ok.. i want to wear a tampon to school.. but i dont want to have to change it while i am there.. is 9 hours just to long to have one in? because i wake up at 7 and get home from school around 4
208471
You definitely need to change the tampon more than once in 9 hours.  Safe usage means you use the tampon with the *lowest* capacity for your menstrual flow that would enable you to change it AT LEAST every 3-4 hours.  If you leave it in longer you may be at greater risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome - read the article in the link below.  Wash your hands BEFORE as well as after changing a tampon.  Tampax are a good brand because they have an applicator.  Follow these guidelines and you should be fine.
283750
yes, all you have to do is wear a tampon and you will be fine.  do not wear a pad. or i guess you can go without..but that isn't very good. good luck
386369
She's worried about Toxic Shock Syndrome (and you can ensure her that if you use them correctly, there is a very small chance you would get this, i.e. never leave them in too long) OR she's a total prude, like my mom and thinks that using tampons is slutty.\n\nI was on the swim team, too... and I told my mom I wouldn't skip practice because of my period and that I would use tampons. End of story. She agreed, but if I went to the store and bought them myself, how could she stop me?
220118
Hey,i went through  the same thing,tell your mom,you shouldn't be embarrassed,i am only 12 and just started a couple of months ago,go to beingagirl.com!The site should help  some but please tell her,every girl gos through it,my best friend thought she started but really had an infection that was bleeding,she was to embarrassed  to tell,just like you,and ended up nearly dying of lose of blood!i told her mom after a week and they rushed her  the ginolegest {a Doctor that takes care of your privet parts}and she was giving some meds and then was OK,my point is you should tell your parents because  they will understand,your mom got it at the same age as you probably!Today i passed out because off  mine,it really hurt,i too was rushed to my ginno.to have a quick check up!when you tell your parents {you have to tell them eventually because  every girl does it and then they will expect somethings up if you dont tell them!}they may take you to the  ginooligest which is just a doctor who will simply look at  your Virgina,stick a Little tool,like a tampon,into the whole  you have your period and then you will leave,you may have to do a little blood work but nothing major!In fact you may not have to go in till you become sexily active!Good luck!
615504
i like tampons a lot more. its not as messy and you don't have to worry so much about it going through to your pants. also, they're easier to hide.
467376
yeah i know me too, but im trying them next time it comes. umm it's kinda hard to explain but its something you get from wearing a tampon  for too long like over 8 hours at a time. just make sure to insert properly and don't go over 6 hours. i know your not supposed to wear them over 8 but i would be safe and go with 6. good luck :] \nwhat you get from TSS is nausea, vomiting, fever, etc. and you can possibly die from it . just use precautions and don't be afraid of using them, look at all the women across the world who wear tampons and are still ok! my bff yesterday just started using tampons and was afraid to use it and wasnt sure how to insert it but she got it in within 5 minutes since it was her first time and said she said she didn't feel it at all she just felt like she had to pee. don't worry, it takes time getting used to. you'll get the hang of it. jeez, i like went off topic there :P bahaha
313070
hell no. I wont wear them until I have to. First of all, you would smell, have a bulge under your dress, and well have pee all over you. If you have time to change yourself why dont you have time to sit over a toilet? I have not heard about this but its gross. Are women really that lazy? Is using the bathroom really that much of an inconvience?
208407
only use a tampon in the water. plus when u are in the water your period dosent flow as much. if you wear a pad, it will bloat up and fall apart in the water, and thats embarassing. so hold your breath put a tampon in and go have fun!! i mean your going to use a tampon sooner or later\ngood luck
535211
um.. try wearing a tampon and use a pad?
561754
Using tampons are fine.  The only time that it is not is if you have forgotten to take it out.  You will be able to feel the stopping point once you insert it.  They usually insert at a slant usually towards your back.  I would suggest for the first time to put your foot on the toilet seat to insert it until you get used to it.\n\nAll depending on your flow is the reason it may leak.  This is why tampons are good because you can go swimming.  If you are afraid of leakage use a panty liner.\n\nGood Luck,\n\nJosephine
97943
Tampons don't hurt. As a matter of fact, they can be a lot more comfortable than pads. I recommend trying Tampax Pearls - the applicator is a really smooth plastic, so they are REALLY easy to use. Some of the cheaper cardboard ones (which are really just as good) can be very slightly less comfortable to use. \n\nThe first time is really pretty weird, I have to admit. There are directions in every box, though, that are very helpful. Just take the box in the bathroom, lock the door, and take your time. Trust me, after the first time, it's really easy - no sweat. \n\nLet's see...tips...I agree with the person above - change the tampon frequently. Every 4-6 hours will probably do if you're in the middle of a really heavy "flow." If you're having a lighter day, you can go longer. It's perfectly alright to sleep with one in, too. Never put more than one in at a time - it seems bizarre, but I've heard of people doing it and it's just not a good idea. I know there are scary side effects listed on the side, but seriously, I've never even heard a second-hand account of anybody having trouble with toxic shock or any of that sort of thing. It's gotta be an extrodinarily rare thing - they must just have to put that on the box for legal reasons or something...a 'cover-your-a$$' kind of thing.\n\nOther than that, it's pretty stupid-proof. Women have been dealing with stuff for many many years - you can do it, and you'll be glad you gave it a try. They really are a lot easier to deal with than pads. Anyway - Welcome to the tampon club!! :)
554901
I had the same problem when I first used tampon. I used to apply pads before that.First 2/3 times of using Tampons were quite uncomfortable for me. The trick is you have to insert the 1st part of the tampon into your vagina until the wavy part of the stick. Then you hold the wavy part of the tampon with one hand and press the 2nd part ( which remains outside the vagina ). You may find that its not being inserted , you then press it with left-right and upward pressure. Once it has reached to the first part, you pull out both the parts. one string will be hanging from your vagina which is to pull out the tampon when you need to change.\n\nYou don't have to change the tampon  when you go to toilet. The tampon remains inside your vagina. So you can loo without changing it. You have to change tampon in every 4 hours. \n\nIts great for working girls. You can wear tight cloths, swim with tampon. Its comfortable once you get used to it.
190959
Your period will not be consistent for about a year or two, so you shouldn't worry if you have a heavy period, but the definition of a heavy period would probably be changing a tampon every 30 minutes and it is a Super.  That is heavy, but heavy is really anything that you are not used to and you need to give it some time before you know that info.  You will know when to change your tampon when you wipe and see a little red on the TP, or at least this is how I did it, but don't leave the same tampon in for too long as you can get bacterial infections because the bacteria will adhere to the tampon if it is not soaking up blood.  You will figure it out with experience, and yes, you can sleep with a tampon in, just make sure that during the peak of you period, the 2nd or 3rd day when it is the heaviest, wear a tampon to fit your flow.  I know this all sounds weird, but really, it will come to you.  Oh, I am saying tampons because that it all I wear, but didn't start my period til I was 15 and I was a virgin  and assuming you are too, and it was uncomfortable to wear tampons cause I didn't know my body well enough to figure out how to insert them.  Also, if the hymen is not broken, the tampon might not insert as well or it will hurt.  You can tell when to change your pad and I would do this often as they can create a smell cause they are worn outside of the body.   sorry, It has been a long time since I have had to think about a first period, but I wish you the best.
660019
Hey im 12 and got my period at your age. Wear a pad. Thats what im wearing now, Don't worry. I knew about this WAAAAY before you but we learn at diffrent ages. don't be afraid to ask your mother or another female. Even a dad or uncle is ok too. I don't get alot of cramps but I usually sleep for awhile. I have PMS thats pre menstral syndrome. That means im irritated and have symptoms earlier. Don't wear tampons at your age either. Stick with pads unless your parents say somthing. In school try to be the same as usual. You also might bloat. If period symptoms get in the way get some midol. (sp?) Also when wearing a pad try to stay away from swimming or somthing like that. For sleeping use overnight pads. If you don't have any use a normal pad and put a dark towel under you. Stay away from light clothing. If it gets stained it'll be seen like white on black. During your period wear red,dark blue,black etc. So if its stained its hard to notice. If you ever see a red stain on your pants then welcome to the woman race. Also if you have vaginal discharge (White creamy stuff) on that 'area' Then its close to coming. Be prepared. Trust me I found out I had mine because I wore a white nightgown to bed that night. I didn't know it was there until my mom literally yelled it to me infront of my brother. So if you get yours tell her. Don't make her have to shout it like its the fourth of July.  You may also get some other hormones around this time like starting to like boys. You don't have to wonder 'What the heck? I like a boy!' like I did. But don't let it get outta hand. All a period is is when an egg dies inside you. It bleeds and thats what causes a period. It isn't just blood. It can be tiny little clots of it too. This is normal to have. A period should last from 3 to 10  days. You should only get it once a month. Light or heavy be prepared. For light periods get To-Go pads instead of using a big pad. For heavy ones get thick pads. for inbetween use normal. Try to relax during a period too. Don't overdo it either. If you do you get irritated and snap at people and don't mean to. I did this alot and got into trouble. Save yourself a lecture and don't overdo it and relax. Bring a small bag to school in your backpack or somthing and put in extra underwear and pads or tampons if thats what your parents want you to use. You'll thank yourself if you do that so you don't make it public cause somtimes people are busybodies and try to see what you're doing. Do this if you are embarrased about asking for a pad at school from your male/female teacher. But don't be they do this all the time.\n\n\nIf you wanna talk email me at:\n\nsatinfairy@bellsouth.net\n\nOR use IM\n\nYIM\nqueen_zelda2002@yahoo.com\n\nMSN\nsatinfairy@bellsouth.net\n\nAIM\nsatinfairy
108039
1st off...you don't want to use tampons yet...unless you have to swim during that time, and when you do, use the lightest absorbancy there is (jr lites). Follow the direcetion on the leaflet in the box.   Also, every ones cycle is a bit different.  Usually 3-6 days is normal, changing pads or tampons about every 6 hrs. Good luck, and welcome to Womanhood.
248578
Tampons are inserted and absorb the blood so you can walk around dry and safe all day but you might feel like having a swollen belly, not so nice, and if you forget to take them out after 3/4 hours you might get unsettled and perhaps faint... pads are stuck inside your pants, you'll know when to change those for sure. They may smell but if you change them at the right time (also 3-4 hours on the average) they'll do.\n\nTampons can be worn while swimming.
264794
you should be ok if you took it at 4:20 when you woke up.  but just to be sure, let your GYN know.