So my niece is 13. She's had her period for a little over a year now. She can't figure out how to use a tampon. The problem is, my sister (her mother) paid a pretty good amount to put her on the swim team, which she has always enjoyed. But this year, she's missed more practices than she's attended because of this tampon issue. I can understand in the beginning, not really understanding your body and everything, as I remember having issues with this as well. But I also remember figuring it out fairly quickly because I hated pads so much. But my niece says she "can't find the hole." Anyone with teenage daughters out there have this same issue? Any suggestions?
Well, my older cousin informed me of the miracles of tampon use (LOL) and I simply read the directions in the box (used the kind with the applicator).
Ahh the joys of womanhood. :P
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Has anyone shown her a diagram of the vagina, showed her how to hold the tampon... or something?
here is a video and article for girls.
http://www.beinggirl.com/article/how-to-insert-a-tampon
this will help her:
http://www.ubykotex.com.au/healthy-vagina/pictures/
(warning, it is a small drawing of a vagina with the parts labeled and explained from a legitimate and very informative website of girls/women's health.
I remember having that issue myself when I *first* tried to insert a tampon. I was 13. But I was a dancer, and my solo acrobat costume that year was WHITE, and I had my period. There was absolutely no way to get through that with a pad, bending, contorting, tumbling, etc. with a pad on, with a white costume! And it was the once a year recital, so I couldn't just skip it. So I dug deep, so to speak, felt around, and alas, I DID finally find the hole! I would encourage her that a tampon goes in easily when you are in the right place. Encourage her to keep feeling around, trying different angles of insertion, etc. My recollection is that I didn't realize how far *back* the vaginal opening is... I think I was trying closer to the urethra, with obviously no success. Perhaps if she's comfortable with an adult or a doctor helping her find the hole, that might be the easiest and fastest solution!
Another GREAT suggestion I've read before for people trying new things like the diva cup or instead softcups, is to practice WHILE YOU'RE NOT ON YOUR PERIOD. That way, she doesn't have to deal with the bloody mess while she's trying to figure out where to put the thing. Also, if someone is going to help her find the hole, it might be least embarrassing for her if she's NOT on her period at the time.
Good luck... I know how frustrating that is!
What about the Diva Cup: http://www.divacup.com/?gclid=CIGC6pOk96oCFcw42godtlA7BQ
i know this is gross advice, but maybe her mom is really going to have to show her how to do it, maybe help her learn. i had no clue how to use tampons and was way to shy and embarrassed to ask my mom. i was 19 before i figured out that it wasnt in far enough and that is what was causing all the pain and discomfort.
Our daughter was ready after the first month, she was 11. Here is how I handled it.
First unwrap one and show her how it works.. Then have her place the tube back together.
I stood outside of the bathroom door and gave these instructions.. "Sit on the toilet, open your legs. With your fingers, find the area where the pee comes out. Now go behind there and you will find another opening, not your bottom hole, that is to far back,"
"Now take the tampon and place the first part of it in there. slide it in.. Now push the back part of it in towards the first, do not worry it will not get lost. There is no way for it to go further into your body."
"Now pull out the cardboard tube.".
remind her to never throw any part of the tampon in the toilet.. It clogs up the pipes and the sewage system.. to wrap it in TP and place in the trash..
Worst comes to worse her Mom can show her. I like the mirror idea and of course reading the instructions on the box. I would suggest the Pearl by Playtex...By far the easiest to use. Also, she needs to be relaxed so her body doesn't tense up. Ever try inserting one when you've tensed your muscles? And lots of vaseline or KY to insert. Makes it more comfortable. I was in my 20's when I figured out how to use one LOL. My first try and a piece of cotton got stuck and had to be treated for an infection so be careful. She'll get the hang of it :)
Plastic applicator tampons, some lubricant and good instruction seem like the place to start. A doctor can probably even help her find the right spot with a mirror if she and mom can't work that out. Once she has the hang of it, she might really like the cup option- it could very easily eliminate the need to change tampons at school. If she is going to try a cup, I'd probably suggest a smaller and more comfortable one, like the Lady Cup. There are many different brands out there, some specifically smaller for teens. Best of luck to her!
I had that issue as a teenager and my BFF told me to put a bunch of vaseline on the tip and that will help to get it inserted. Her mom had taught her that trick. And wouldn't you know it - it worked! Tell her to give it a try. I think that nerves play a part. Will it go to far? Will I ever get it back? So she should relax, know it will come out, no problem and just do it. :)
What kind of tampons is she using? When my mom first bought me tampons she got the cardboard aplicators. It was a nightmare and I had no clue what I was doing. Once I got into high school and friend gave me a tampon with a plastic aplicator and it was so much easier to get in.
I also second the vasaleine suggestion. It will help glide it in better.
Maybe you could take her shopping and pick out a few different types/brands of tampons. I think playtex has a "Teen" brand.
Get her a Menstrual Cup there is no risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome. I recommend the Moon Cup it has a 90 day money back guarantee.
http://www.mooncup.com/guarantee.html.
I suggest her mother or you shave down there I show her on yourselves. Also have her get undressed & take her finger & put in in the hole for her. Mirrors help too. Go the the library & get some books, most are afraid that it will get lost up there or they don't get it in far enough & it's painful. Tell her not to be afraid of her own body, there is only beauty there.
They have a diagram in the box. Even though disposal is a pain I would suggest the tampons with the plastic applicator.
I suppose she can google other angles of attack but honestly I have never heard of someone not being able to find the hole. It sounds like she is just scared of her body.
I think a mirror and the directions in privacy would work and if she needs help ask her mom to come in and show her. She might not be comfortable enough to do it yet. Even if it has been a year.
I remember the first time I used a tampon, it took me 30 mins to psyche myself up to do it and once I did then I was good to go. I had had my period for about 2 years before I realized this was stupid to use pads.
I think it kind of has to be up to her. Also make sure she understand that she needs to change them every 4 hours.
Tell her to use her fingers to "find the hole" - just like she does when she masturbates.
