Why does my tampon hurt when I sit

Are you dealing with a particularly defiant vagina? One that, no matter how much you poke and prod and try to relax and poke some more, just won’t let you insert a tampon? If that sucker won’t budge, don’t worry. You’re certainly not the first to experience this. It’s pretty common, and there are a few reasons why it could be happening to you. 

Before we dive in, it’s worth mentioning that there’s no shame in not knowing how to insert a tampon (no matter what age you are) because we don’t all get a step-by-step tutorial on this stuff, and in many cases we’re left to figure it out on our own. If you feel confident that you have read the instructions on the side of the packaging correctly, yet nothing seems to be working, here are some other things you can try:

Look at a diagram 

Unsure of what’s inside your vagina? You may be pushing the tampon in at the wrong angle. If you’re worried about this, it can sometimes help to look at a diagram while you insert your tampon so you can picture where it’s going. This also helps if you worry about the tampon getting stuck - rest assured that what goes up will come down! 

Use smaller tampons

If you’re struggling to insert a tampon, make sure you’re trying the smallest size you can first. Even if you have had sex before, you may simply have a smaller hole down there that the tampon has to get through, so give it the best chance by choosing the smallest size. 

Use an applicator

If you need more help, applicators are the way to go. They receive a lot of bad press because of the plastic waste they produce, but many people find them necessary for their tampon insertion, so if that’s you, go for it! An applicator usually provides more of a smooth surface to help the tampon slip in, and doesn’t require quite so much bending to reach your fingers into your vagina. Plus you can easily find eco-friendly applicator tampons that use cardboard rather than plastic, just like Yoppie's own in fact!

Try lubricant

If you need even more help (not a problem, plenty of people do!) then there’s one more trick up our sleeve. Lube! You might think of the sexy tubes of flavoured stuff in the supermarket next to the condoms, and you’d be right, but don’t forget there are also lots of personal lubricants marketed without sex in mind. Just some good old smooth, slippery lube to help that tampon glide on in there. Adding a little of this to the entrance of your vagina, or to the applicator, can often make a difference. 

Is it just tension, or is it vaginismus?

The main issue that hinders tampon insertion for most is the muscles in the vagina tensing up and stopping anything from passing through. If you’re thinking ‘Pah! Pelvic floor muscles are no match for a tampon’... well you’re wrong. They’re pretty tough, and can put up a fight when something tries to go in there. 

In most cases, relaxation activities (which you’ll find below) can help, but in some cases they don’t. If you’ve tried many times to insert a tampon to no avail, and no matter how much you try to relax it won’t happen, you may have something called vaginismus. 

What is vaginismus?

Vaginismus isn’t dangerous so it’s nothing to worry about, but it can cause frustration. It happens when the muscles in and around the vagina tighten up when you try to insert a tampon (or a penis, or whatever, for that matter!). It can be a bit painful for some, or very painful for others, but mainly it’s emotionally frustrating. 

The causes of this condition vary; some believe it’s the body's reaction to a fear of penetration, whether conscious or not. Other times it can be triggered by a medical condition, trauma from childbirth, menopause, physical or sexual abuse, certain medications, and more. But don’t worry, there are things you can do to loosen the muscles. The best way to find the information you need is via your GP - they can give you helpful exercises. 

The good news is vaginismus can come and go, so if you do have this condition it may take a little longer for you to get used to using tampons but it doesn’t mean you won’t be able to use them in future. 

Want to know more about vaginismus? We have a whole blog about it right here. 

How to relax when inserting a tampon

If you don’t have vaginismus, but you find yourself tensing up a little when trying to insert a tampon, there are a few things you can try to encourage those muscles to relax:

• Lie down on your bed. You may feel more relaxed at this angle (since your brain probably thinks it’s going to sleep!) and you can better relax your core muscles in this position too.
• Have a bath first. A relaxing bath can often soothe the muscles before you attempt to insert your tampon, which should make it easier.
• Meditate or do breathing exercises for a few minutes before you try to insert your tampon. Never underestimate the power of your own breath!
• Experiment with different positions until you find what feels most comfortable. One leg up, on your knees, upside down, it’s all fine! Just be careful you don’t tip over… 

Got a question about inserting a tampon? Don't be embarrassed! Shout out in our private Facebook group or drop us a note on Insta @itsyoppie. Don't forget that our personalised period box can get organic tampons (with or without eco-friendly applicators!) and more delivered easily and regularly through your letterbox, so that's one less headache to think about during your cycle.

Fact checked by Doctor Samantha Miller.

Using tampons is great. We’re big fans – but you may be concerned about whether you can feel a tampon while wearing one. If it’s inserted properly, you can’t feel a tampon at all.

Firstly, a reminder on how tampons work

Here’s a quick primer on how tampons work. Tampons are inserted into your vagina where they absorb menstrual fluid before it has a chance to leave your body. Your vaginal muscles keep the tampon in place until you’re ready to take it out. It won’t move until you do. That’s why you can’t feel a tampon during use. However, if you’re not supposed to feel a tampon, you may be wondering why you can feel yours.

Why can I feel my tampon, then?

The most likely reason is that you didn’t push your tampon in far enough when you inserted it. Not to worry – simply use your finger to push it in a little further. If that doesn’t fix it, just take it out and try again with a fresh one.

Another reason why you might be able to feel your tampon is because you’re using too high of an absorbency. If you use a higher absorbency tampon than you need, this can cause your vagina to dry out, which will make it too dry for your tampon to sit comfortably inside, giving you that uncomfortable tampon feeling.

How to insert a tampon properly

Here’s how to do it so that you can’t feel your tampon. Hold the grip marks on the tampon applicator with your thumb and middle finger. Open your legs so that they’re at least shoulder-width apart. Make sure to push the tampon in until the entire thicker outer tube of the applicator (the part with the tampon in it) is completely inside your vagina and you can’t see it. A good way of achieving this is to angle the applicator slightly towards your back and slide it into your vagina until your fingers holding the grip marks on the applicator come into contact with your skin. Only then should you push the plunger in to release the tampon from the applicator. Sometimes it takes a little bit of practice to get it right and achieve that I-don’t-even-know-it’s-there tampon feeling.

Once you get the hang of it, tampons are really comfortable. A lot of girls prefer them to pads because they can do and wear whatever they want while on their period. Whether you choose tampons or pads is entirely up to you.

Check out Tampax’s new step-by-step guide to tampons and watch super helpful videos from a partnership with Tyla:

You’re thinking about making the switch to tampons. Congrats! Maybe you’re getting ready for a day at the beach, or you want to show off your skills on the football pitch, or maybe you just want to try one out. Using a tampon is a great way to not let your period hold you back from doing what you want and from being your strong, confident self.

Do tampons hurt?

They shouldn’t. If your tampon does hurt, it usually means that something’s not quite right. In fact, when used properly, you’ll barely be able to feel your tampon.

Maybe you heard from a friend that tampons hurt. Why does it hurt to put a tampon in? you may be wondering. Here’s a little bit about why tampons don’t (or shouldn’t!) hurt. Tampons are held inside your body by the muscles of your vagina. Your vagina is naturally lubricated, which makes it easy to slide a tampon right the way in without it hurting. Tampons are designed to be just the right size and shape to fit into your vagina with ease.

How to put a tampon in without it hurting

If it hurts when you’re putting in a tampon, you may not be putting it in right. Here are some simple instructions on how to put a tampon in.

When putting in a tampon, keep in mind that your vagina is at a slight angle, and not straight up and down like it looks in diagrams. When inserting your tampon, be sure to aim it slightly towards your back for a more comfortable insertion. If you’ve been trying to put it in straight up, this may be why I it’s been hurting a little when you’ve tried to put a tampon in.

Another reason why it might hurt to put in a tampon is because you think it will. In other words, your nerves about inserting a tampon could be making you tense up ‘down there’. If you’re really afraid that inserting a tampon will hurt, your brain will send a signal to your vaginal muscles to clench up involuntarily – i.e., without you knowing it. So, take a deep breath and try to relax. It helps to take a deep breath in and insert the tampon as you’re breathing out.

Why does wearing a tampon hurt?

If you still feel your tampon after inserting it, it may not be in far enough. When your fingers are on the grip of the applicator, they should come into contact with your skin before you use the plunger to push the tampon out of the applicator and into your vagina. If you think your tampon isn’t in far enough, pull it out and try again with a new tampon.

If you find that your tampon hurts even after following these instructions, it may mean that you are using too high of an absorbency for your flow. Tampons are super absorbent, but if there isn’t enough fluid to absorb, this can leave your vagina feeling dry, which can be a little painful. Try going down an absorbency level.

If inserting or removing your tampon still hurts, keep in mind that your flow varies as you move through your period. The first few days of your period are usually heavier than the last few days. This means you’ll want to use a lighter absorbency for your last days than you do on your first few days.

If you’re new to using tampons, we recommend using Tampax Pearl Compak. They have a rounded tip that makes them extra comfortable and easy to insert.

Most importantly, don’t stress if you don’t get it on the first few tries. Practice makes perfect. You’ll get it eventually – we’re sure of it!

Check out Tampax’s new step-by-step guide to tampons and watch super helpful videos from a partnership with Tyla: