The tampon barrier

Mar 10, 2023

Do you experience pain or discomfort when trying to insert a tampon into your vagina?

If you experience pain when inserting a tampon, there could be several reasons: 

Lack of relaxation

If your vaginal muscles are tense, it can be difficult to insert a tampon and cause pain. Try to relax your muscles and take deep breaths before attempting to insert the tampon. 

Dryness

If your vagina is dry, the tampon may cause discomfort when you try to insert it. You can try using some lube or vegetable oil to help ease the insertion process. 

Wrong angle

If the tampon is not inserted at the right angle, it can cause pain. Try aiming towards your lower back instead of straight up. Using an applicator can also assist in achieving the right angle. 

Size of the tampon

Using a tampon that is too big can cause pain and discomfort during insertion. Try using a smaller size, the mini is perfect and gradually work your way up if needed. 

Medical conditions

Certain medical conditions such as vaginal infections, vaginismus or imperforated hymen can cause pain during tampon insertion. If you do perforate your hymen during tampon insertion, this may cause some one-off pain and bleeding. 

Remember, you should never force a tampon in if it is causing pain. If you continue to experience pain or discomfort, consider using an alternative such as pads or period undies. 

If you experience persistent pain or discomfort, please make an appointment with one of our fab team.

More from the blog

J is for . . . The ABC's of Pelvic Health

By Kylie Conway • 26 Dec, 2023
Jaw, jumping and jellyfish all start with the letter J and are all related to pelvic health. How can we help?

Pregnancy and Your Pelvic Floor

By Kylie Conway • 18 Dec, 2023
There are so many wonderful elements experienced during pregnancy and we do our best to be healthy throughout. We remember to take our prenatal vitamins to ensure our body and bub are getting enough of what's needed. We stay clear of certain foods to avoid infections. We keep our body active by exercising but we don't always remember to care for our pelvic floor. During pregnancy, muscles of your pelvic floor are stretched and weaken. These muscles help to control your bladder. When your pelvic floor muscles are weak, they can't always stop your bladder from leaking. This leaking happens mostly when you cough, laugh, sneeze, lift or exercise. You may also find holding in a wee difficult, like when putting a key in the front door, suddenly the urge is greater. By performing pelvic floor exercises, you can strengthen the muscles. Pelvic floor muscle training will assist the body to cope with the growing weight of the baby. Stronger muscles before bub is born will help to reduce or avoid stress incontinence after pregnancy. It's never too early to start doing pelvic floor exercises, but the earlier and more regularly you practice them throughout pregnancy, the greater the benefits. If you're unsure if you're performing pelvic floor exercises correctly or would like some guidance, we can help!

I is for . . . The ABC's of Pelvic Health

By Kylie Conway • 11 Dec, 2023
Incontinence, intimacy pain and initial appointment all start with the letter I and are all related to pelvic health. How can we help?

Urinary Tract Infection And Sex

By Kylie Conway • 05 Dec, 2023
How can I prevent getting an UTI after sex?
Share by: