Dear mookdog,

Tampons are inserted into the vagina through the vaginal opening. The vagina is the passageway from the outside of a woman's body to her reproductive organs. The opening of the vagina is in the middle of the vulva. It is located below the opening of the urethra, from which urine flows. The vulva is made up of the outer and inner lips (labia), the clitoris, the opening to the urethra, and the opening to the vagina.

The vagina is the organ through which menstrual and other vaginal fluids flow. It serves as the birth canal during childbirth. And it is where a woman accepts the insertion of a man's penis during vaginal intercourse.

A girl can insert the tampon into her vagina using an applicator or her finger. A string is attached for easy removal. Tampons come in different sizes and absorbency levels, and you choose which one is right for you based on how heavy your flow is and what size fits your body best. If a girl is trying tampons for the first time, she may want to start with the smallest size.

If you feel very comfortable with your mom, your sister, or another woman relative, you can ask them to show you how to use a tampon. Though instructions are included in the box that tampons come in, they aren't always easy to figure out. You might want to examine a tampon before trying to insert one in order to understand how it works.

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.