Tampons Leak - First Timer

I like OB tampons by Johnson and Johnson. There is no applicator so you have to feel comfortable inserting it w/out an applicator but I find them to be a far superior product to any of the applicator tampons.

I think you got it now but NO pad while swimming ever:).

I'd try another brand or greater absorbancy. My SD prefers Playtex. I prefer Tampax. Like with many things, it can be individual what works best for you. If you got a box with different absorbancies, try the next size up.

You might need a more absorbent tampon. I haven't used the playtex ones, but if you are bleeding heavily, you may need another brand.

I'm wondering, though, if you put it in correctly. Tampons should be more or less 'forgettable' and when inserted properly, most women don't really feel them. It may be that the tampon didn't go in far enough and that it is down near the muscles at the front of the vagina instead of fully inserted.

Not to be crude, but there are quite a few videos and articles on how to insert a tampon, and there are a few comfortable ways to do it. There is a wikihow on this if you want some options besides sitting on the toilet. Many young women may find it more comfortable to stand with one foot resting up higher than the other (on a stool or bathtub edge) or slightly squatting with knees bent a bit outward. You may want to google a little bit if you are still having trouble.

You might consider trying a couple different brands today so you are a-okay for swimming tomorrow. And no, do not wear a pad in the water! The gel inside it will do what the gel in a diaper does-- absorb water, and then it will puff up or fall apart in the water. Obviously way more embarrassing to have paper bits floating out of your bikini bottoms.

Playtex always leaked for M.. There's something about their design that doesn't work for M.. I have better luck with Tampax, their standard cardboard applicator variety. I've used them a good 25+ years now and have yet to have a leak. I'd get their variety box with supers, regulars and light ones, and start with the super. You'll want to change them out every couple of hours on your heaviest days.

No pads when swimming at all ever - they'd fall out plus they just absorb a whole lot of water and fall apart.
Try the next size up in a tampon.
If it hurts when sitting you probably haven't got it up far enough.
You shouldn't feel it at all (in any position) if you've got it seated right.
You put it in (just the applicator part up to the area with grips/ridges on it, not the plunger part), push the plunger, pull the applicator/plunger out then lightly tug the string a very little bit with your muscled tensed a bit (like you're doing a kegel)- it sort of snugs the cork in the bottle neck so to speak.
After swimming, remove the tampon (it'll be soaked), and insert a fresh tampon.
With a little practice you'll soon have it perfected and have no problems at all.

To reiterate what Nervy Girl said, definitely don't wear a pad while swimming! It will be a horrid mess. I sometimes do wear a thin pad as back up to my tampon, but not while swimming. As I have heard, cold water tends to stop one's flow temporarily and I never have had a tampon leak while I was swimming, so you don't need to worry about leakage.

In terms of the issue with leaking generally, it may be the brand, or you may need a higher absorbency at this point in your period. I generally did not have issues with leaking that soon after insertion (though peri-menopause has thrown everything out of whack and I sometimes go through one in less than an hour...). I have used OB successfully for probably 20 years--I love that it doesn't have the applicator which needs to be disposed of. But I think you would want to get used to tampons in general before moving to that kind. Good luck with it!

This may seem like a silly question, but you ARE removing the applicator after you've pushed the plunger, right?

When you remove the leaking tampon, is it soaked through, or still mostly dry/white? If it's soaked through, what size/absorbancy are you using? I wouldn't consider it leaking if it's soaking through, just that you need a more absorbent tampon. If the tampon is still mostly clean and menstrual fluid is getting around it, a larger absorbancy may still help, because it will be thicker and may fit you better. Otherwise try a different brand. I never liked Platex.

I prefer OB without applicator but you have to be comfortable inserting those with your finger. It is much easier to feel that you've got it placed properly and I just find that that brand works better generally.

No, you can't wear a pad when you swim. It would just fill up with water. Sorry.

Perhaps you need a bigger size. Or you could use two tampons at a time if your flow is really heavy.

Personally I don't swim while on my period. No matter what you do, that water is going to swish up inside your vagina, and wash that blood right out into the pool. Plus your tampon will absorb all that water too. Just my opinion.

Tampons work for M. but after having babies I have to put them in a certain way. I have to push them way up in there, I push my finger all the way in, so it sits high. Then I clench my muscles to seat it. And I use at least a super.

What JC said. Try OB, if you can be comfortable inserting them without an applicator. They work the best, and you can make sure they are positioned correctly.

As a former competitive swimmer, don't use a pad in the pool. They aren't like a swim diaper. And don't count on the water just stopping your bleeding. I've been a witness to how untrue that can be! Ick! Try a larger size tampon and be sure you are putting it in right. Don't worry about water getting into your vagina and washing blood into the pool. I have gone swimming with tampons ever since I started getting my period and never had a problem. Even during three hour practices. Put in a fresh one before you get in and change it every 1-2 hours. It will absorb some water, but it won't be enough to wash any blood out. Worst thing that ever happened to M. was noticing the string hanging out of my suit. Embarrassing!!!!!

I've switched to Kotex brand of tampons. I like them way better than the other brands, for M. anyway. I've gone swimming on my period, it was a pretty heavy one that time & never had a problem w/blood leaking out with the Kotex Super Absorbancy. Your vagina pretty much holds it in pretty well & holds 'it' closed pretty well too I think.

Some advised using a cup but I've never liked the cup b/c you have to handle/touch it & figure out how not to spill it when taking it out. To M., it's unsanitary & just makes a big mess, I'd hafta wear gloves, hafta rinse it out, hafta take a spare/clean one to replace it with & plus I'm always afraid of dropping it...I guess I'm just not talented enough in that area to use a cup but to M., cups are just too much trouble. For M., tampons all the way.

As far as tampons go, like the others said, try a higher absorbancy or a different brand. I too had leakage problems w/Playtex as well as Tampax & store brands but so far, I've never had a problem w/Kotex. I've honestly never tried O.B. b/c I don't like the thought of no applicator...again the unsanitary touching thing but a lot of girls like them. Try a different brand or higher absorbancy, or try a cup, that's about all you can do. :) Good luck!!

I hated using tampons - lots of problems with them- so I used pads for awhile. Now, I use something called a menstrual cup. There are many different brands. It sounds kind of weird but I like it a lot better than tampons and it works great while swimming. It's a reusable cup that creates a seal and collects your period. You clean it out every 4-8 hours. I never have to buy tampons or pads anymore. :) The cup cost my $35. Maybe you could give it a try in the future.

Try a super absorbency tampon.

I got a "bad batch" of tampons once. It was a cheap box, not brand name. I would insert the tampon and start leaking right away. The tampons didn't absorb anything. Maybe try a different brand, or a different absorbency. If you have had a baby then you shouldn't be using the slims or light.

OB. I use a cup now a days, I like the Lunette because the Diva was too long, and I also turn it inside out to shorten it a bit more. But even though I love my cup I still feel most comfortable using OB when swimming. They work the best and are the easiest to use. It is easier to get them in the right place with a finger then the ones that use the applicator.

It sounds like you might need to get higher absorbency tampons if you're leaking.

Have you ever tried a menstrual cup? I recently switched over to the Lunette menstrual cup and I'm so happy with it...no more tampons for M.!