1. WASH YOUR HANDS

First and foremost, make sure you wash your hands with soap and water before you insert a new tampon. Keeping your lady parts nice and clean is of utmost importance.

2. GET IN POSITION

Once you get the hang of inserting a tampon, you can pretty much do it in any position that feels comfortable for you. However, if you’re a newbie or have trouble doing it, Dr. Jennifer Conti, MD, MS, MSc, recommends putting one foot up on the toilet seat. This will make it easier to locate the vaginal opening

3. LOCATE THE OPENING

To locate your vaginal opening, Dr. Conti suggests using your fingers. If you’re still struggling to find it, go grab a mirror so you can get a better look. With practice, this step will become super easy. You won’t even need to think about it

4. UNWRAP YOUR TAMPON

Once you’re in position and have located the opening, unwrap your tampon. Don’t use one that’s already been opened as that can be unsanitary

5. PUSH THE TAMPON IN TOWARDS YOUR SPINE

Next, push the tampon into your vagina using gentle, steady pressure. The angle you insert it in is key. “Push the tampon up and back towards your spine as far as it will go,” Dr. Conti says. “A lot of women don’t realize that the vagina tilts back towards the spine and instead assume it’s straight up towards the head position. If you change the angle and insert the tampon directly back towards your mid spine, it will glide in much more easily and comfortably.”

Although the angle is key, the type of tampon and applicator also matters. “Smooth and rounded tip applicators with finger grips tend to be the easiest to insert because of the ability to glide in without much force,” Dr. Conti says. 

Our new organic tampons with BPA-free applicators, for example, have an ultra-slim applicator with finger grips which make it super easy and comfortable to insert. Not to mention they’re also made with 100% certified organic cotton and don’t contain any harmful chemicals, chlorine, fragrance, pesticides, or GMOs.

6. DEPLOY THE APPLICATOR

Lastly, push the applicator in and remove it leaving the tampon string hanging out. You can skip this step if you’re using a tampon without an applicator.

If you insert the tampon correctly, you won’t feel it at all. If you do feel it or it feels uncomfortable, it might not be pushed far enough into your vagina. If that’s the case, simply remove it and start fresh with a new tampon.

Once you’re all done, wash your hands again. Dr. Conti also reminds us to: “Never ever leave a tampon in for more than eight hours. The risk of toxic shock syndrome is real and dangerous.” Changing it out every four to six hours is ideal.

So there you have it! That’s how you properly insert a tampon. Now you know. Remember practice makes perfect. And if all else fails, an organic pad or liner will always have you covered, literally.