tampons leaking

[gloworm6.livejournal.com]

Hi ladies. I'm a 23 year old female. I have used mainly pads when on my period ever since I started menstruating. Occasionally I try to make the switch to tampons, but because of my bad luck with them, dont use them often. Here's my problem.

It seems that whenever I use a tampon, it leaks. Not terribly, but enough to be a problem. The external part of the string is always completely red with blood, and some blood gets on my underwear as well. Once I remove it, the tampon itself has some blood on it, but it is definitely not saturated. I have tried several brands of tampons (all regular absorbancy) and this has occured with all of them. I'm fairly sure I am putting them in correctly (past where I can feel it, etc). Any ideas? I have been to the gyn. several times and she has never mentioned anything odd aside from once stating that my cervix was tilted slightly.. anterior? posterior? Opposite what she had expected, whichever that is. But it doesnt seem like that would cause this problem. Anyone have any ideas/suggestions? I have considered trying the divacup or similar but I dont think I want to do that until I master the tampon first. :) Thanks!

Comments

[fragglerocker47.livejournal.com]

Try to use a pantyliner with the tampon. You can get ones that are so thin that they don't even bother you. The same thing happen to me. You might have to change them on a more regualr basis too.

[olivereindeer.livejournal.com]

How long are you leaving it in for?
If it is getting really soaked and leaking then perhaps changing it more often.

[sakira-starwolf.livejournal.com]

There are some super-absorbment brands out there; I can't remember the name of the one I use because I only use tampons when I'll be swimming (Otherwise I stick with the pad), but they do exist.

[lookintomyeyes.livejournal.com]

Have you tried OB tampons? Brands like Playtex only expand in one direction, so they can leak if they dont get blood in the right spot.
OB says they expand in ALL directions, and I've tried them - they do.

[fieldsclaphands.livejournal.com]

I've had this problem with every tampon I've ever used. For years, I thought my vagina had magic powers that allowed the bleeding to somehow skip the tampon and just go straight to my panties. Then, I was told by the doctor that I have a tilted uterus. I looked at diagrams of what a tilted uterus was and I realized that the tampon was actually by-passing the cervix. Here's what an inserted tampon looks like:



Now, with a retroverted/tilted uterus, the cervix points towards the front instead of towards the back. This means that the tampon is being inserted behind the cervix, instead of in front of it.

In my experience, there's no way to put the tampon in front of the cervix, no matter what absorbency I use.

I've recently purchased a diva cup and just completed my second cycle with it. I'm absolutely in love. It works wonderfully with tilted uteruses.

Hope this helps :)

[http://users.livejournal.com/__wench/]

I never used tampons successfully at all but my Mooncup works wonderfully.

If you really would like to use a cup, I say hang tampons and go for it!

[hopingforrain.livejournal.com]

The idea that tampons can be used by themselves is pretty false. You still need to wear a pad.

[zellie-bean.livejournal.com]

Tampons ALWAYS leak for me, to varying degrees but they ALWAYS do. With divacup, as long as I have it in right, I don't leak but I tend to wear a cloth pad anyway juuust in case. With Insteads I didn't leak unless I laughed too hard, then it was like the Instead upturned itself in me because it ALL came out x_x;;

[die-in-a-fire.livejournal.com]

My tampons always leaked. All brands, all sizes, even when they were not even half full. It's so frustrating! I got a Keeper and ... I'm in love. No more leaks!

[irishmexican.livejournal.com]

i wouldn't waste my time trying to figure out tampons. they just might not work for you. they aren't healthy overall anyway. i suggest getting a menstrual cup. maybe a mooncup since it's wider at the rim.

[karenthecroccy.livejournal.com]

A lot of tampons, I've found, get longer when they get saturated. I find that certain tampons get wider as they get saturated and that helps with the early leakage.

I swear by Tampax Pearl for this reason.

[roxy-girl05.livejournal.com]

Oh gosh! Just yesterday I was at work and my Super Plus absorbancy tampon leaked after, maybe, an hour of putting it in. I was so happy that I had an extra tampon with me because I probably would've sat in the back and cried otherwise. This upcoming weekend I plan on ordering a Diva Cup since I'll be getting paid. :)

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

You've tried "ob" brand? They're the only kind that reliably doesn't leak for me.

[mandaryn.livejournal.com]

Wow, I lost count at 2 or 3, but that's quite a few convinced ladies on getting a diva cup! =)

And with that, I'm echoing the reccomendations for a cup! I love mine.

[scien.livejournal.com]

Tilted uterus generally = only soaking through half of the tampon.

Menstrual cups for the win!

[kino-makoto.livejournal.com]

I have the same problem with tampons. I always bleed through them within the first half hour and then I take them out, out of frustration. I usually try to use one every month but it always turns out the same and now I've just given up. That's why I still stick with pads. Why should I have to wear a pantyliner and a tampon? It just seems like too much to me. But where would one find these menstrual cups?