As helpful as it would have been, most of us didn’t take a Tampons 101 class when we first got our periods. This left us with many tampon-related questions, such as: Can I sleep with a tampon in? Do I need to change it after I pee? How do I know if it’s inserted correctly?
These are just some of the questions that might be swirling in your mind, even if you’ve been using tampons for years.
Even though tampons are safe to use, it’s important you use them correctly. If you use a tampon incorrectly, you could risk your own health, or at the very least, end up in a messy situation.
To clear things up once and for all, we’re breaking down all the tampon dos and don'ts you need to know about. Be sure to check out our organic cotton tampons and other period care items designed for women by women to keep you looking and feeling your best all cycle long.
Tampon Dos
1. Do wear organic tampons.
Organic tampons aren’t just trendy. They are better for your body, and a definite do. Traditional period products are laced with chemicals and harmful toxins. Rael’s Organic Cotton Tampons, on the other hand, don’t contain any fragrances, chlorine, pesticides, GMOs, or dyes.
What could happen if you wear a non-organic tampon? Maybe nothing, or maybe something. It’s really about using them repeatedly. One non-organic tampon isn’t going to hurt you (although you may find it irritating to your most sensitive area), but using non-organic tampons over time can expose your body to chemicals that are known to disrupt your endocrine system.
2. Do insert the tampon far enough.
How do you know if you’ve inserted a tampon correctly? You don’t feel it at all. If you do feel it or have any sort of discomfort, you probably didn’t insert it deep enough into the vagina. The trick is to push the tampon up towards your back as deep as it will go.
If you can feel the bottom of the tampon protruding, you can attempt to push it further back. If that doesn’t work, you may need to remove that one and try again with another. Just so you know, a tampon cannot get lost inside of your body, so you never need to worry about that happening.
3. Do change your tampon after swimming.
When you take a dip in the swimming pool or the ocean, your tampon gets soaked in chlorine or salt-filled water. It’s important to change it out once you get out of the water to avoid any irritation.
You can still get protection from a tampon while swimming, but because you are submerged in water, the tampon won’t have the same amount of absorption, so you’ll also need to take that into consideration.
In other words, if you’re normally able to wear a regular tampon for four hours, you may only be able to wear it for half that amount of time if you’re swimming.
4. Do change your tampon after you use the restroom (mostly).
Technically, this one is totally optional. You don’t have to swap out your tampon every time you pee or move your bowels. However, we’re putting it into the do category because, let’s be honest, walking around with a tampon string that’s been peed on or could have potentially picked up bacteria from your bowels is no fun.
However, if you pee frequently (every hour or two), you probably won’t want to change your tampon every time, as this can cause dryness and irritate your vagina. Plus, you’ll end up going through a lot of tampons!
Pooping is a little different though, especially because you can push your tampon down during any straining. In this case, you might want to change your tampon for comfort’s sake. Any bacteria that gets on your tampon string is a potential risk for infection, so changing your tampon after pooping is always a good idea.
5. Do buy tampons with an easy applicator.
Whether you’re a tampon newbie or a seasoned pro, we can all agree that tampons with smooth applicators make all the difference. Rael’s Organic BPA-free tampons, for example, are a dream to insert thanks to their ultra-thin applicator.
Applicators make all the difference when inserting tampons. If you’re still having trouble inserting a tampon with an easy applicator, you can apply a dab of lubrication to the tip to help it glide in more easily.
6. Don’t use expired tampons.
Yes, tampons do have an expiration date. It’s usually five years after they were made. So if you find some old tampons way in the back of your bathroom sink, it’s probably best to buy some fresh ones. Cotton is prone to attract mold and bacteria over time, especially if you store them in a place where there’s a lot of moisture, like the bathroom.
Additionally, the materials that make up tampons can become less absorbent as time passes. You could be in for an unwanted surprise if your tampon doesn’t last as long as it normally does.
GET RAEL
Rael is your go-to source for holistic, natural period care. Our tampons are crafted from 100% certified organic Texas cotton, and nothing else. You won’t find chemicals, dyes, fragrances, viscose, or bleaching ingredients in our tampons. Want more? How about BPA-free or cardboard applicators? We’ve got those, too.
We believe your period should make you feel empowered to take on the world, and with the right period care products, it can. Trust Rael to give you access to the safest, most comfortable period care products.