Tampons Insertion and Removal

Inserting a Non-Applicator Tampon

• Wash your hands and unwrap the tampon - hold the rounded end in one hand and remove the colored tear strip. Pull the cellophane off from the cord end. Pull out the cord, check that the ends are knotted together and give it a little tug to make sure it is secure, if not, use another tampon. Position your finger on the cord end of the tampon and remove the upper piece of cellophane.
• Pull out the cord, check that the ends are knotted together, and give it a gentle tug to make sure it’s secure. If it isn’t secure, use another tampon
• Place your finger on the cord end of the tampon and remove the remaining piece of cellophane.
• Relax and get into a comfortable position, either sitting on the toilet with your knees apart or standing in a squat position with knees apart.
• With your free hand, open the folds of skin around the vagina, position the rounded end of the tampon at the vaginal opening.
• Insert the tampon using your index finger. Remember that the vagina slopes backward, so guide the tampon toward the small of your back.
• If you can still feel the tampon, it may not be inserted far enough. Use your index finger to gently push it a little further in. When it’s positioned correctly, you should not be able to feel it.
• Make sure the cord hangs outside your body for easy removal. Wash your hands again.

Removing a Non-Applicator Tampon

• Relax, then gently pull the cord to remove the tampon.
• If the tampon feels tightly held, it may not be fully saturated. You can leave it a bit longer, but change tampons at least every 4–8 hours.
• If it still feels tight when removing, pull the cord firmly but gently until it slides out. If this happens often, consider switching to a lower absorbency tampon.
• Dispose of the tampon properly by wrapping it securely and placing it in the trash. (Do not flush tampons unless the product packaging specifically says it is safe to do so.)

Inserting an Applicator Tampon

• After removing the outer wrapper, pull the inner tube out until it stops at the bottom of the outer tube—you may feel a slight “click.”
• Hold the applicator with your thumb and middle finger on the grooved finger-grip section.
• Make sure the removal cord is hanging freely outside the inner tube. Do not pull on the cord.
• Place the tip of the applicator into the vaginal opening and gently push it toward your lower back.
• Continue easing the applicator in until it is inserted up to the rim of the outer tube (as far as the outer insertion tube allows).
• While holding the finger grip steady, use your index finger to gently push the inner tube into the outer tube.
• When the inner and outer tubes are fully pushed together, the tampon should be inserted correctly.
• Gently withdraw the applicator. The tampon should now sit comfortably inside your body, with the removal cord hanging outside for easy removal.

Removing a Tampon

To remove a tampon, slowly pull the string downward and forward. After removal, dispose of the tampon properly and wash your hands.

If you can’t find the string, try not to panic. Often, waiting until the tampon is more saturated can make removal easier. You can also squat and bear down gently (as if having a bowel movement) to help the tampon move lower so you can reach it. If you feel strong resistance when trying to remove the tampon, it may not be fully saturated.

If you still can’t remove the tampon, contact your gynecologist or seek medical help.

Because tampons can be hard to feel when inserted correctly, always make sure to remove the old tampon before inserting a new one. Never use more than one tampon at a time. At the end of your period, make sure you’ve removed the last tampon.