Dear BeingGirl Experts,

I'm 16 and have been getting my period regularly since I was 12. I have never used tampons, but have tried to use them before. I wasn't successful. I tried different brands, and even followed the diagrams, but it still doesn't work for me. What am I doing wrong?

Gianna

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Dear Gianna,

Get as much information about tampon use as you can. Talk to your friends, your sisters or your mom. Chances are they will be willing to share helpful tips they have learned when using tampons.

Tampons should only be inserted when you have your period which makes insertion easier because of the lubrication from your period. Check this http://www.beinggirl.com/article/use-tampon/ out for the insertion details, and then go here http://www.beinggirl.com/article/what-is-tss/ for more about Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS). But, if you learn you are doing it all correctly and cannot insert a tampon, it may be your hymen (the thin membrane that partially covers and protects the opening to your vagina) may be too small or too tight to allow the tampon in. If this is the problem you may have to stretch this opening. You can try with a little bit of water-soluble lubricant like K-Y jelly on the tip of the applicator—the more you practice the more you will stretch the hymen. If you cannot stretch it yourself, you may want to ask your healthcare provider for help.

Good luck,

Your BeingGirl Experts