Using a tampon applicator is straightforward once you understand the basic mechanics: the applicator is a two-piece tube that places the tampon inside your vaginal canal, then gets thrown away. The key to a comfortable, pain-free experience is angling the applicator toward your lower back, inserting it to the right depth, and pushing the plunger all the way in. Here’s exactly how to do it.
Before You Start
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Unwrap the tampon and look at the applicator. You’ll see a larger outer tube (the barrel) and a smaller inner tube (the plunger) that slides through it. The tampon itself sits inside the barrel, and a string hangs from the bottom of the plunger. Give the string a gentle tug to make sure it’s securely attached.
If this is your first time, start with a “light” or “regular” absorbency tampon. These are physically smaller and easier to insert. Light tampons absorb 6 grams or less, while regular tampons absorb 6 to 9 grams. Using the lowest absorbency that handles your flow is the safest approach, and you can always move up to super (9 to 12 grams) or super plus (12 to 15 grams) on heavier days.
Plastic vs. Cardboard Applicators
Plastic applicators have a smooth surface that glides in easily, which makes them a good choice if you’re just learning. Cardboard applicators are more rigid and don’t glide as smoothly. You may feel some resistance from the grooves in the cardboard, which is normal but can be uncomfortable if you’re not expecting it. If you’re using cardboard for the first time, inserting on a heavier flow day helps because the natural lubrication reduces friction.
Getting Into Position
Find a position that opens your pelvis and lets you relax. Most people prefer one of three options:
- Sitting on the toilet with knees apart
- Standing with one foot up on the toilet seat or edge of the bathtub
- Squatting close to the ground
Try different positions to see which feels most natural. The most important thing is that your muscles are relaxed. If you’re tense or nervous, the muscles around your vaginal opening tighten, which makes insertion harder and more uncomfortable. Take a few slow breaths before you begin.
Step-by-Step Insertion
Hold the applicator with your thumb and middle finger at the grip, which is the textured or ridged area where the barrel meets the plunger. Your pointer finger should rest on the end of the plunger, ready to push it in.
With your other hand, gently separate your labia (the folds of skin around your vaginal opening). Place the rounded tip of the barrel at the entrance to your vagina. Here’s the part most people get wrong: don’t aim straight up. Angle the applicator slightly toward your lower back, following the natural curve of the vaginal canal. Pointing it straight upward or toward your stomach is the most common cause of discomfort.
Slowly slide the barrel into your vagina until your grip fingers (thumb and middle finger) touch the opening of your vagina. This means the barrel is fully inside. Now use your pointer finger to press the plunger all the way in, which pushes the tampon out of the barrel and into the correct position deeper in the canal. Push the plunger completely, until it’s flush with the barrel.
Gently pull the applicator out. The tampon stays inside, and the string should hang outside your body. Throw the applicator away in the trash, not the toilet.
How It Should Feel
A correctly placed tampon shouldn’t feel like anything. If you can feel it, or it’s uncomfortable, it’s usually not deep enough. The lower third of the vaginal canal has more nerve endings, so a tampon sitting too low will feel noticeable or even painful. Use a clean pointer finger to gently push it further in. Sometimes just walking around for a minute lets the tampon shift into a more comfortable spot on its own.
If pushing it deeper doesn’t help, remove it and try a fresh one. A tampon inserted at an awkward angle can sit against the vaginal wall in a way that stays uncomfortable no matter what. Other common reasons for discomfort include using a tampon that’s too large for your current flow, or inserting on a very light day when there isn’t enough moisture to reduce friction.
Changing and Removing Your Tampon
Change your tampon every 4 to 8 hours. Never leave a single tampon in for more than 8 hours. The FDA recommends this limit to reduce the risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS), a rare but serious bacterial infection. Using the lowest absorbency you need and only wearing tampons during your period are two other ways to lower that risk.
To remove, wash your hands, relax your body, and gently pull the string downward and slightly toward your back, matching the same angle you used for insertion. If the tampon has absorbed enough fluid, it should slide out easily. If it feels dry or stuck, it may not have been in long enough to absorb much, and you might want a lighter absorbency next time.
If You Can’t Find the String
Don’t panic. The string sometimes tucks up along the side of the vaginal canal. Squat down and bear down as if you’re having a bowel movement. This pushes the tampon closer to the vaginal opening. Insert one or two clean fingers and feel for the tampon or the string. If you still can’t reach it, a healthcare provider can remove it quickly and easily. It’s also worth considering that you may have already removed it and forgotten, especially if you don’t see or feel it at all.
Tips for First-Time Users
Your first few attempts may take some trial and error, and that’s completely normal. A few things that help: try inserting on the second or third day of your period, when flow is typically heaviest and provides natural lubrication. Use the smallest size available. A light or regular tampon with a plastic applicator is the easiest combination to start with.
If you consistently have trouble with insertion or pain that doesn’t improve with repositioning, it’s worth mentioning to a doctor. Some people have a septate hymen or other minor anatomical variations that can make tampon use more difficult, and these are simple to address. But for most people, the learning curve is short. After a few cycles, the whole process takes about 10 seconds without a second thought.