Teaching tampons

A girl (no, technically woman)-having witch wrote in:

Witches: Talk to me about tampons. My 15 year old just started getting her period a few months ago. She starts high school gym swim soon. I went to an all girls school with no pool, so this is a situation I've only read about in books or seen in Hallmark movies. Is she too young? What do I buy for a beginner? How do I teach her? I taught myself in college - my mom certainly never talked to me about tampons.

Witches with young women (or who remember being young women) replied:

“Definitely not too young. I started using tampons shortly after getting my period at 11. I might suggest buying a ‘slim’ tampon. If she has heavy flow, she will have to change it relatively frequently because they are only in regular absorbency. I think I would probably go for a tampon with an applicator at this early stage as she might be uncomfortable putting her fingers all up inside her. I prefer OB now, but I didn't start until college with them. However, if you think she is comfortable with that, it might be easier because she can be as gentle as she wants. As for helping her, my mom didn't use tampons, but she told me to read the instructions in the packet carefully and we could talk if there were any questions. I did that, attentively alone at 11, and it was fine. The first few times might take a while, so be patient and maybe have her do it at home, not just before gym class.”

“I started using them at 12. Game changer for me. I haven’t used a tampon in almost 5 years, but when I did, I always preferred Playtex sport because they’re a little smaller and shorter, which I think would work great for a 15 year old on swim team.”

“I have a 15 year old who just switched to tampons though it did take a couple of tries. A few ideas: mine likes the plastic applicator best (sorry, environment) and go for the skinniest version you can find (I think Kotex U brand has one, with the snazzy black/color pop new branding), and have her try it when she's on the heavier day for the period. I realize that might not all work before the swim practice... I'm sure she could also get a ‘cold/stomachache’ for the first day if she doesn't have it down by then.”

“I am not 15 but I think the Tampax pearls are the easiest. Plastic and round. And try the purple ones that are for light days.”

“I'd just be totally honest with her and say, ‘You know what? I didn't start using tampons until much later, but here are the basics’ and then, when in doubt, YouTube: