Non-Applicator Tampons, the Earth Friendly Option.
Non-applicator tampons are just like other tampons minus the applicator. They tend to be smaller than applicator tampons and are more eco-friendly :D
This is what they look like.
This is what they look like.
Some come in cute wrappers too!
Here you can clearly see the size difference between light, regular and super but the average tampon is 5cm (2 inches) long so not big at all. They also have a rounded tip to make them easier to insert. They come in small cardboard boxes that often look like this.
Non applicator tampons are said to be difficult and gross to insert but they're really not a big deal! Here are some steps to follow.
♥ First step is to decide what tampons you are going to use. There are lots of brands you can choose from at your supermarket, look for ones that say "small," "rounded tip" and "easy to insert" on the box. Do not get super tampons. You want the lowest absorbency possible so that the tampon is smaller and it will come out easily, if you find they leak then you can then switch to a higher absorbency.
♥ Don't over think it! There's no harm in trying, no one is there to judge you. Take a box of tampons into the bathroom and take all the time you need. If you can't get it in at least you tried!
Tip: When you first use a tampon you should use it during the heaviest part of your period. It will make it easier to insert and remove.
♥ Wash your hands. It's absolutely essential you do this because your finger will be going inside your vagina and you don't want to get an infection. If you're in a public toilet and don't want to look weird washing your hands before going into the cubical then carry hand sanitizer in your bag or purse.
♥ Breathe and stay calm. If you're tense it will make it painful to insert. You could listen to some music as a distraction. Sing along so you're focusing on something else.
♥ Get into a comfortable position. Place one leg on the toilet, sit on the toilet with your legs spread apart, or stand with your legs apart and bend your knees. I recommend the second position. It's the easiest to get into, most practical for public toilets, the most comfortable and you won't drip onto the floor of the bathroom.
♥ First step is to decide what tampons you are going to use. There are lots of brands you can choose from at your supermarket, look for ones that say "small," "rounded tip" and "easy to insert" on the box. Do not get super tampons. You want the lowest absorbency possible so that the tampon is smaller and it will come out easily, if you find they leak then you can then switch to a higher absorbency.
♥ Don't over think it! There's no harm in trying, no one is there to judge you. Take a box of tampons into the bathroom and take all the time you need. If you can't get it in at least you tried!
Tip: When you first use a tampon you should use it during the heaviest part of your period. It will make it easier to insert and remove.
♥ Wash your hands. It's absolutely essential you do this because your finger will be going inside your vagina and you don't want to get an infection. If you're in a public toilet and don't want to look weird washing your hands before going into the cubical then carry hand sanitizer in your bag or purse.
♥ Breathe and stay calm. If you're tense it will make it painful to insert. You could listen to some music as a distraction. Sing along so you're focusing on something else.
♥ Get into a comfortable position. Place one leg on the toilet, sit on the toilet with your legs spread apart, or stand with your legs apart and bend your knees. I recommend the second position. It's the easiest to get into, most practical for public toilets, the most comfortable and you won't drip onto the floor of the bathroom.
♥ Unwrap the bottom half of the tampon. Some have arrows around the middle of the wrapper, twist the arrows in opposite directions to open. Others have a coloured strip around the middle of the tampon, simply pull this to unwrap the tampon. Both of these wrappers cut the wrapper in half, only remove the bottom half of the wrapper.
♥ Holding the part of the tampon still wrapped (to avoid as much contact with the tampon as possible to prevent infection) pull out the string.
♥ Remove the top half of the tampon wrapper.
♥ With one hand (the hand you don't write with) gently open the folds that cover the vagina. If you find it gross because it's bloody then clean yourself with some wipes first.
♥ With the hand you write with use your index finger to push the tampon up into the vagina. Aim for your back because your vagina is on a slant. If you're finding it hard to insert the tampon up try twisting it as you push it up.
♥ The tampon is in the right place when your whole finger is inside the vagina or you feel resistance (can't push it in any further). It's normal to feel the tampon go off to the side when you're inserting it. Don't worry it can't get lost!
♥ Wash your hands again and you're done!
♥ To remove the tampon pull the string on the same slant you inserted it. Pull the string slowly, if the tampon is fully saturated it should slide out easily (that's why you should use a light tampon) the tampon will be slightly larger than when it went in but shouldn't cause too much discomfort.
Did none of that make any sense? Watch this instead!
Tampons will probably feel uncomfortable to insert and remove the first few times if you're a virgin but your vagina will stretch and they'll become more comfortable. It might also seem like they take a while to insert but with practice you'll get faster and faster!
Tampon instructions say that you shouldn't feel a tampon if it's inserted properly. This is partly true. If you find it very uncomfortable then it's in the wrong position. If you can slightly feel it in some positions I would say that's normal. When you first use a tampon it's the thing that's on your mind so you will probably notice a slightly different feeling but if you go off and do your normal daily activities you should forget about it. You might also be able to feel the tampon for the first 10 minutes or so because it hasn't absorbed any blood, once it does it shouldn't be felt. Jumping around a bit can put the tampon in the right position.
If you've tried tampons multiple times and you can still feel it might be too big for your body. Try another (smaller) brand.
For more information read the tampon instructions or ask an older sister, mum or trusted female relative.