Ladies, tampons and swimming?!

Ladies, tampons and swimming?

sadly, I just turned 17 and have never used a tampon. I am embarassed. I have no clue how to insert them or anything. I don't have a woman figure in my life to ask and pads are pretty self explanatory. I am going to Florida in a couple days to go swimming and to Disney, unfortunately, that is also when I get my period. What is the best brand for swimming, and does the string show if you wear a bikini?

I know exactly where you are coming from. I had no idea how to use a tampon and was going on vacation with a friend and I was so scared. Anyways, now I use tampons a lot. I personally like Tampax Pearl. They have a plastic applicator so they go in smoothly. If you have a moderate to heavy discharge I would go with a super to super plus. I also wouldn't leave them in longer then 4-6 hours because then you might leak.

The easiest way to explain how to put one in is to sit on the toilet with your legs spread as wide as you can. Grasp the tampon so that the end with the string sticking out is away from you and the end with the opening where the tampon comes out is facing you. The applicator and tampon are kind of torpedo shaped and you hold it at the base of applicator where it narrows. Usually there is a symbol on here and it looks like it's got grippers for your fingers. Grasp with thumb and middle finger and place your forefinger where the string is coming out of the cylinder part. Insert into your vagina until your fingers are touching against your body. Then, while still grasping the applicator with your middle finger and thumb, push with your forefinger on the cylinder part and you can feel the tampon coming out of the applicator. Push with your forefinger until it is touching your middle finger and thumb. Next, pull the applicator out with your middle finger and thumb. If it's in correctly you shouldn't be able to feel it. However, it usually takes a couple tries to get it right especially the first time. If it feels uncomfortable pull it out, get a new one and try again. I would suggest trying this a few days in advance of going on vacation, even if you don't have your period yet, just to get the hang of it. Just don't leave it in if you have your period. And don't try more than 3 in 15 minutes or it can dry out your vaginal canal and it can be painful to put another in.