Non-applicator tampons, often called “digital” tampons, are designed to be inserted directly using a finger rather than a plastic or cardboard tube. This design offers several practical advantages, including a more compact size and a significant reduction in waste compared to applicator counterparts. Because they are inserted using the fingertip, users often feel they have greater control and can follow the natural curve of the vaginal canal, leading to a more comfortable and secure fit. While the insertion technique is different, the absorbent core itself functions the same way as any other tampon.
Essential Preparation Before Insertion
Proper hygiene is the primary step before insertion to prevent introducing bacteria. Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 30 seconds, as your hands will be the tool for placement. Once your hands are clean, unwrap the tampon, taking care to check that the wrapper was fully sealed and the product itself is intact.
Establish a comfortable body position to ease the process. Many people find success by sitting on the toilet with their knees spread apart, or by standing with one leg elevated and resting on a stable surface like the toilet seat or a bathtub edge. This positioning helps to open the vaginal opening, allowing for easier access and a more relaxed insertion. You can also gently tug on the removal string to widen the base of the tampon, which creates a slight indentation or “pocket” for your index finger to rest in during the next step.
Step-by-Step Guide to Insertion
With the tampon unwrapped and your body in a relaxed position, take a deep breath to loosen tension in your pelvic muscles. Hold the tampon with your thumb and middle finger near the base, while placing your index finger in the small indentation created by the string. With your free hand, you may gently spread the labia to clearly expose the vaginal opening, ensuring you do not confuse it with the urethra.
Guide the rounded tip of the tampon into the vaginal opening, aiming the tampon not straight up, but toward your lower back. This angle is important because the vaginal canal slopes upward and backward toward the cervix. Using your index finger, gently but firmly push the tampon into the canal.
Continue pushing the tampon with your finger until your finger reaches its full length inside or until the tampon is completely beyond the muscular ring in the lower vagina. The goal is to place the absorbent core high into the upper third of the vagina, where the nerve endings are less concentrated. The only part of the tampon that should remain outside the body is the removal string, which should be left dangling.
Checking for Correct Placement and Comfort
Correct placement is indicated when you cannot feel the tampon once you stand up and move around. If the tampon is correctly situated in the upper vaginal canal, it will not cause any noticeable pressure or discomfort. If you can feel the tampon externally or it feels uncomfortable when you walk, it is likely not pushed in far enough.
In this case, you can use a clean finger to gently nudge the tampon a little deeper into the canal until the discomfort subsides. If nudging it further does not help, the tampon may be at the wrong angle, and it is best to remove it and start over with a fresh one.
Safe Removal and Usage Guidelines
When it is time to remove the tampon, which should be done at least every eight hours, return to a comfortable position like sitting or squatting. Gently pull the removal string at the same angle it was inserted, which is typically toward your lower back, until the tampon slides out. Once removed, the used product should be disposed of in a waste receptacle, not flushed down the toilet.
To minimize the risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), a rare but serious illness caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, never exceed the eight-hour wear time limit. Some studies suggest changing the tampon every four to six hours may be safer, especially for those with lighter flows. It is also recommended to use the lowest absorbency necessary for your flow and to be aware of TSS symptoms, which can include a sudden high fever, a sunburn-like rash, and vomiting.