Wed. Sep 09, 2009 | 7:07 AM

If you're not an old pro, tampons can be a scary part of getting "your friend."

But you don't have to hide from those little applicator tubes any more! Every tampon user knows there are some basic fundamentals to working this tiny object and once you master them, you can turn tampons from terrors to true friends in no time.

Check out the tips below for using tampons for the first time, and leave a tip of your own.

Not All Tampons Are Created Equal
Size doesn't matter? It sure does. If you're trying to figure out a tampon and picking up a Super Plus, it's not gunna work. Pick up a Petite or Small before heading to the big boys.

You Need A Lil' Push And Shove
Sure the applicator-less tampons are so cute and tiny, but come on, a little push in the right direction never hurt anyone. Find a tampon with applicators for easier insertion. Oh, and lots of first-timers swear by the plastic kind.

The Oasis in The Sahara
Don't freak out if you're a little dry down there- it happens to everyone at some point. You can try using a lil bit of water on your tampons. Dab some on the tippy top so you don't cause any damage to your dry goods.

The Proof is in The Putting
Sit or stand? Leg up or leg down? Truth is, you have got to find your own preference. Some ladies have an easier time popping a squat; others like to stand in Cirque du Soleil-style contortions. Try a few poses and figure out what works for you.

Hello? Is There Anybody in There?
Worried about losing that little guy way up there? The string is your friend! If you place the tampon correctly, there's no chance that it can squirm up into nether regions. Plus, our bodies openings are actually too small for a tampon to slip all the way through.

TSS Is Coming for You!
No, it isn't. Responsible tampon users know to check the box for absorbency levels before shoving anything anywhere. Use the very lowest absorbency required for your level of flow, and you'll be okay. Also, carry a bunch with you; you should be swapping tampons every 6 to 8 hours.

Tell Us: Do you have any monthly methods for dealing with tampons?


NEXT: What Do You Call It?
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I'm Rizza and I'm from Philippines. Tampons here in our country are not. We use sanitary napkins. I'm afraid to use tampons because I'm afraid to lose my virginity.
Posted by Rizza 11/13/09 7:49 AM
 
Forget tampons, use a menstrual cup! Better for your vagina than a bleached piece of cotton any day.
Posted by Sere 11/10/09 9:24 PM
 
hey tyra im 15 and have been tring to where tampons but everytime i try it hurts i dont know if im doing it right or not
Posted by karen 11/10/09 3:40 PM
 
Hi Tyra, I had to leave this comment before I forgot. I saw your show about using tampons and decided to give it another try (after years of wearing pads). I have to admit I have changed my prefrence FOREVER. The biggest problem was getting it in and feeling comfortable; I now love tampons. So Thankx !!
Posted by Christina 10/30/09 6:35 PM
 
hi tyra,my name is melissa i started at 12and pads are so uncomportable but i wehat to try tampons
Posted by melissa 10/30/09 9:39 AM
 
Very nice site!
Posted by Pharmd306 10/30/09 1:24 AM
 
omg tammpons are are grossssss ugh they hurt so bad tha first time i wore it it made me cry girls trying to wear them i dont recommend it because youuu will cry ur but off especially to take it off dont belive every thing people say !!!!!!!!!!! and no you dont lose ur virginity but still it HURTS REALLY REALLY REALLY BAD
Posted by vanessa v. 10/29/09 2:47 PM
 
I completely understand the difficulty in tampons. I never tried it at first. I was only twelve and much too scared to stick anything up there. As pads became too bulky and the periods became more painful I was throwing away panties like toilet paper. Eventually it got so bad that I had to go on birth control, and I'm still a virgin! No other pharmaceuticals would help. Then my periods became more manageable so I decided to make my feminine hygiene products easier too! I bought a pack of regular old plastic applicator tampons, (the smallest you can get), and every few days I would try, take it out and wait a few more days to try again. I have so many scary and funny stories of that time. And now I'm 16 and freely using whatever tampon I want! Don't give up girls and never be afraid to see your doctor!
Posted by Chelsea 10/28/09 2:32 PM
 
hi Tara i started my period a year ago ireally want to be able to use them i cant get the nerve to try for a whole day i end up hurting & taking them out.
Posted by crystal 10/13/09 3:38 PM
 
heyy tyra!! well i love using tampons.. i dont know what i would do w/o them! i mean at night i wear a pad and a tampon just in case of leaks. but i never wear them any other time than that! i started waering them when i was 11 or 12 and now i am 17. first timers it will be easy!!!
Posted by donnii boo 10/12/09 12:18 PM
 
I'm 15 and always wanted to try tampons but my step mom never got me any like she promised so I thought I wold get them myself. So I did.I don't know why i'm just not really nervous when I try them.I used playtex gentle glide slender light beacuse its my first time and its small.I got it in on my first try but I didn't push it in far enough.I don't know why. I tried so many times but I keep not pushing in deep enough. It dosen't really hurt it just feels uncomfortable it pinches a bit to put it in. Also since I took it out early when it wasnt absorbed yet it hurt really bad but I have a high pain tolerance and will keep trying again.Next time, I will take my time and make sure its deep enough.GIRLS RELAX
Posted by Danielle 10/01/09 4:35 PM
 
Hey Tyra! Your show’s the best! ;) I just turned 15, and I’ve been getting my period since 11. I can’t stand pads, like seriously. I moan whenever my period starts because pads are really uncomfortable and I live in a summer country so that makes it icky. But I’ve never tried tampons but I want to try soon. But it seems super scary, I’ve been reading stuff about toxic shock symdrome, and like hor painful it is to put it in. And also like, I’m not sure how to put it in! Like, the tampon seems so much bigger than where it’s supposed to go. Help!
Posted by Kimberly 10/01/09 5:16 AM
 
HI! :) I just wanna say to everyone who think's that they can lose their virgin by using a tampon. THATS NOT TRUE, and don't morry you'll be fine and if your mom says you should't wear a tampong u can buy it by yous self and have it in your purse or somewhere :D
Posted by Alex 09/29/09 10:30 AM
 
my friends asked me before if i had a tampon on me to give to them because they got there period and i said i dont use tampons and they were looking at me like it was a law to use one instead of a pad hahaha . . . anyways ever since then ive been really curious with one but i never had the guts to actually use one. im so scared if i put it in wrong or something and the way i see a tampon is like a cork to stop those big barrels from leaking out or something hahha i really hope to learn how to use them one of these days but any more advice tyra ?
Posted by anonymous 09/26/09 11:36 AM
 
th females in my family tell me not to put on a tampon because i can lose my virginity if i push it in too hard or if any of my family finds out they might suspect that i'm having sex. is that true or is that really dumb. i want to wear tampons cause i hate pads it feels like i'm wearing an oversized diaper
Posted by gabbs 09/22/09 4:05 PM



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