Plugs for the monthly shark

[AdamMLP]

I've heard a lot of people (both cis and trans) talking about preferring tampons to pads, and I would like to not have to feel the pads all the time, or even be able to carry on using boxers (biggest thing really). I've always been too worried about getting it on me though, and although I eventually tried a few times a while ago, I freaked out before I managed to take more than a step or two away from the toilet.

This time it started while I was at work, with no pads or underwear to wear with them. There was a machine in the toilets, so at least I could get tampons. I tried to use one though, did it how the instructions said and could definitely feel it. I couldn't cope with it and ended up just managing to get through the day without anything.  I tried again the next day, making sure it was definitely in, it physically couldn't go in anymore. I could still feel it though.

Everyone says that you can't feel them, but I can. Either I'm doing something really wrong or I don't know what.

[CursedFireDean]

I'm the exact same way, can always feel a tampon. And I can hardly even get the small ones in. They're always incredibly uncomfortable and I can't sit certain ways because of it. My only way to deal so far has been to wear boxer briefs when it should be coming soon and then use a pad in the boxer briefs. Wish I had a better solution, I hope some other guys have ideas :/

[AdamMLP]

I'm the exact same way, can always feel a tampon. And I can hardly even get the small ones in. They're always incredibly uncomfortable and I can't sit certain ways because of it. My only way to deal so far has been to wear boxer briefs when it should be coming soon and then use a pad in the boxer briefs. Wish I had a better solution, I hope some other guys have ideas :/

I don't think I have a problem getting them in, it feels more as if I can feel them at the top of the hole, like they're too long or something. I'm not sure how to describe it.

I think my underwear is boxer briefs, and there's definitely too much crotch in them to make me feel comfortable with wearing a pad in them. I need it as tight to me as possible so it's less noticeable, to the point I sometimes wear two pairs of female underwear because mine are so old the elastics wearing out.

[Alexthecat]

You need to push it in farther, when it is angled a certain way it just slides in. You should be able to run your finger along the hole and not feel the cotton, only a string coming out. You really shouldn't feel it down there. Maybe after a few hours when it gets heavy with blood but not before. It's been a few years since I used them but once I went to tampons I didn't go back to pads. Oh and you need to relax to put them in or it just causes issue.

[Jace]

When I first used tampons I could feel them also, but it was just because I wasn't putting them in right. Try to start using them when your flow is the heaviest that way it's easier and like Alex said it needs to be at an angle. Trying to find the right angle sometimes is hard but you'll know when you find it. If you haven't been using ones with applicators, I would try those instead. They are a lot easier to use. 

[yaka]

There is another kind of tampon made from sea sponges, which is soft and squishy and in my experience can't be felt. Has the same degree of absorbency as a tampon, but is reusuable! To take it out you have to scoop it out with your fingers, but you can thread a piece of string through it for easy removal like a tampon.

[Magnus]

I'm going to assume these public facility offerings lacked the most important component: a plastic applicator. Cardboard or even no applicator just plain SUCKS. I could never use those, they would just get stuck and partially hang out. It hurt, too. So yeah, try the plastic applicator ones (Playtex, Tampax etc. Yes, the likely cost difference *IS* worth it). Also, do try and aim towards your lower back (/).

[AdamMLP]

I'm going to assume these public facility offerings lacked the most important component: a plastic applicator. Cardboard or even no applicator just plain SUCKS. I could never use those, they would just get stuck and partially hang out. It hurt, too. So yeah, try the plastic applicator ones (Playtex, Tampax etc. Yes, the likely cost difference *IS* worth it). Also, do try and aim towards your lower back (/).

These were tampax with an applicator. There's no way I'd even contemplate using something without one. I'm pretty sure I was aiming towards my lower back as well, it was the way I'd put something in there normally (I'm not opposed to using that place for pleasure, but during this week it's a different matter regarding there.)

There is another kind of tampon made from sea sponges, which is soft and squishy and in my experience can't be felt. Has the same degree of absorbency as a tampon, but is reusuable! To take it out you have to scoop it out with your fingers, but you can tread a piece of string through it for easy removal like a tampon.

No no no not a chance! My one and only irrational fear is sea sponges. I can't even have them near me let alone in me. Nope.

When I first used tampons I could feel them also, but it was just because I wasn't putting them in right. Try to start using them when your flow is the heaviest that way it's easier and like Alex said it needs to be at an angle. Trying to find the right angle sometimes is hard but you'll know when you find it. If you haven't been using ones with applicators, I would try those instead. They are a lot easier to use.

This was the first day, then tried the day after, so it was the worst part of it, but the best time for trying.

You need to push it in farther, when it is angled a certain way it just slides in. You should be able to run your finger along the hole and not feel the cotton, only a string coming out. You really shouldn't feel it down there. Maybe after a few hours when it gets heavy with blood but not before. It's been a few years since I used them but once I went to tampons I didn't go back to pads. Oh and you need to relax to put them in or it just causes issue.

I couldn't feel any cotton outside of me, if anything I felt like it was in too far to be honest. I could feel it in almost the same way as when I had a too large toy in there, but without the burning around the rim. Maybe I was tensing up, I'm not sure.

I really wish I could sort this. Even the smell of unused pads is enough to make me dysphoric as hell atm.

[Emerson]

I just use dish towels, rolled up and jammed in a pair of boxer briefs. I just focus on the bulge and not the blood.

Tampons suck. I can definitely feel them unless they are "junior". Pads suck too because they get all squishy. 

[overdrive]

Like a few people have said, if you get them in wrong you will feel it. Slightly different angle or not in far enough will cause this, I'd used tampons for over 20 years and occasionally still got them in wrong just removed reinserted and all good. But if you're new to it, make sure it slides in easily, if not then the angle is wrong so reposition the applicator before pressing in. Also, when you are pressing in the applicator, push in so that the outer tub is just enough to keep hold with your fingers, then while pressing in the inner tube be sure that the outer tube stays just as close to your body. Often the outer tube actually can pull further if you aren't consciously thinking about it (was the case for me anyways) which then resulted in it not being inserted far enough.

[Kytri]

I use those disposable softcup things.

I also had the problem with being able to feel a tampon once it had been in for a while but with the cups I don't feel them at all. You also don't have to change them as often as tampons. They say you can use the same one for 12 hours but I've used them for longer without any apparent problems.

They are kind of difficult to put in and take out though. There's no applicator or string so you have to be pretty comfortable touching yourself down there to use them. They can also splatter when you remove them if you're not careful.

[AdamMLP]

I use those disposable softcup things.

I also had the problem with being able to feel a tampon once it had been in for a while but with the cups I don't feel them at all. You also don't have to change them as often as tampons. They say you can use the same one for 12 hours but I've used them for longer without any apparent problems.

They are kind of difficult to put in and take out though. There's no applicator or string so you have to be pretty comfortable touching yourself down there to use them. They can also splatter when you remove them if you're not careful.

It hadn't been in for long at all, so there's no way it was because it had soaked up and got heavy, or whatever they do. I don't think I could use cups, I'm too fearful of getting the stuff on me unless I'm in the shower where it'll wash straight off.

Like a few people have said, if you get them in wrong you will feel it. Slightly different angle or not in far enough will cause this, I'd used tampons for over 20 years and occasionally still got them in wrong just removed reinserted and all good. But if you're new to it, make sure it slides in easily, if not then the angle is wrong so reposition the applicator before pressing in. Also, when you are pressing in the applicator, push in so that the outer tub is just enough to keep hold with your fingers, then while pressing in the inner tube be sure that the outer tube stays just as close to your body. Often the outer tube actually can pull further if you aren't consciously thinking about it (was the case for me anyways) which then resulted in it not being inserted far enough.

It slid in fine, and I was careful not to let the outer bit come away from me (I think that's what you were describing?) I even pushed the tampon itself in further the second time to make sure.

Can you put them in too far and feel them that way? Or can you feel them at first when they're still dry? It almost felt like a scratchy feeling at times.

I'm not able to try again now, maybe I'll attempt next time, it depends on my mindset.

[overdrive]

It slid in fine, and I was careful not to let the outer bit come away from me (I think that's what you were describing?) I even pushed the tampon itself in further the second time to make sure.

Can you put them in too far and feel them that way? Or can you feel them at first when they're still dry? It almost felt like a scratchy feeling at times.

I have never been able to feel anything by pushing in "too far" if there is such a thing even. I literally had just the edge of the applicator on my finger tips so we're talking a cm or so and never had a problem. There were times where everything would seem to go in fine and pushed in far enough and I could still feel it so I would try again and all good. One thing I would also like to mention is that its common for people to have a cervix that tilts up/down/left/right so that even if you go straight in and seems fine, it might be enough of an angle. I learned that I had to slightly angle it to one side because of the tilted cervix. Only reason I knew of the cervix is because I had med students in the room for an exam once and a group of half dozen standing around trying to do an exam, some having difficulty the doctor explained this to them. From hearing that is how I figured out the slight angling issue for tampons too. You may need to try experimenting with angling slightly in different directions as well. You should not feel it though as soon as its inserted, or in my experience you will feel it the entire time it doesnt get better the longer you leave it in. I could tell as soon as it was inserted (before getting off the toilet) if it needed to be reinserted. I guess some of that comes from many years of having to use them monthly.

As far as pads go... not a chance for me as I think they felt like diapers. I started using them for my monthly at pueberty but after using tampons for one month, never looked back. Had to use pads after a procedure recently for a week due to some tearing, and that was a horrible feeling for that week.

[lilacwoman]

Before starting to mess about with alternatives and leaving things in too long you need to read up on Toxic Shock Syndrome - it hasn't gone away since its big 1970's debut.

[DriftingCrow]

What size are you using?

Try starting with the lightest absorbency and then work your way up.

Its also possible that you feel the tampon because you're thinking about it.

[mm]

This thread has been quite for a few day I see, but I am going to give my comment any way.  I started with pads at about 12 after about a year, 4 or 5 periods, I was irregular starting out, I hated having those pads between my legs seeing, smelling, and feeling them all the time.  I knew about tampons and that girls my age did use them, so I decided to try them.  I got a box of the smallest size I could find; the first time I used 3 or 4 before I got one that felt as thou I could keep it in for awhile, could still feel it.  After a few hours I removed it.  Next period tried again as I hated those pads so much I had to do something, again after a couple of tries I got one in that felt alright.  I found as several have said here already, aim for the small of your back, once you have a flow started they go in easier, use only the plastic applicator kind, use the smallest size to start out, push the applicator in as far as you can and still have a hold of it then push in the inside piece to push the tampon up inside you.  I don't see how you could push one to far, never have had that feeling.  If they are at least about half full of fluid when you pull them out, they come out much easier.  I would say it took me 6 mo to a yr until I was completely comfortable using them, getting them in and out, and not feeling them inside me all the time.  I am glad I made it through the learning phase and got comfortable using them as I hated pads so much. I lived for 2 years in the a girl's dorm in college not a good place for me at all being around all girls all the time.  All 3 of the my suitemates and me used the plastic applicators kind and use each other supply when we would run out of our own.  I can now use the super size for a day or two when I have my highest flow.  I don't feel them at all now once I slide one in.  I have read about the cup devices that some use, but don't see how I could use one as you have to handle your parts down there to get them in and out every time.  I am so much looking to getting on t and then hopefully getting a hyster to end any possibility of having bleeding I don't have any control over.  I hope you can get to point that you can use tampons easily,  lxndr.  good luck