Why won’t my tampon go in?!

Tough to say, but there are generally three main causes of difficulty with vaginal entry.

First is more hymen tissue. That flap of skin that surrounds the vaginal opening can sometimes make the hole a little tight, or there might be an extra strand of hymen that crosses the vaginal opening. Sometimes just using a little water-based lube will help you slide the tampon in, but other times it may require the assistance of a doctor (we can take a look and discuss vaginal dilators or other therapy).

Second is tight vaginal wall muscles. When we are tense and anxious our muscles can tighten up, and this can be the case for the muscles in the vaginal walls, too! This can make tampon insertion difficult. Try to relax and position yourself with one leg up (like on the tub or toilet seat) or lay down on the ground.

Third is vaginal dryness. Even if you’re on your period, the inside of the vagina can be moist one minute and dry the next (depending on your flow). In order to make sure things are lubricated you can use that water-based lube to help with insertion.