Does tampon usage cause pain when you have IC?

[Glitter Girl]

Hi, I have noticed that sometimes using tampons hurts- only since I've had my IC symptoms- for the past two years. Before I had IC, using tampons never bothered me.

It seems like especially when my flow starts getting lighter, towards the end of my period, and I am still using tampons, I start burning and have to take pyridium.

Has anyone else with IC experienced irritation from using tampons????

[PlainJane]

Have you tried the DivaCup? It might work better for you. Just type in "DivaCup" into google. Just an idea.

Erica

[Sarojini]

I have the same issue -- I think heavier flow produces more lubrication so it's easier to insert the tampon. However, sometimes I flare badly enough that tampons hurt anyway, regardless. I've been lucky though -- I can still wear them much of the time as long as I am really, really careful not to poke my own bladder when inserting!!!

[vm]

I had no problems with tampons until I developed IC. I didn't use them much at all the first 2 years after my symptoms started, but now can alternate them with pads fairly well.

[Sarilou99]

yup. i have that too. i actually need to use lube now when i put one in, so I mostly stick to pads. Then again, I also have dryness, so that just upsets the whole works.

[Briza]

GG
I use Playtex Pearl tampons. You can buy them in the combo size box. These are the best I've found because they insert easily and you can use the junior size on the light days at the end of your period. I cut the string off short. That helps if it you have vuvlvodynia or other external sensitivity.

Sarilou
I never thought of using lube! Thanks for the tip!

[dancemomof2]

I found out that tampax jr lites were really bladder friendly and did bother me at all. They are so tiny and small.

[ChrissySunshine]

Hi there! Tampons have also bothered me ONLY since my IC symptoms got bad. It hurts ALOT to wear one, so now I just wear a pad. WHICH I HATE!!! I'd so much rather wear a tampon!
Like Leslie and Sarilou, I've also tried some of the "smaller" tampons. I can sometimes handle those if I REALLY WANT to wear one. OB is the usual brand I use, and they just came out with a "easy glide"? or something....that works OK for those times when I really want the convenience of a tampon.

[Judith56]

While I no longer have my uterus or my bladder, when I did have both of them, I did have trouble with tampons towards the end of my period too. I used OB tampons, they were the only ones that I could use comfortably. Judith

[Mrs. Burschman]

The "easy glide" (or whatever they call them) OBs work much better for me than the regular ones. But even then, I can only use a few each month. Gets too sore otherwise!

Amy (Mrs. B)

[sparklebabyprincess]

I have not been able to use tampons after IC it's just to painful, and uncomfortable.
I miss tampons though.

~Cherie~

[~*~Christine~*~]

The "easy glide" (or whatever they call them) OBs work much better for me than the regular ones. But even then, I can only use a few each month. Gets too sore otherwise!

Amy (Mrs. B)
They're called "Silks" :)
I agree, they do seem to cause less irriation then regular tampons since they don't balloon up as much and go in and out easier.

It's also a good idea to use regular flow even when your heavy, just change them more often (which, shouldn't be difficult with all the bathroom use anyways ;)) since the ones for heavier flows can cause too much pressure due to their thickness

[~*~Christine~*~]

Have you tried the DivaCup? It might work better for you. Just type in "DivaCup" into google. Just an idea.

Erica
I did some research on the DivaCup awhile back and it would cause more pain for the average ICer since it widens the vagina more then a tampon, causing more pressure on the bladder
"Instead" would be the best alternative to a tampon since it doesn't widen the vagina anymore then a tampon

Scroll down and there are 3 imagines that show what I'm talking about the widening ;) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menstrual_cup

[Glitter Girl]

I don't dare insert anything, other than a tampon. My IC symptoms all began when I used the NuvaRing- which you insert for birth control. I had it in for 2.5 days and have not been normal since.

Thanks for all of your comments, it's very helpful and great to know that I'm not the only one with irritation from tampons. Maybe I'll just use tampons on my heavy days and then pads the rest of the time.

[Kara Isabel]

Yes, I get really irritated from tampons! But I think my IC acts up anyways, I've tried a few times to get away w/ just pads, but I'm SOOOO heavy certain days!

If I wore a "light" tiny one, I'd be changing it every 10 min.! LOL, So I stick w/ the super and go to reg. but it still hurts! :(

[armslee]

I stopped wearing tampons a couple months ago due to my symptoms and irratation. Prior to that, I found that Playtex Pearls were the most comfortable.

[KJeanS2001]

I also have problems with tampons. I use slender or lites mainly now. One thing I did learn that helps is doing your pelvic muscle exercises. Kiegel (sp?)
I try to do these exercises more just before my period. When my muscles are tight...I literaly push my tampon out. That is NOT a comfortable feeling. If I notice it doesn't go in smoothly, I remove it and not use them until my muscles are relaxed. Hope this helps someone. :grouphug:

[jjt001]

I was also having problem with tampons, they were so irritating (like you, no problems before I started having bladder issues). I decided to try cloth pads and a Diva Cup.

The cloth pads are great, SO much more comfortable than a disposable pad (I never thought I'd use a cloth pad, I thought the idea was crazy, but (a) I've cloth diapered my son successfully for two and half years, which helped me understand how easy it is to care for cloth, and (b) I'd do just about anything to help avoid the bladder pain!).

Unfortunately, my first experience with the Diva Cup wasn't so great. Warning -- there may be too much information ahead! Anyway, I put it in okay the first day, though it seemed HUGE, I was able to insert it and though I felt it (which technically you're not supposed to, but maybe it was because it was the first time), it was okay. However, removing it was VERY difficult until I learned to really bear down and reach in and grab it. The second day went pretty well, most of the time I didn't really feel the Diva cup and it was really nice not to have the tampon mess and irritation. However, though I got better at taking it out, it was still a challenge. For whatever reason, I started having a lot of problems the third day and ended up putting myself into a major flare. I think there's just too much contact with the Diva Cup for me, at least in these learning stages. Tampons are pretty quickly in and out, but the Diva Cup, at least for now, required a lot more contact and moving things around! I may try again on my next cycle, I've only used it once, because I really did love the feel of no tampon and no mess. However, I would have to warn anyone with IC and/or vulvodynia or other problems in that area that the learning curve is longer for some than others and you may end up with a flare. Some people are succesful from Day One, but not others.

btw, I have also tried Instead, but found it too messy and unreliable. From that perspective the Diva Cup was much better for me.

[Jen2381]

Yep, no tampons for me since I started getting IC symptoms. It hurts but the pain is hard to explain. All I know is that I'm ok with wearing pads if I don't hurt. But it also seems like the longer the tampon is in the more it hurts. So, if I go swimming for an hour with a tampon in I'll be ok but anything longer and it gradually gets worse and worse. I know its in right so thats not it, OH WELL!

[Pernie]

Yeah they have started to bother me too. Never did before IC. This is disease/illness (not sure what to call it) is so lame. :mad: