Using a tampon is kind of a no-brainer, right? You pop one in, wait four to six hours, pull it out and repeat. Turns out, there are a lot of ways you could be using your tampon wrong. In fact, we’re willing to bet you’re guilty of at least one of the below mistakes. Show
Let’s start with the basics: You might be putting your tampon in wrong. How do you know if you inserted a tampon wrong? Well for starters, it’ll hurt. “Pain is never a normal thing,” explains Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz, MD, an OB/GYN at Women’s Care of Beverly Hills. If you have a tampon in correctly, you should barely be able to feel it throughout the day. Wondering why you keep putting your tampon in wrong? Hint: It probably has to do with not understanding your body and the right angle of insertion (but more on that later). Already putting your tampons in right? Good for you. But there are still a lot of tampon rules left to learn. Like should you change tampons every time you pee? Yeah, that’s gonna be a yes from us (and one of the gynecologists we talked to). What about sleeping with a tampon in, is that cool? Let’s learn some helpful things, shall we? This content is imported from {embed-name}. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Ladies with an extra heavy flow, you know what we’re talking about. But putting two tampons in at once for more absorption is never a good idea, says Dr. Gilberg-Lenz. “If you need two tampons, you should be using a super plus. And if you’re bleeding so heavily that that’s not enough, you need to go see your doctor.” You Sleep With a Tampon InAccording to Dr. Gilberg-Lenz, this is asking for trouble (aka an infection). You’re better off playing it safe by sleeping with an overnight pad, she says. Menstrual cups (if you don't have an IUD) are a great option for bedtime, too, because they can be left in for up to 12 hours. You Don’t Know Where Your Tampon Is GoingUsing a tampon is a great opportunity to learn about your anatomy, says Dr. Gilberg-Lenz. If you’re having trouble getting a tampon in, take some time to look at vag diagrams, like this one from the Cleveland Clinic, and use a hand mirror to find your way around and even stick your finger (clean, please) inside to get to know your body better. You Leave Tampons Loose in Your PurseLook, we’ve all thrown a handful of tampons in our bag on our way out the door. But don’t. That’s how they end up with torn wrappers. You’re much better off storing them in a pouch or little compartment in your purse, says Dr. Gilberg-Lenz. You Don’t Keep Track of How Long You’ve Had Your Tampon inYou should change your tampon at least every eight hours to avoid developing toxic shock syndrome (TSS), a potentially deadly disease, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. It can be easy to forget when exactly you put your last one in, so if you’re super forgetful, set an alarm for four to six hours from when you insert your tampon to make sure you change it. “If you’re like, ‘Did I put one in?’ ‘Did I not?’ you take your pointer finger or your middle finger and learn to feel if you’re not sure,” says Dr. Ross. You only wash your hands after insertion.Washing your hands before you get all up in there helps prevent contaminating your tampon on its way into your vagina, says Alyssa Dweck, MD, a gynecologist in Westchester, New York and coauthor of The Complete A to Z for Your V. You don’t insert the tampon in far enough.You’ll know because you’ll feel it: A too-shallow tampon will be super uncomfortable—you may even feel the cotton edge at the entrance to the vagina, Dr. Dweck says. (You shouldn’t sense anything when it’s properly positioned.) You only use one absorbency level.Although unlikely, tampons can cause toxic shock syndrome. Higher-absorbency tampons increase the risk of TSS, according to the Mayo Clinic, so it’s smart to use them only when you absolutely need to stop a super-heavy flow, Dr. Dweck says. The amount of blood can change from day to day throughout your period. Although supers might be a godsend on days one and two of your cycle, you’ll want to switch to a regular or light-absorbency product toward the end of the week. It’s also worth noting that using a super-absorbent tampon when you have a lighter flow can dry out your vaginal tissue, says Lona Prasad, MD, a gynecologist at NewYork-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City. In fact, researchers found that vaginal dryness was closely linked to women who used super-absorbent tampons, according to a study published in the European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology. That dryness can create tears or cracks in your vaginal walls, which increase your risk of infection, she says. You only change your tampon once a day.Even with a light flow, you should change that bad boy every four to eight hours, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. That’s because a moist tampon makes a warm, cozy home for bacteria. And the longer it’s in there, the greater your risk of TSS, Dr. Dweck says. You use tampons to plug discharge.Although it’s normal to experience discharge in the middle of your cycle, you shouldn’t need a tampon at that point. Stick it in, and you could disrupt the healthy vaginal bacteria that produce lactic acid, says Dr. Dweck. Reducing the vagina’s acidity can allow harmful bacteria to thrive and cause an infection, like bacterial vaginosis, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. If discharge still feels excessive, don’t just cork it; go to your doctor to get checked out. You use a tampon the day after your period ends (just in case!).Because pulling a dry piece of cotton out of an equally parched vagina can be more than a little uncomfortable, you should avoid this unnecessary precaution and pop in a pantyliner instead, Dr. Dweck says. You don’t change your tampon after you pee…on it.From a medical perspective, you don’t have to change your tampon every single time you use the bathroom, Dr. Dweck says. From a practical point of view: Who wants a soaking-wet string hanging out down there? You don’t change your tampon after you poop.If that string picks up any bacteria, it easily could infect the urethra, Dr. Dweck says. Another thing: Moving your bowels can sometimes dislodge a tampon, which could make leaving it in uncomfortable. You forget to take it out.Yes, this happens IRL. If you develop a horrible odor that can’t otherwise be explained, use a clean finger to feel around for a tampon. If for some reason you can’t pull it out, see a doctor, says Dr. Dweck. You don’t change your tampon after swimming.When you take a dip, so does your tampon. A string that’s laced with chlorine, saltwater, or lake water can cause skin irritation if you don’t change it quickly, Dr. Dweck says. The good news is that normal bacteria found in a body of water—or even a hot tub—likely won’t cause an infection, she says. You use tampons with torn wrappers.Tampon wrappers are designed to keep out dust, dirt, and makeup bits that live at the bottom of your bag or anywhere else you store them. When that wrapping rips, the cotton could pick up little debris that dot belong in your vagina, Dr. Dweck says. You flush it.Unless there’s a super hot plumber you’ve been dying to call, keep it out of the toilet. You don't check the box's expiration date.“They’re there for a reason. You don’t know what’s happening with the material it’s made of and if it’s gonna increase your risk of infections. Even if the packaging is intact and it’s been stored in the right place, you don’t really know what that means [for the] chemical makeup of the tampon,” explains Sherry A. Ross, MD, women’s health expert and author of She-ology: The Definitive Guide to Women’s Health. Period. If you can’t find the expiration date, if they’re more than 5 years old, chuck ’em). You store them right between your shower and your toilet.The wrapper and tampon itself will stay fresher longer if you keep it dry, Dr. Dweck says. You use scented tampons.Some women can react to the fragrance in scented tampons, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In the worst-case scenario, you might experience irritation or an urge to itch. It’s why Dr. Dweck recommends unscented products—just in case. What Is It? Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) occurs when one or more organs in your pelvis—your uterus, vagina, urethra, bladder or rectum—shifts downward and bulges into or even out of your vaginal canal. Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) occurs when one or more organs in your pelvis—your cervix, uterus, vagina, urethra, bladder or rectum—shifts downward and bulges into or even out of your vaginal canal.. Just one symptom that can be associated with the condition—urinary incontinence—costs the country more than $20 billion annually in direct and indirect medical costs, while surgeries to correct POP cost more than $1 billion annually. Approximately 200,000 surgeries are done each year in the United States to correct POP. The condition is poised to become much more common in the United States and other Western countries with the aging of the Baby Boomers (women born between 1946 and 1964). In fact, an estimated 11 percent to 19 percent of women will undergo surgery for POP or urinary incontinence by age 80 to 85, and 30 percent of them will require an additional surgery to correct the problem. Many women don't have any symptoms of POP. These fortunate women need not do anything but preventive nonsurgical treatment, such as lifestyle options. Those who do have symptoms may experience a feeling of vaginal or pelvic fullness or pressure or feel as if a tampon is falling out. They may also experience incontinence, inability to completely empty the bladder, pain in the pelvic area unrelated to menstruation, lower back pain and difficulty getting stools out. Some women also complain of not being able to fully void stools and of fecal soiling of their underwear. Treatments include lifestyle options, such as exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor, devices designed to support the pelvic organs, physical therapy and surgery to repair or support damaged ligaments and reposition the prolapsed organs. For women not planning to have sex, obliterative surgeries, which close the vaginal opening, are also an option. Risk factors for POP include pregnancy (particularly pregnancies that have ended with a vaginal birth, especially a forceps-assisted birth), genetic predisposition, aging, obesity, estrogen deficiency, connective tissue disorders, prior pelvic surgery and chronically increased intra-abdominal pressure from strenuous physical activity, coughing or constipation. In many cases, women with POP have at least two or more risk factors. Having been pregnant with and given birth to a child—particularly two or more children—is a significant risk factor. According to the National Association for Continence, as many as 50 percent of women who have ever given birth have some degree of POP. While cesarean section delivery reduces the risk of POP and urinary incontinence, there is still no good evidence to support elective cesarean sections for preventing POP. Having a hysterectomy may also increase your risk of POP, depending on how the surgery was performed and how well the surgeon reattached the ligaments that typically hold up the uterus to the top of the vagina, where the cervix used to be. Genetic factors also contribute to your risk of POP. If possible, talk to your mother, grandmother, aunts and sisters about any pelvic organ problems they've had. Also ask about urinary and fecal incontinence; although it's embarrassing to talk about, both are often associated with POP. The most common symptoms associated with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) are related to urination. You may have feelings of urgency, in which you suddenly have to urinate, find yourself urinating more often than normal, experience urinary incontinence or have difficulty urinating and completely emptying your bladder. Some women experience sexual dysfunction, such as problems reaching orgasm and reduced sexual desire or libido. Although prolapse does not directly interfere with sexuality, it may affect self-image. Data shows that women with urge incontinence have the most problems with sexuality and that urge incontinence interferes with sexuality more than any other form of incontinence. Some women avoid sex because they are embarrassed about the changes in their pelvic anatomy, and some worry that having sex will "hurt" something or cause more damage. Nothing could be further from the truth. Intercourse exercises the pelvic floor muscles and replaces the prolapsed organs to their appropriate position. It does not cause any damage and, for most women, when their partner is on top, the prolapse is not visible. You may also experience problems in the rectal area. Some women with POP have pain and/or straining during bowel movements, and some experience anal incontinence, in which they inadvertently release stool. Other symptoms include feeling as if a tampon is falling out. In fact, if the cervix has descended into the vagina, you may find you can't use a tampon at all. However, doctors may have trouble diagnosing the condition because many symptoms can be related to situations and medical conditions unrelated to POP. The following questions can help alert your doctor to the possibility that you may have POP:
Let your doctor know if you answered yes to any of these questions. Diagnosing POP begins with a complete medical history and physical examination. The doctor will carefully examine your vulva and vagina for any lesions, masses or ulcers and will perform an internal examination to identify any prolapsed organs. The doctor will also conduct a rectal examination to test for the resting tone and contraction of the anal muscle and to look for any abnormalities in that region. The doctor may also examine you while you're standing (to see if gravity brings the organs down) and may ask you to strain as if you were urinating or having a bowel movement. A check of the nerves and reflexes in this area may be included. POP refers to a displacement of one of the pelvic organs (uterus, vagina, bladder or rectum). These displacements are typically graded on a scale of 0 to 4, with 0 being no prolapse and 4 being total prolapse (called procidentia). Your doctor will determine which type of prolapse you have. The different types include the following:
Tests Your doctor may order several tests to confirm a diagnosis of POP. These include:
If you have problems with bowel movements, your doctor will likely refer you to a gastroenterologist for a thorough evaluation, including a colonoscopy to rule out colon cancer, which can cause constipation and straining. Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is not a dangerous medical condition. Treatment options range from doing nothing and observing your condition over time to surgery to correct the prolapse. The choice of treatment typically depends on how your POP affects your quality of life, on your overall health and on your physician's expertise. Nonsurgical options
Surgery An estimated 11 percent to 19 percent of women will undergo surgery for POP or urinary incontinence by age 85, and 30 percent of these women will require an additional surgical procedure. The goal of surgery for POP is to improve your symptoms by addressing the underlying cause. Surgery can be reconstructive, which corrects the prolapsed vagina while maintaining or improving sexual function and relieving symptoms, or obliterative, which moves the organs back into the pelvis and partially or totally closes the vaginal canal. Surgery may involve repairs to any pelvic organs, including the various parts of the vagina, the perineum (the region between your vagina and anus), bladder neck and anal sphincter (anus). The goal of surgery is to reposition the prolapsed organs and secure them to the surrounding tissues and ligaments. Although hysterectomy is still commonly performed in women with symptomatic POP, several other surgical procedures are available. Which your doctor recommends depends on your condition and the specific type of prolapse. Surgeries can be performed through an abdominal incision, vaginally or laparoscopically, with or without robotic assistance, through small incisions in your belly. Studies find that the vaginal or laparoscopic approach results in fewer wound complications, less postoperative pain and shorter hospital stays than with open abdominal surgery. Today, a large number of POP surgeries are performed vaginally, laparoscopically or robotically. However, all forms carry a risk of relapse. In terms of the surgery itself, procedures vary depending on the type of prolapse. In most cases, surgery for POP is performed under general or regional anesthesia (epidural or spinal), and patients may stay in the hospital overnight. Here's an overview of the surgical procedures used to treat the various forms of POP:
Preventing pelvic organ prolapse (POP) begins in your teens. Get in the habit of practicing Kegels or pelvic tilts as done in yoga several times a day, until doing them becomes as routine as brushing your teeth. When you get pregnant, make sure you're aware of the risks and benefits of a forceps delivery in case one is necessary. A forceps delivery creates a very high risk for incontinence and prolapse. Talk to your health care professional about the options of a vacuum delivery or a cesarean section. Maintaining a healthy weight and quitting smoking may also help prevent pelvic floor problems, including POP. You should also avoid straining during bowel movements and when lifting heavy items, and if you have a chronic cough, get it checked out. Chronic coughing creates the kind of straining that can lead to POP.
Review the following Questions to Ask about pelvic organ prolapse (POP) so you're prepared to discuss this important health issue with your health care professional.
For information and support on coping with Pelvic Organ Prolapse, please see the recommended organizations, books and Spanish-language resources listed below. American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL) Phone: 714-503-6200 American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Email: American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) Email: American Urogynecologic Society Email: American Urological Association Email: National Association for Continence (NAFC) Email: Society of Interventional Radiology Email: Books The Incontinence Solution: Answers for Women of All Ages Pelvic Organ Prolapse: The Silent Epidemic Spanish-language resources Medline Plus: Pelvic Support Problems Email: |