Everything You Need to Know About Tampon Applicators

It’s that time of the month again! Your period has started and you’re ready to kick ass as usual, as soon as you get yours hands on a tampon. There’s a myth out there that inserting a tampon can be messy, but if you have the right tools, they don’t have to be.

Tampons can make a lot of things easier, like going swimming or doing yoga. Yay! For leaping into the deep-end and not worrying about it budging or staying in place.

If you haven’t used tampons before, they can seriously be so intimidating.  You might worry about losing a tampon inside of you, or TSS (Toxic Shock Syndrome).  If it’s your first time using tampons, try it out when you’re at home, comfortable and not in a rush.  

First things first, choosing your tampon.  We recommend starting out with Blume regular organic tampons. They’re easy to use, and made out of 100% organic cotton.

One of the most important things to remember is when to replace your tampon.  TSS is a rare but serious bacterial infection; only about one out of 100,000 women are diagnosed with it. Major drugstore brands aren’t actually required to disclose ingredients that go into tampons – it’s odd to even think of tampons as having an ingredients list.  Cotton is an absorbent, reliable and natural material. And remember, the vagina is one of the most absorbent parts of our bodies.

To lower your risks of TSS it’s important to practice good hygiene: wash your hands before and after insertion, try to use the lowest absorbency tampon you can, and change your tampon every 4-6 hours.  You’ll know if it’s ready to change before then if it starts leaking or comes out easily with a slight tug of the string. If you decide to engage in intercourse on your period (remember, there is literally no rule that says you cannot have sex on your period), take your tampon out!

Tampons come in multiple absorbency types, include light, holding 4ml of blood, regular which holds up to 5ml of blood, super which holds up to 10ml of blood and super plus!

What is a tampon applicator?

The tampon applicator sounds exactly like it’s name – an applicator that helps you insert your tampon.  

What types of tampon applicators are here?

There’s more than one? You bet! There are different types of tampon applicators that cater for all women during their periods. Tampon selection is a choice, and they come in the form of several different applicators to make managing your period a hell of a lot easier.

Cardboard applicators

The cardboard tampon applicator is one of the first applicators to be invented and is an applicator that is made out of cardboard that helps you insert your tampon. At Blume, we offer cardboard applicators that are rounded for easier insertion and are 100% biodegradable, non threatening to your body and the planet.

Plastic applicators

Plastic tampon applicators are the most popular amongst women. Same thing as the cardboard applicator, but this one is made out of plastic. A lot of women prefer the plastic tampon applicator as they feel they have more control over where it goes. Cotton tampons with plastic applicators are most popular. At Blume, we have bio-plastic applicators that are BPA free and are made of 90% sugar-cane and 10% plastic.

TLDR. If you buy a Blume Box, we both have cardboard and environmentally friendly “plastic” applicators!

Reusable applicators

Umm, is that sanitary? Yes, absolutely. Reusable tampon applicators are usually plastic and can be reused over a certain period of time when you are experiencing your monthly period. Reusable tampon applicators are great for the environment.  It’s important to properly sanitize the applicator in between uses with hot water.

How to use a tampon applicator

Using a tampon applicator is super easy! First things first, you need to decide whether you’re going to go with a cardboard, plastic, or reusable tampon applicator.

If you think that a tampon applicator is right for you, then let’s take a look at how to insert a tampon applicator.

  1. Wash your hands: You’re hands are full of bacteria and your vagina is super sensitive, you should always wash your hands before inserting a tampon!
  2. Just relax: Inserting a tampon can feel uncomfortable! You can relax your vagina by tightening your pelvic muscle for three seconds, then slowly releasing it and relaxing the muscle.
  3. Get yourself into a comfortable position: The best positions to be in when inserting a tampon applicator is to place one leg on the toilet seat, stand with your legs shoulder-width apart and bend your knees, or sit on the toilet with your legs spread wide apart. Some people like to squat, do whatever is most comfortable for you!
  4. Now, unwrap the tampon applicator: Use your non-writing hand to pull back the folds that cover the vagina.  With your dominant hand, take your middle finger and your thumb and grip the applicator. Place your index finger at the end of the plunger on the applicator.
  5. Positioning: Position the applicator so it is at the entrance of your vagina and push it into your vagina towards your lower back. This may sound uncomfortable but the more you relax the easier it will be.
  6. Once the applicator is fully inside, push down on the plunger (where your index finger is placed). This will insert the tampon into the correct place.
  7. Gently pull out the applicator: You should have a tampon firmly inserted in your vagina and the string of the tampon hanging out. Once it’s in, you shouldn't be able to see or feel the tampon.

And that’s it! Of course, make sure you still wash your hands after the process.

Without an applicator

If you’re not a fan of applicators and prefer to have more control over inserting your tampon into your vagina, you can do so with non-applicator tampons!  

Is this more unsanitary? No way! It’s just as sanitary and safe as using an applicator.

If you’ve always used a tampon, going without might feel a little weird, but we’re here to help you out!  Let us walk you through how to put a tampon in without an applicator.

  1. First of all, wash those hands!
  2. Unwrap the tampon and get yourself comfortable: Remember those positions we talked about above? You can use those positions for inserting the tampon yourself also.
  3. With your non-writing hand, pull back the folds around your vagina. With your dominant hand, hold the middle of the tampon, and place your index finger at the base where the string is.
  4. Remember, relax. Gently push the tampon into the base of your vagina. Not sure how hard to push or for how long? Aim for your lower your back.
  5. Using your index finger, push the tampon all the way up into your vagina, until you can’t see or feel it.  It should be approximately one inch inside of you, with the string hanging out.
  6. Wash your hands and you’re all done!

Now you can check ‘how to use a tampon without an applicator’ off your list!