Dear Crazy_Gal,

Many girls feel anxious about using tampons the first time. Tampons fit inside the vagina. The walls of the vagina hold the tampon in place. A tampon can't get lost inside a woman and move to another part of the body. It stays inside the vagina until it's removed. Putting a tampon in your vagina shouldn't be painful. But it may hurt if you are not relaxed. You may experience some discomfort until you become comfortable inserting the tampon. Once a tampon has been inserted all the way to the back of the vagina, it can't be felt. Each tampon has a string that hangs out of the vagina. Slowly pulling the string removes the tampon easily.

Here are some tips to make using tampons easier:

• Some women ask someone to show them how to correctly place it in their vaginas. Maybe you can ask your mother, older sister, or another woman you trust to help you.
• Be sure to read detailed instructions for tampon insertion — most boxes of tampons come with these instructions.
• Use unscented tampons with soft, tube-shaped applicators when you first begin.
• Change your tampon every three or four hours to prevent stains on your clothes, odor, and possible vaginal infection.
• Don't use "high absorbency" tampons throughout your period — check the label for how absorbent the tampon is, and adjust the absorbency rates according to your needs.
• Use cold water and soap to remove any stains that get on your clothes.
• You can flush tampons but not applicators. Throw applicators away in the trash.
• Some health care providers advise using pads instead of tampons while you sleep.

Using a tampon may seem a little strange at first. Try different types until you decide what you like best.

Hope this information helps!

Take care,

teenwire.com^® Editors

This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a medical problem, please call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN for an appointment with the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.