But a girl may get a discharge, odor, or an infection. A tampon that's left in too long won't get lost. The vagina holds a tampon in place and the opening of the cervix (located at the top of the vagina) is too tiny for a tampon to get through. Some girls worry that tampons can get lost inside their bodies. It may take a minute to do because the string might be a bit hard to grab. Reach in with your fingers to find the string. If it's time to change your tampon and you can't find the string, don't worry! The tampon is still there. If you forget to change it, you may get spotting or leakage on your underwear or clothing. Even when the box says a tampon is flushable, tampons can still cause problems in some plumbing systems.īecause you can't see a tampon, you'll need to remember when it's time to change. Wrap it in toilet paper and throw it in the trash.ĭon't flush a tampon down the toilet. To remove the tampon, pull gently on the string until the tampon comes out. Tampons have a string attached to one end that stays outside a girl's body. Change a tampon every 4–6 hours or when it's saturated with blood. It's very important to change tampons every few hours and that you wear the absorbency type that is right for you. After washing your hands, follow the directions that come with the tampons carefully and be sure to relax. How Do You Use Tampons?Ī tampon is put into the vagina using an applicator or a finger. This will make the tampon slip in easier. The first time you use a tampon, try to do so on a heavier flow day. An applicator with a rounded top can be especially helpful for beginners. Some girls find that a slender size, applicator-style tampon is easier to use when they first start their periods. Other tampons are inserted using a finger. An applicator is a plastic or cardboard tube that guides the tampon into the vagina. The deodorant in tampons can irritate the vagina, and could cause an allergic reaction in some girls. There's no need for deodorant in a tampon, though, because changing tampons regularly usually gets rid of any odor. Tampons also can come with or without deodorant. Tampons come in different sizes and absorbencies for heavier and lighter periods. A tampon is also made of absorbent material, but it's compressed into a small tube. Tampons absorb blood from inside the vagina. It's all a matter of personal preference. Girls might use these pads because they feel they're better for the environment or to save money. These kinds of pads snap or clip onto a girl's underwear. They're sold in natural health stores and online. These pads are washed after each time you wear them. Don't try to flush a pad down the toilet because the toilet can become clogged and make a big mess.
Put it in the trash can or in the special disposal box that's found in most bathroom stalls. To remove the pad, unstick it from your underwear and wrap it in toilet paper. If the pad has wings, you wrap these around the bottom of the crotch. You peel off the paper strip that covers the adhesive and press the pad into the crotch of your underwear. Most pads have a sticky strip along the bottom. There are two types of pads that do the same job, but are used a little bit differently. If you have a heavier flow, you might need to change pads more often to make sure you don't leak. Regular changing prevents buildup of bacteria and stops odor.
Pads should be changed every 3–4 hours, even if you have a light flow. But these can irritate the vagina or cause an allergic reaction in some girls. Some pads are scented or come with a deodorant in them. It might take a little bit of experimenting to find the right pad for the different times of your period. You want to try to find a pad that is big enough that you don't worry about leaking through, but is small enough to be comfortable. And most girls have a light days and heavier days.
Some girls have heavier bleeding with their periods and others have lighter bleeding. There are many different types of pads, including: These "wings" fold over the edges of your underwear to help hold the pad in place and prevent leaking. Some pads have extra material on the sides. They're sometimes also called sanitary pads or sanitary napkins. Pads are rectangles of absorbent material that attach to the inside of a girl's underwear and catch menstrual blood. It might take some experimenting to find what's right for you. There are lots of different products out there. When you get your period, you'll need to use something to soak up the menstrual blood.