Fear of Tampons (And Ruining a Vacation)- Probably Tmi

If you take the pill, you can just skip the placebo (period) week and continue with the next pack of pills. The other option is to do the placebo week ahead of schedule and then go back and take the regular pills. This is one of the huge plusses of bcps -- you can change the period week.

If you're not on the pill, I agree with the others. Try now using tampons to practice. The plastic applicator ones are a tiny bit easier and it shouldn't be too hard. They're not painful, either.

Good luck!

How about getting on a birth control pill before you go and skip the sugar pills? Then just get off of it afterwards. That would be super easy. Have a GREAT time in Hawaii!

Get the slimmest, smooth plastic applicators you can find. They are SOOOO different and easier to insert than they used to be. If you have a period between now and vacation, test drive them. I use light or regular because they are slimmer and more comfortable to insert. If you can get used to them enough to just use them for swimming, that may be the saving grace. Good luck!
http://www.target.com/s/tampons

In 20 years the tampon has come a long way.. I would purchase a multi pack with all of the different sizes..

Practice inserting them.. The plastic applicators are the easiest for most women..

When it is inserted.. you should not be able to feel that it is in there.. When women tell me they feel it, I remind them it is not high enough in there.. REMEMBER... it can not get lost in there.

You gave birth to a human.. you can use a tampon..

I had never used them at all until my vacation two years ago. They're not that bad. I think you should get some now and try out different brands before your trip. Then take them along, as well as a big bottle of Pamprin or Midol so you can enjoy your vacation!

The only way to change the week you get your period is to go on the bc pill. You can skip the placebo week and start the next pack, thereby skipping your period.

Make an appointment with a nurse at your OB/GYN's office and ask her to explain how to use tampons. You should feel comfortable talking to her and she will be able to ease your mind.

Have fun in Hawaii!!

I really am not a fan of them either, but they are "better" than pads for me, very heavy flow WHEN I get it, so I found that the Tampax Pearl work very well for me. The applicator is smooth and small, does not feel too awkward, but make sure you use the right size for your flow no matter what brand you use.

If you are on the pill talk to your dr and see if your pills are strong enough to make you not start and just keep taking the active pills but you will probably want to do a trial run with it. I tired that for my honey moon and it did not work come to find out they were not strong enough. Also like others have said tampons have come a LONG way in the last 20 years. Get the plastic applicator. I totally understand where you are coming from. I have issues wearing them cause they wont stay in. Just remember to change them our regularly. If you normally have a heavy cycle like me you will want to do it once an hour or every other hour.

Good luck and God Bless!

Try Tampax Pearl. They were the only kind I liked.

Don't feel bad. Talk to your Dr and let them help you.

I am fortunate to not have to ever use them again due to hysterectomy but before surgery I only used tampons.

Playtex was my brand of choice and is my daughter's as well. I do know that OB has a good product as well.

I think part of what you have to do is just get over the fear and your Dr. should be able to help you with that.

Don't let something that can be taken care of so easily ruin a trip to Hawaii. Hawaii is so WORTH the trip! Enjoy

i know one can manipulate their period w/birth control pills, (maybe worth asking a dr). otherwise i would use the tampax brand w/plastic applicator. most comfortable and easy to use.

I'm in love with ob tampons. Very small, easy to use, and absorb well. I'd say to get a box and try inserting when you aren't having a period. Do it on a few different days just to get comfortable with the process. Then have fun on your vacation. Hawaii is an amazing place with a ton of stuff to do.

Try OB, because there is no applicator it gives you a better sense of control.

I agree with Laurie . . . if you birthed a baby you can handle it!

You could also talk to your gyn about temporary birth control pills to stall your cycle (or start it early). I wouldn't go that route because I don't like BCP's but it's another option to consider.

I prefer the ones with plastic applicators. They slip in and hardly any mess. As for pain, truthfully, if you and your husband are still intimate you should have no issue. I suggest start just useing them before your actual period, just to get used to them again. Buy a box and look them over, they come with a little pamphlet on how to use them too. If you've used pads then you should know the amount of your flow, each box has a estimated capacity.

If you swim, make sure you have a few tucked away in your bag. You can swim, but they do absorbs the water and become ineffective after a time, so change them as often as you can if you're in the water.

Good luck.

i would agree with using the pill temporarily and also tampons are so easy now. get ones with a plasitc applicator so it glides run in and you're good

I never had pain with tampons. You might try one with no applicator, like OB. You push it in using your finger, so you have more control.

If you're on the pill, you can skip your period. When you get tot he week of placebos (when you would normally have your period), just start a new pack of pills instead.

My daughter has very heavy flow and the doctor recommended she take ibuprofen 400 mg around the clock for the first 2 days. It reduces the swelling and the bleeding, making it all more manageable. I agree with others to perhaps call your doctor and ask for birthcontrol pills and start taking them now and when you leave just continue taking the real pills (not the week of sugar pills that allow you to get your period).
Have fun in Hawaii.

I hate tampons too but i would try it if it meant having fun in Hawawii!!

my mom always used OB so that was what i tried to start with, I really didn't like them, the plastic applicators are better. Most brands of tampons have a website were you can request a starter pack and they will send you free ones to try. I think in your case you can be considered a beginner.

Also i see no one has mentioned those "moon cups" or diva cups what ever they are called, I haven't tried them but i guess you push it in and it acts as a barrier and you can take it out and dump everything i guess. So if you are concerned about teh enviroment or chemicals in your body this would be an option. maybe someone else can speak to this more.

Before you go, I would experiment with different types. Sometimes the slender ones are better. They also come in different shapes. Some are smaller and like a plug and others are longer. Your body may be shaped a certain way so one may be more comfortable than the other.

I love using the Diva Cup but there is a HUGE learning curve and you have to be very comfortable with taking it out and putting it in. It took me 2 cycles to get used to it. Now it don't even think about it.

Think of all those commercials with happy girls swimming! Tampons are great!

Have fun on your trip!

I have used the SoftCup. Only a slight learning curve and have worked well for me!
http://www.softcup.com/content/what-softcup

Have a great time!!!

You've gotten some good advice. I would suggest trying the menstral cup if you are comfortable about your own body. Whether you go that route or try tampons try it now/next period. You want to feel confident and comfortable with whatever decision you make.

Have fun!! You're going to have a great time!

Are you on birth control of some sort? I did what Carrie T. said for my wedding because I was due for my period. Talk you your doctor or pharmacist...they can tell you how to do it. With mine, I was already on the pill and I remember I had to take the first 2 weeks of one cycle of pills, then skip to the next cycle of them, so I don't know if that's for every type of pill or if there are some where you just skip the sugar pills. It's perfectly safe and some women actually do this month after month so they don't get a period at all. But if you are already on a different form of birth control, it might not be safe to take the pill as well. So talk to the doctor first.

Practice by inserting the tampon up your nose (preferably during a bloody nose.) It gives a good visual of what is happening so there should be no fear of actually using one. It worked for me, I hope it works for you!

Cheers!
~D.

If you are on the pill, you can try skipping the sugar pills the week of your period and start a new pack...thus skipping your period. OR...you can buy a menstral cup...like the moon cup. I have one and love it. It is reusable, so you don't have to worry about having a tampon or something in your bag. When you go, just take it out, dump it, rinse it and put it back in. Awesome!

ETA: you could also try the Instead cup. Similar idea as the moon cup, but it is throwable. You can leave it in for up to 12 hours. They don't leak...but I have had some difficulty taking them out in the past.

I would defnitely give the Diva Cup a try. I just used it for the first time this last cycle and I loved it. On my heavy day I did have to empty (check mostly bc it was my first time using it) about evey 2-3 hours... but it was simple. You don't get that dry feeling that can happen with tampons and bc it is medical grade silicon you can literally leave it in for up to 12 hours if your flow is light enough. You can practice ahead of time and be comfortable with it by the time your trip comes around. You just need to have running water to deal with the empty and cleanup part, but bc you wear it for a while you can work that around your activity schedule. good luck!