When a teenage girl gets her first period, she can start using tampons right away. Age does not affect their use. How can a parent introduce tampons to a teenage girl? Simply follow the steps below:
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1. Buy a box of tampons. A plastic applicator will make insertion easier and is more user-friendly than cardboard. Typically, starting with a "mini" or "light" size also helps.
2. Take a tampon from the box and demonstrate the motion to eject the tampon from the plastic applicator.
3. Give your teen a handheld mirror to help her visualize what she is doing.
4. Dip the insert end of a new tampon in petroleum jelly.
5. Ask your teen to try to insert the tampon; she may prefer to do this in private. With one hand, she should spread her labia; the other hand can be used to insert the tampon.
6. If the tampon is uncomfortable, she probably placed it too low inside the vaginal introitus. In this case, she should try repositioning the tampon higher.
7. Once your teen can insert a tampon comfortably, remind her that tampons should be changed at least every four hours and not left in for excessively long periods of time. Changing tampons frequently helps prevent rare complications like toxic shock syndrome.
8. If a teen still cannot insert a tampon, consider making an appointment with a gynecologist to rule out conditions such as a septate hymen.
To learn more about adolescent health , visit the Health Insurance website .
