I have just used a tampon for the first time and it feels weird. I asked mum about it but she never wore them as her body rejected them as well as my sisters never used them either, so I was hoping to get some answers from others.

- Is it normal if I feel pressure and uncomfortable when I run, bend over, sit down, relax?
- How do I know if it's in far enough?
- Can I still go to the toilet if it's in?
- How long does it have to stay in for? When do I take it out?
- Is there anything else that is important for me to know?

Answers would be much appreciative :) <3 thanks

It is normal to feel pressure and yes they are uncomfortable when you first start using tampons. The tampon is in far enough when you can still feel the string to remove it. Tampons can be worn for up to 8 hours; remove it, insert another one.

You can use pads for daily use, and only use the tampons when you have physical school activities. Most women prefer pads all the time, except when swimming.

"Most women prefer pads all the time, except when swimming." Not just 'no', but HECK NO!!

Most women I know prefer tampons over pads, for many reasons. First, smell. A woman who is menstruating and using a pad will emit an odor that will very in strength and unpleasantness between women. Other people can smell it. Second, comfort. Wearing a pad makes me feel like I'm wearing a diaper and not at all good about any clothes I'm wearing.

A properly placed tampon will be noticeable, especially at first, but should not cause pain or discomfort. The mistake I made in my early use of tampons was not inserting them far enough inside, for fear they would "get lost". If they are not inserted far enough, they can cause discomfort and/or pain. The entire tampon should be inside of you with only the string hanging out, causing minimal discomfort. For example - if you have a bowel movement and push, it should not push the tampon out or any part of it - if it does, it is not in far enough. Third, convenience and discretion. Tampons are just easier to carry and hide without being so easily noticed.

As you get used to your cycle, you will also become more familiar with frequency they need to be changed as well as when you want to use jr. light, regular or heavy flow "sized" tampons. Getting to know your body and becoming familiar with what is actually "up there" by exploring it is a good place to start. It is not weird. Get a mirror, get comfortable and figure out what all you got "down there".

Yes, you can urinate and defecate with a tampon in, I prefer to tuck the string inside and away, in order to avoid either peeing or getting poop on it, then, after wiping, fishing it back out. Make sure to wash your hands both before and after tampon use. 8 hours is the maximum amount of time to wear one, if you bleed too much, it should be noticeable... leaking/fully soaked tampon and you would want to go up a "size" in tampon, or simply change it more frequently. Conversely, if, after 8 hours, it is painful and dry when you remove it, then consider going down a size, or switching to a liner/thin/light pad...

A couple good sites to read about the questions you might have:

How to insert a tampon | The Period Blog (http://www.theperiodblog.com/how-to-guides/how-to-insert-tampon/)

Tampon Tips for Teens (And Other New Users) (http://pms.about.com/od/hygiene/a/tampon_tips.htm)

Also, some other hints... it may be easier to try inserting a tampon the first time when you are bleeding, so there is some lubrication... it can be very difficult and painful to put a tampon in correctly when you are dry. Luckily, these days, they have the plastic, Tampax Pearl type that do not make it feel like you are tearing apart your vagina in an attempt to get that darn thing in where it belongs.

Good luck, don't give up. Talk to your Dr. if you are still frustrated/confused.