No matter how old I get, the discomfort that comes over me when I have to insert a tampon will never go away. Maybe that’s because my first experience didn’t go as smoothly as I’d hoped. I consulted my mom, my cousin, and a couple of my friends beforehand, asking them all, “Do tampons hurt?” But even when they assured me they wouldn’t, I still didn’t feel prepared.
After a few attempts the first time, I threw it away and opted for a pad instead. I didn’t try again until I felt like I had to, which was some months later when tragedy or coincidence brought me my period on a beach day. Even then, I was uncomfortable, and it took me 15 minutes to figure it out.
To this day, I tend to choose pads over tampons whenever possible because inserting a tampon is still such a process. If you’re anything like me and find yourself wondering, “Why does my tampon hurt when I take it out?” — stick around. We asked MDs all of our burning questions about tampons including, “Why do tampons hurt?” and “How do you make a tampon less painful?”
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Why Do Tampons Hurt?
If you find tampons uncomfortable, it’s possible that one of the reasons below explains why. From inserting it at the wrong angle to vaginal dryness, here are 6 of the most common reasons your tampon hurts, plus how to make it less painful.
You haven’t inserted the tampon deeply enough.
“A tampon should never hurt if properly inserted inside the vagina,” Sherry A. Ross, MD, author of “She-ology” and “She-ology, The She-quel: Let’s Continue the Conversation,” tells POPSUGAR. “If the tampon is not inserted deep inside the vagina, it can be halfway in and halfway out, causing discomfort, especially at the vaginal opening.” Thus, the first step in avoiding any discomfort is making sure you’re guiding the applicator in until the finger grip is flush with the vaginal opening. This should ensure proper placement.
You’re approaching it from the wrong angle.
If you can’t put in a tampon in or you’re finding it uncomfortable to do so, you may be trying to push it straight up instead of at an angle. “Aim back,” explains Heather Bartos, MD, a board-certified ob-gyn. “Not up. Never straight up.” Gynecologist Alyssa Dweck, MD, agrees that the angle of application is key. “Insure you are in a comfortable position — most people squat, sit on the toilet, or put one leg up on the tub, for example — for ease of insertion,” she tells POPSUGAR. If you lift one leg up, “this allows the angle of the vagina to be more parallel to the tampon, which makes insertion easier,” she says.
The tampon itself is the problem.
It’s possible the tampon you selected may simply be too absorbent for your flow. “It’s best to choose the lightest absorbency tampon appropriate for your flow; otherwise, there can be a drying out of the tissue inside and discomfort,” Dr. Dweck says. For beginners, it’s best to start with “Regular” flow tampons, which can hold six to nine grams of menstrual blood. But if you find that you are bleeding through them often, you can move to “Super” or even “Super Plus.”
There’s fragrance in the tampons.
This can lead to allergic reactions and irritation in some. Look for fragrance-free tampons (or even organic tampons) instead, if you suspect this is the issue.
The applicator could occasionally aggravate the vaginal opening.
This is especially true for plastic applicators if one of the ‘petals’ is bent or protruding.” If any of these issues apply, try a new tampon, a new tampon brand, or tampon absorbency, and see if that eases the discomfort.
You need more lubrication.
It’s easier to insert a tampon when your flow is at its heaviest. When it’s not, Dr. Bartos recommends adding lubrication, using either coconut oil or lube. Lightly apply either one to the tip of the applicator before inserting the tampon to make for a smoother experience.
Do Tampons Make Cramps Worse?
No, tampons do not make cramps worse, ob-gyn Sameena Rahman, MD, confirms. “Period cramps are due to contractions in the uterus,” she says, and tampons do not come into contact with the uterus or have anything to do with the contractions that may come from the uterus. However, if you leave your tampon in for a long period of time, this could result in toxic-shock syndrome, which could result in cramps feeling worse, says ob-gyn Michael Green, MD. You can avoid this by changing your tampon every four to eight hours, as recommended by the FDA.
Could Your Tampon Struggles Be a Sign of Larger Problem?
If you spend any time googling questions about vaginal discomfort, you’ll find sources — some legit and some not — that suggest there’s a link between tampon-induced pain and painful sex. “Some people have a condition called vaginismus, which is like a chronic involuntary muscle tightness. This can make tampons and sex both very painful,” Dr. Bartos explains. However, she’s quick to point out that “tampons and sex aren’t always painful together,” for all the reasons listed above.
There are however certain conditions, like dyspareunia (persistent or recurrent genital pain that occurs before, during or after sex), that can result in pain with penetration, including tampon use, per Mayo Clinic — and endometriosis which can cause pain or discomfort during sex and tampon insertion.
Dr. Dweck notes that there can be other physical causes of painful periods and sex, too. “Occasionally, pain at the vaginal opening could be due to an imperforate hymen — a residual membrane at the opening that you are born with — which can make for painful or impossible penetration with a tampon or sex,” she says. “This should be addressed by your gynecologist.”
But ultimately, any concerns you have regarding pain and tampons can be brought up with your healthcare provider. They’ll be able to assess your symptoms and point you in the right direction for period products and your overall health.
Kaitlyn McLintock is a POPSUGAR contributor.
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