6 Relax!!!

Breathe in. Breathe out. Laugh. Sing a song. The more relaxed you are, the easier it’ll be.

7 Insert

Gently insert the tampon, aiming for the small of your back. Push a little more. If you’re using a non-applicator, your index finger should go a bit inside your vagina. If you’re using a tampon with a built-in applicator, you stop when your finger has reached your vagina. If it hurts, then your vagina is either too dry, you’re too tensed or you’re pushing in the wrong direction.

8 Check!

When you’ve inserted the tampon correctly, you don’t feel it anymore. Not even when you move or sit down. Does it still feel uncomfortable? Then you probably haven’t placed the tampon far enough into the vagina. Remove the tampon and try again with a new one.

Done it? Congratulations! Don’t forget to change your tampon regularly (at least within every 8 hours). And always choose the correct tampon absorbency (smaller sized tampons when your flow is light, and bigger ones when your flow is heavy).