“Why Does My Tampon Fall Out?”: Avoid These Common Tampon Mistakes

Sanitary pads cannot compare with the comfort, durability and freedom to move around that tampons offer during your period. But when your tampon gives you a hard time by slipping out the vagina? You might even start suspecting you have an anomalous anatomy! Chances are that you’re using the wrong tampon or you’re not inserting it right.

Learning how to avoid the common mistakes that can restore your trust in tampons.

Why Does My Tampon Keep Falling Out?

Tampons are intravaginal devices designed to absorb period blood from inside the vagina. It is made of self-absorbent cotton which pretty much does its job staying inside.

Tampons are designed in such a way that it does not come off even when you are engaged in a physical activity. Tampons do not fall out even when you poop or pee unless you are pushing too hard.

So what could it be that’s causing your tampon to fall out?

Here are some questions you should ask yourself before banishing tampons from your shopping list.

Have You Inserted the Tampon Deep Enough?

If you have not inserted the tampon deep enough, there are chances for it to slip out or sag. Check if you can feel the tampon at the opening of the vagina. If yes, then you have not inserted it deep enough. Try pushing it further inside to a secure position.

Rest assured that it won’t get lost inside you, as your cervix will prevent the tampon from reaching your uterus.

Is the Tampon Inserted Properly?

If you have not placed your tampon properly, it could hurt when you sit or walk. In normal cases, you are not supposed to feel the tampon inside you, but if you can feel it, learn how to insert a tampon correctly and with minimum discomfort.

Note: Another reason you feel the tampon might be that you have chosen a high absorbency tampon, which is causing your vagina to dry out.

Inserting it sideways also will cause it to sag. So, insert it with the help of your finger.

In any situation, if you feel it is not placed properly, or if it hurts to wear a tampon, reinsert or replace it with a new one.

Are You Using the Right Size Tampon?

An ill-fitting tampon can fall out. Wearing a tampon that is too small can cause it to fall out as it gets saturated fast and starts sagging. If you have a heavier period flow and have to change the tampon by the hour, switch to a bigger size.

What is the right size tampon for you – figuring this out can make your period days worry-free.

Do You Feel Your Pelvic Floor Muscles Are Not Taut?

There could be multiple reasons why your pelvic muscles can weaken and lead the tampon to slip out.

Are you a postpartum mom who had a natural birth with your kids? If you had one, chances are that your muscles got weaker with the pressure of a fetus that was growing there. But worry not, this is just temporary and will improve with time.

Vaginal prolapse(3) is another condition where your vagina slips out of position, again due to weak pelvic muscles.

You can strengthen your pelvic muscles by doing pelvic-support exercises like Kegels and vaginal yoga to keep your love zone in the best shape. Celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow swear by vaginal keggs to keep the love tunnel in good shape.

Do You Feel Vaginal Tightness?

On the other extreme, a super tight vagina can also make the tampon come off as it cannot fit inside properly. Athletes are prone to develop tight pelvic muscles due to exercise and overactivity. Try inserting the tampon inside you after a relaxing bath.

Vaginismus(1) is another condition of involuntary contraction of the vaginal muscles due to tight pelvic floor muscles, sexual trauma of the past, or sexual anxiety. Other medical conditions like endometriosis, vulvodynia, vaginal stenosis, etc. also can cause vaginal tightness, which could make the insertion of the tampons difficult.

If that’s you, try swabbing some lubricating jelly on the applicator, which may allow the tampon to slide in with ease.

Have You Chosen the Wrong Tampon Brand?

There are some notorious brands that sag even when not fully saturated. Do your bit of research and choose the best brand tampon with the right absorbency for your needs.

Is The Tampon Past Its Expiration Date?

The shelf life of tampons is around five years. If you store them in a cool dry place, they will last their shelf life. Avoid storing them in places prone to moisture, like near the shower or even the bathroom. Make sure that the storage conditions and expiry date are ideal for risk-free use.

Other reasons, like when you push hard while trying to poop, you could risk the tampon falling out.

How To Prevent Tampon from Slipping Out?

Here are the things you can do to prevent your tampon from slipping out:

• Insert the tampon at the right angle (Towards your back)
• Push it deep enough until you cannot feel the tampon in the opening of the vagina.
• Replace with a fresh tampon if you feel your tampon is not behaving well, instead of trying to reinsert the same one again.
• Check on your tampon to make sure it has not filled up to the point of sagging.
• Change to a different tampon size that fits you right and aligns with your period flow.

Using Lubrication

Smear a smidgen of lubricating jelly on the applicator if you have one. This will help the amateurs to easily insert the tampon.

It is difficult to insert a tampon when your vagina is dry due to low flow, especially during the last days of your periods. If inserted properly, it will not fall out easily.

FAQ

Takeaway

In short, tampons are a godsend if we take care to use them properly. They are highly convenient. First-timers will feel like it is a lot of hard work. But if you educate yourself about it, it’s a cakewalk. We are the women of today, unstoppable in our ways.

Now if your instincts tell you tampon is not for you, there are a number of alternatives- Menstrual cups, menstrual sponges, menstrual discs – one of these might just be the right product for you.