I have a question about tampons. I am 14 years old and a freshman in high school and I have had my period for about 2 years. I have a very heavy flow and I have never been able to insert a tampon and it is extremely frustrating. I have gone through many different brands and nothing ever works. I have tried the super thin and the very light, nothing. Is it my body? It's frustrating because my period always comes at the end of the month, for me that is the worst time, that is when winter break, spring break, my birthday, Christmas, that's when it all comes and I'd like to be able to swim or something during those times, but I never can. Plus, in sophomore year I have to do a swim unit for a semester and I'm already concerned about it because of this problem.

Any advice?

Hun, have you talked to your mother about this? Are you a virgin? If you are a virgin it may be because you still have your hymen intact, this can cause wearing a tampon to be very uncomfortable.

Have you ever had a women's health exam? Your doctor could probably tell you if it is a physical problem or not. Personally, I couldn't put them it when I was your age either. It wasn't a physical thing in my case, but after a couple years, I could put them in. I think I was just doing it wrong and eventually figured it out, lol! And if you are a virgin that could be the deal too. But, yes, for some women tampons are uncomfortable or painful to insert. It helps to take deep breaths and try to relax the muscles. If you're tense, you'll have more trouble.

If you have your period during the swim unit, you can probably have your parent or guardian write you an excuse. I had mine during my swim unit in P.E. (long time ago, lol) and I had my mom write me a note. I was excused for the week. If anyone in your class asks and you don't want to talk about it, just tell them you have stomach problems or something. Also, it might help to ask your P.E. teacher about it ahead of time. I'm sure if she knows that you can't use tampons, she will understand.

Okay thank you.

Yes I am a virgin, I was just making sure that there wasn't anything wrong with my body or something like that. Almost all my friends wear tampons and I wish I could, I find pads to be extremely uncomfortable (probably due to my heavy flow, sitting in class is sooo uncomfortable!) but thank you for your answers. I have talked to my mother about it in the past but she just says to use pads, she usually says my body probably isn't right for tampons because she's never been able to wear them either.

Thank you for your help. It was just making me concerned because it has been 2 1/2 years since my first period and I figured I would be able to get a tampon in by now. I was just curious!

The vagina angles back, so you can't insert a tampon straight up. (AMA (Atlas) Female Reproductive Organs) There are strong muscles at the opening that have to be eased past too. And just because you've had your period for two-plus years doesn't mean the opening has gotten larger or the hymen has stretched. Like others have suggested, a visit to a (woman?) doctor who will check this part of your anatomy and show you how to insert a tampon will relieve your mind.