Using a Tampon

There are a number of period products that a person can use to manage their period. This includes tampons. Some people prefer to use tampons as they:

• can’t feel them in their underwear
• make it more comfortable to be active and play sport
• can be worn while swimming
• are smaller and more discreet to carry around

While tampons may be a little trickier to use than pads, it is important that your child knows that tampons are an option for managing their period. Your child may start by using pads. Then, as they get more comfortable with their period, they may progress to using tampons.

Not everyone will be able to use a tampon. That is OK.  However, it is important to provide people with disability with education about period product options so they can make a decision about which product they would like to use. For more information on these different options go to Period Product Options.

Using a tampon

Disposing of tampons

Most tampons come wrapped in plastic. This wrapper is removed before inserting the cotton part of the tampon into the vagina. The string is left hanging outside the body. These types of tampons are inserted by using the middle or forefinger to push the tampon into the vagina. To help your child remember the steps to using a tampon you can use a social story like the one below.

1. Got to the bathroom and shut the door
2. Wash your hands with soap and water
3. Pull down your underwear
4. Pull the plastic tab around the tampon. Take off the plastic and put it in the bin
5. Pull the string so it becomes long and straight
6. Sit on the toilet or stand in a squatted position.
7. Put the pointed end of the tampon into your vagina.
8. Use your pointer or middle finger to push the tampon into the vagina. Push until the second knuckle of your finger reaches the outside of your vagina.
9. Leave the string hanging outside your vagina
10. Remove your finger
11. Put underwear back on. Make sure the tampon string is inside your underwear.
12. Wash your hands with soap and water

Sometimes it can be difficult to insert a tampon. To make inserting a tampon easier, your child can put a little bit of water-based lubricant on the tip of the tampon. Tampons need to be removed every 4 to 8 hours. This is important as it helps to prevent toxic shock syndrome. It can be helpful to set a reminder on your child’s phone or watch to tell them when it is time to change their tampon.

It is important that your child learns to dispose of their used tampons correctly. They should not be flushed down the toilet as this can cause blockages in the plumbing. Used tampons should be placed in a sanitary disposal bin or garbage bin.  If this is not available, used tampons should be wrapped up in toilet and placed in a paper or plastic bag until it can be put in a bin at a later time. You can add this step to a social story or use an image of a sanitary bin to help remind your child what they should do with their used tampon. You can also help at home by ensuring the bathroom has a bin to put used tampons in.

Using a tampon

Disposing of tampons

Most tampons come wrapped in plastic. This wrapper is removed before inserting the cotton part of the tampon into the vagina. The string is left hanging outside the body. These types of tampons are inserted by using the middle or forefinger to push the tampon into the vagina. To help your child remember the steps to using a tampon you can use a social story like the one below.

1. Got to the bathroom and shut the door
2. Wash your hands with soap and water
3. Pull down your underwear
4. Pull the plastic tab around the tampon. Take off the plastic and put it in the bin
5. Pull the string so it becomes long and straight
6. Sit on the toilet or stand in a squatted position.
7. Put the pointed end of the tampon into your vagina.
8. Use your pointer or middle finger to push the tampon into the vagina. Push until the second knuckle of your finger reaches the outside of your vagina.
9. Leave the string hanging outside your vagina
10. Remove your finger
11. Put underwear back on. Make sure the tampon string is inside your underwear.
12. Wash your hands with soap and water

Sometimes it can be difficult to insert a tampon. To make inserting a tampon easier, your child can put a little bit of water-based lubricant on the tip of the tampon. Tampons need to be removed every 4 to 8 hours. This is important as it helps to prevent toxic shock syndrome. It can be helpful to set a reminder on your child’s phone or watch to tell them when it is time to change their tampon.

It is important that your child learns to dispose of their used tampons correctly. They should not be flushed down the toilet as this can cause blockages in the plumbing. Used tampons should be placed in a sanitary disposal bin or garbage bin.  If this is not available, used tampons should be wrapped up in toilet and placed in a paper or plastic bag until it can be put in a bin at a later time. You can add this step to a social story or use an image of a sanitary bin to help remind your child what they should do with their used tampon. You can also help at home by ensuring the bathroom has a bin to put used tampons in.

Using a tampon

Most tampons come wrapped in plastic. This wrapper is removed before inserting the cotton part of the tampon into the vagina. The string is left hanging outside the body. These types of tampons are inserted by using the middle or forefinger to push the tampon into the vagina. To help your child remember the steps to using a tampon you can use a social story like the one below.

1. Got to the bathroom and shut the door
2. Wash your hands with soap and water
3. Pull down your underwear
4. Pull the plastic tab around the tampon. Take off the plastic and put it in the bin
5. Pull the string so it becomes long and straight
6. Sit on the toilet or stand in a squatted position.
7. Put the pointed end of the tampon into your vagina.
8. Use your pointer or middle finger to push the tampon into the vagina. Push until the second knuckle of your finger reaches the outside of your vagina.
9. Leave the string hanging outside your vagina
10. Remove your finger
11. Put underwear back on. Make sure the tampon string is inside your underwear.
12. Wash your hands with soap and water

Sometimes it can be difficult to insert a tampon. To make inserting a tampon easier, your child can put a little bit of water-based lubricant on the tip of the tampon. Tampons need to be removed every 4 to 8 hours. This is important as it helps to prevent toxic shock syndrome. It can be helpful to set a reminder on your child’s phone or watch to tell them when it is time to change their tampon.

Disposing of tampons

It is important that your child learns to dispose of their used tampons correctly. They should not be flushed down the toilet as this can cause blockages in the plumbing. Used tampons should be placed in a sanitary disposal bin or garbage bin.  If this is not available, used tampons should be wrapped up in toilet and placed in a paper or plastic bag until it can be put in a bin at a later time. You can add this step to a social story or use an image of a sanitary bin to help remind your child what they should do with their used tampon. You can also help at home by ensuring the bathroom has a bin to put used tampons in.

Using a tampon

Most tampons come wrapped in plastic. This wrapper is removed before inserting the cotton part of the tampon into the vagina. The string is left hanging outside the body. These types of tampons are inserted by using the middle or forefinger to push the tampon into the vagina. To help your child remember the steps to using a tampon you can use a social story like the one below.

1. Got to the bathroom and shut the door
2. Wash your hands with soap and water
3. Pull down your underwear
4. Pull the plastic tab around the tampon. Take off the plastic and put it in the bin
5. Pull the string so it becomes long and straight
6. Sit on the toilet or stand in a squatted position.
7. Put the pointed end of the tampon into your vagina.
8. Use your pointer or middle finger to push the tampon into the vagina. Push until the second knuckle of your finger reaches the outside of your vagina.
9. Leave the string hanging outside your vagina
10. Remove your finger
11. Put underwear back on. Make sure the tampon string is inside your underwear.
12. Wash your hands with soap and water

Sometimes it can be difficult to insert a tampon. To make inserting a tampon easier, your child can put a little bit of water-based lubricant on the tip of the tampon. Tampons need to be removed every 4 to 8 hours. This is important as it helps to prevent toxic shock syndrome. It can be helpful to set a reminder on your child’s phone or watch to tell them when it is time to change their tampon.

Disposing of tampons

It is important that your child learns to dispose of their used tampons correctly. They should not be flushed down the toilet as this can cause blockages in the plumbing. Used tampons should be placed in a sanitary disposal bin or garbage bin.  If this is not available, used tampons should be wrapped up in toilet and placed in a paper or plastic bag until it can be put in a bin at a later time. You can add this step to a social story or use an image of a sanitary bin to help remind your child what they should do with their used tampon. You can also help at home by ensuring the bathroom has a bin to put used tampons in.