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Hi Aunt Vadge,
This probably isn’t what you usually get emailed about, but I didn’t know who to ask. Last month I tried using a tampon for the first time. I put it in and it was alright, but later I thought it was ready to come out, so I pulled it a tad and realised it wasn’t. Then it started working its way out as I walked and got VERY uncomfortable.
So I went to the bathroom to take it out and put another in. My mother always said the quicker you do these things the better, so I faced my fears and yanked it out. Afterwards my legs wouldn’t stop shaking, it hurt so bad. The tampon had opened up like a wall instead of an umbrella shape, which made it worse. I went back to pads after that.
I just started my next period today, and every time I pee, or anything period-related comes out, the inside of my vagina hurts. It didn’t bother me until now. What do I do?
Yours,
Yanker
Hi there Yanker,
You’re far from the first person to do this, and you very likely haven’t done any serious damage. Here’s what happened: a tampon that isn’t soaked yet opens out wide and stays dry, so when you pull it, it drags on the delicate skin inside – which hurts a lot (hence the shaking legs) but is almost always just surface soreness that heals in a few days, not a torn-away wall. What you’re feeling this period is that tender skin being touched by blood and urine. The one rule to take from this: never pull a tampon that isn’t soaked through. If it resists, leave it a bit longer.
Why it hurt so much
A tampon only comes out smoothly once it’s soaked and slippery. Yours had ‘bloomed’ out sideways (the wall shape you described) while still fairly dry, so pulling it dragged across the vaginal skin like a dry cotton bud. That’s really painful, and it can leave the skin grazed and tender for a few days – but it’s surface soreness, not a deep injury.
Looking after the soreness
- Wash with warm water only – no soap, no wipes – and pat dry gently.
- A plain barrier like pawpaw ointment protects the sore skin while it heals. Our guide to soothing small vulval grazes has more.
- When it stings to wee, pour a cup of warm water over yourself as you go – it dilutes the urine so it doesn’t sting the raw skin. Weeing in the shower works too.
- Pads are completely fine for this period while things settle.
Getting tampons right next time
Tampons are a skill, and it clicks with a bit of practice. Only take one out when it’s soaked through and slips out easily – if it resists, it’s not ready, so give it longer or wait until you next wee. Use the lowest absorbency that lasts you (a bigger tampon on a light day stays dry and drags), relax your body, and don’t rush. None of this means you did anything wrong – you just learned the dry-tampon lesson the hard way.
When to get it checked
See a doctor or nurse (a free sexual health or family planning clinic is fine) if:
- You can’t pass urine at all – not just stinging, but actually unable to go. That’s a same-day emergency.
- You’re bleeding heavily when you’re not due your period, or the pain is severe or getting worse.
- There’s a fever, a bad smell, or pus – signs of infection.
- It still hurts once this period is over, or peeing keeps hurting – worth a quick check to rule out an infection.
Odds are it’ll settle on its own within a few days. Be gentle with yourself, and write again any time.
Warmest regards,
Aunt Vadge
This is general information, not a substitute for personalised medical advice. If you can’t pass urine at all, or the pain is severe, see someone the same day.
