Dear Dolly,
I recently got my period and I've started using tampons, but the blood still comes out into my undies while the tampon is in. What can I do to stop this? Am I inserting it properly?
Jess, WA
Here's what DD has to say...
There could be two reasons for this. Firstly, you might need to use a bigger tampon and change it more frequently, especially on the first couple of days, which are usually heavier.
You'll know if your tampon isn't the right size (that is, absorbent enough) because when you take it out it will be fully soaked (saturated), which is why your menstrual flow would leak around the side and onto your undies. Sometimes on the very heavy days, women need to wear a tampon and a small pad.
WATCH: Woolworths unveils Period Care rebrand (Article continues after video)
The second reason could be that it's not inserted properly, but you'll usually know this because you can feel when a tampon is not all the way up. If a tampon is inserted properly, you can't feel it at all. If it's sitting lower down in the vagina you can usually feel it sitting there and should push it all the way up.
Have a question for Dolly Doctor? Drop us an email - dollydoctor@aremedia.com.au
Want more fashion, beauty, health and pop culture news from Girlfriend?
Follow us on Instagram @girlfriendmag & turn ON our post notifications in the top right-hand corner of our IG profile so you never miss a post
Sign up to our weekly newsletter
Remember to add our homepage to your favourites https://www.girlfriend.com.au/