To put in a tampon while sitting on the toilet, sit with your knees wide apart (or one leg up), relax deeply (deep breaths help!), aim the applicator slightly towards your lower back (not straight up), insert up to the grip, push the inner tube to release the tampon, and then gently pull out the applicator, leaving the string hanging. You shouldn't feel it if it's inserted correctly; if you do, try pushing it further or starting over with a new one, and always remember to dispose of the applicator in the trash, not the toilet.
You should sit on the toilet so that your uterus is tilted, that way the tampon doesn't hurt. Put the tampon in as far as it will go then use two fingers to hold it in place while you push the applicator in. Also, read the instructions, they say everything I said with pictures.
If your tampon comes out when you poo, it is likely to be caused by your pelvic muscles. It can help to eat foods that make it easier to poo and prevent constipation, to not strain during a bowel movement, and try alternative sanitary products, such as menstrual cups.
Period blood comes out of your vagina, which is connected to your uterus. Urine comes out of your urethra, which is connected to your bladder. So, when you insert a tampon, it's going into your vagina and leaving your urethra clear to urinate without any obstructions.
While there are some brands that claim to offer flushable tampon products, these can still be damaging to sewer pipes. The reason behind this is simple. Tampons do not break down in the toilet the same way that your everyday toilet paper does.
You know your tampon is full when you feel resistance pulling the string, notice blood on the string or in your underwear, or feel it inside you; however, for hygiene, you should change it every 4-8 hours regardless, as a "dry" tampon (not full) can be uncomfortable to remove, and a full one will leak. The best signs of fullness are leaking (blood on underwear) or the string appearing bloody, indicating it's saturated and needs changing soon.
The tampon isn't inserted correctly
Sometimes a leaky tampon can mean you haven't pushed it far enough into the vaginal canal or if you've inserted it at an awkward angle it may not effectively prevent leaks.
Tampons being flushed can lead to plumbing blockages, which may seem like an easy fix at first. However, this can lead to sewage backflows, which is not only an expensive issue to solve but can be a genuine health hazard, especially in public. Would you want to handle the mess of a bloodied, messed-up toilet?
Tampons falling out can be a sign of reduced pelvic floor support, changes after pregnancy or birth, constipation and straining, or altered coordination of the pelvic floor muscles. For some, it can also be an early sign of pelvic organ prolapse. This is common — but it's not something you have to just put up with.
Wash your hands first, then get a mini-sized tampon and make it slippery by putting some water-based lubricant on it. Some people might dab a tiny bit of Vaseline on the tip of the tampon instead. Vaseline shouldn't be put on tampons during a period, as it reduces absorbency.
Tampons come with instructions that explain how to use them. You shouldn't be able to feel a tampon inside you if you've inserted it correctly. You should change your tampon regularly – around every 4 to 6 hours depending on your flow. There's a rare risk of tampon-related toxic shock syndrome.
Neither tampons nor pads are inherently "better"; the best choice depends on your activity, flow, and comfort, with pads being great for beginners and nighttime, while tampons are preferred for swimming and sports, though they carry a small risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) if used improperly. Pads offer visible absorption and are good for lower flows or when not being active, but can feel bulky, while tampons offer freedom but require diligent 4-8 hour changes to prevent TSS. Many people use both, switching as needed for convenience, flow, or activity.
Some girls are born with a very small opening in the hymen, which prevents them from inserting tampons. However, this is true in only about 2% of teens. Others are just nervous the first time inserting a tampon and need practice.
What's the best tampon size for beginners? You might want to start with the smallest size tampon until you figure out what works best for you. We recommend trying Tampax Pearl Compak Regular – it's slender, easy to insert, and is designed for smooth removal on your lightest days.
There are biodegradable tampons on the market. Nevertheless, whether a tampon is made from 100% biodegradable materials or not, it should never be flushed. As mentioned, tampons can cause blockages in pipes and sewers.
Disposing of tampons
Those that do not contain plastic can disintegrate in 6 months, but most tampons have a plastic applicator or wrapper and remain on the planet for much longer than their users: it is estimated that they take up to 800 years to decompose.
You should never flush wet wipes (even "flushable" ones) or sanitary products (tampons, pads), as they don't break down like toilet paper and cause major sewer blockages; other common culprits include paper towels, tissues, cotton balls, hair, dental floss, and cooking fats/oils, which all contribute to clogs and "fatbergs".
So, next time you're wondering; “Can you flush a tampon down a toilet?”, the answer is “absolutely not” – no matter how tempting and convenient it might seem.
It doesn't mean that that side of you is bleeding; rather, it means that you left the tampon in there long enough to catch only that amount of blood which happened to fall on that side. It's recommended to change your tampon every four to eight hours – more frequently if it's a heavy flow.
You know your tampon is full when you feel resistance pulling the string, notice blood on the string or in your underwear, or feel it inside you; however, for hygiene, you should change it every 4-8 hours regardless, as a "dry" tampon (not full) can be uncomfortable to remove, and a full one will leak. The best signs of fullness are leaking (blood on underwear) or the string appearing bloody, indicating it's saturated and needs changing soon.
This is because pooping uses the pelvic floor muscles and the pressure from these can dislodge tampons in the vaginal canal.
Tampons are more likely to leak than pads because they can't always absorb all the blood flow. For those with heavy periods, using a combination of tampons and pads can help manage bleeding more effectively. Pads are better at absorbing blood, making them a good choice for people who are worried about leaks.
While it is not recommended to swim with a sanitary pad in place, both tampons and menstrual cups are completely safe to use internally. Many competitive swimmers use these options when participating in practices or events on their period. Period-friendly swimwear has also recently entered the market as an option.
Heavy periods aren't usually life-threatening, but they can be if you lose too much blood. Bleeding through two or more tampons or pads each hour for two to three hours in a row is a sign that you should see your provider or seek emergency care.