Is it normal for a tampon to not fit

The vaginal corona can be gradually diminished by basic daily physical activity, not just by inserting things like tampons, menstrual cups, toys, or fingers into the vagina.

The hormonal changes that occur as people mature through puberty can also change the shape and flexibility of the vaginal corona 2. Regardless of whether you use tampons or not, your vaginal corona if you had one to begin with will wear away over time. The anatomy and purpose of the vaginal corona is not very well understood, and more research is needed.

More than half of reported TSS cases are associated with tampon use, but it can affect people of any age—including men and children. Wearing a tampon for a long duration of time over 8 hours is associated with TSS 4. The symptoms of TSS start suddenly and can get worse quickly. Flu-like symptoms, such as a headache, chills, muscle aches, a sore throat and a cough. TSS is a medical emergency.

While these symptoms could be due an illness other than TSS, it's important to contact your healthcare provider or hospital as soon as possible if you have a combination of these symptoms.

It's very unlikely that you have TSS, but these symptoms shouldn't be ignored. If you have severe symptoms or your symptoms are getting rapidly worse, then go to your nearest hospital or call for an ambulance immediately. Use lower-absorbency tampons and change them more often , and avoid leaving a tampon in for more than 8 hours.

Alternately, you can use a different menstrual product, like pads or a menstrual cup. Menstrual cups are not considered a TSS risk. There has been only one documented case of TSS linked with using a menstrual cup, and this occurred when a woman scratched the inside of her vagina while inserting the cup 7. Use Clue to track your period—and to get a reminder when your next one is due. The best way to know if your tampon needs changing is to give a light pull on the tampon string. If it starts to pull out easily, then it's time to change it; if not, it usually means you can leave it a bit longer.

Do not leave a tampon in for more than 8 hours as this increases the risk for developing Toxic Shock Syndrome 8. A fully saturated light tampon can hold up to 3 mL of fluid, while a fully saturated super tampon may hold up to 12 mL 9, A normal amount of blood loss per period is between 5 mL to 80 mL Keep reading to learn how to remove the tampon.

If that happens, just use your finger to push the tampon farther in, and that usually fixes it! Your hymen may have a variation that makes it difficult to insert a tampon. The hymen is a thin and stretchy rim of tissue that surrounds the vaginal opening. Most hymens have a single opening in the middle that a tampon can easily pass through, but some have a very small opening or a septum which is a band of tissue that partially blocks the opening.

Most commonly, this condition develops after an injury or traumatic experience that may or may not involve the vagina. Vaginismus is not something you can control, but it IS something that can go away with treatment. Again, that would involve talking with your gynecologist who would probably have you work with a pelvic floor physical therapist - they can work wonders to treat vaginismus.

If you have trouble inserting a tampon or if you have persistent pain related to insertion, you should always get medical attention from a doctor you trust. Gynecologists deal with these things more than you would imagine. Now that you have mastered how to insert a tampon, it's time to learn how to remove a tampon.

When it's time to remove your tampon, first wash your hands. Next, get in a comfortable position, relax your body and use your hands to locate the tampon string. Next, you'll use your thumb and finger to grip the string and pull it slowly out of your vagina.

Properly dispose of your tampon in the trash. After you have removed the tampon, remember to wash your hands. TSS is a form of bacterial infection that can be potentially fatal when using super-absorbency tampons or leaving them in for extended periods of time. Symptoms can develop quickly and include:. Tampons are small, pocket-sized and discreet for girls to carry before or during their periods. By controlling the blood before it leaves the vagina, tampons are often more comfortable than wearing pads on their underwear.

This makes them a preferred source for active girls or those uncomfortable wearing pads. Tampons are also convenient when swimming during your period. Once you feel more comfortable with tampons, many women alternate between pads and tampons depending on their activities and flow of their period or wear tampons during the day and pads at night.

How To Insert A Tampon Tampons at a glance When a girl begins her period, she may use pads for the first several years until she becomes more familiar and comfortable inserting tampons. Tampons are pocket-sized cardboard or plastic applicators with an absorbent material that is inserted into the body to absorb menstrual blood.

Tampons should be changed every four to six hours — never leave a tampon in for more than eight hours to avoid Toxic Shock Syndrome TSS.

What are tampons? Read on to see if a menstrual cup like the DivaCup is right for you. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. How to Insert and Remove a Tampon Correctly. Medically reviewed by Janet Brito, Ph. Understanding the parts Applicator types Lubrication How to insert with an applicator How to insert without an applicator How to handle the string What it feels like How to know it's in right When to change it Potential risks of prolonged use How to remove it FAQ Takeaway Share on Pinterest.

Which part goes where? Does the type of applicator matter? Do you need lubrication? How do you actually insert the tampon? What do you do with the string? How do you know if you inserted it correctly? How often should you change it? How do you remove the tampon?

Other common concerns. The bottom line. Read this next. Tampons vs. Pads: The Ultimate Showdown. Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph. Do Tampons Expire? What You Need to Know. Medically reviewed by Suzanne Falck, MD.