Lots of girls ask this question because it does seem weird to insert something into your body. The first step is to understand what's going on down there. Menstrual flow comes out of the vagina. The vagina is an opening that continues inside your body like a tunnel.
For most girls, inserting a tampon doesn't hurt. (The vagina is also the birth canal, so if it can stretch to fit a whole baby, it can fit a tampon!) But if the tampon does hurt, stop, and do not force it in. In some girls, the hymen (a little piece of tissue across the vagina) prevents easy insertion of the tampon. If you're using tampons for the first time, try a slim-fit one. Your menstrual flow should make it easier to insert because it moistens the vagina and helps the tampon slip into place.
Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD
For most girls, inserting a tampon doesn't hurt. (The vagina is also the birth canal, so if it can stretch to fit a whole baby, it can fit a tampon!) But if the tampon does hurt, stop, and do not force it in. In some girls, the hymen (a little piece of tissue across the vagina) prevents easy insertion of the tampon. If you're using tampons for the first time, try a slim-fit one. Your menstrual flow should make it easier to insert because it moistens the vagina and helps the tampon slip into place.
Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD
Date reviewed: July 2010
