Experiencing Pain with Tampon Use? You’re Not Alone—Here’s What to Do

Written by a pelvic floor physical therapist at Empower Your Pelvis, in Kansas City, Missouri (Lee Summit, MO and Overland Park, KS)

Let’s take a trip down memory lane: you're 14 years old, and it’s that time of the month. You’re staring at a tampon, something you’ve been dreading since your friends and mom first started talking about it. You think, "I’ve got this," because at 14, you know everything, right? Wrong. You go to insert the tampon and… OUCH! The pain is unbearable, so you switch to pads. Fast forward a few years—now you're 21, and still using pads. You’re at your first gynecology appointment, explaining that you’ve been using pads since you started menstruating at 14. Your doctor asks, “Do you use tampons?” Your answer: “No.” The conversation ends there, with a suggestion that the pain might ease after becoming sexually active.

But then comes another problem—sex is just as painful, leaving you frustrated and unsure what’s happening. Eventually, you and your husband manage to have sex, and you become pregnant. After giving birth, you’re still experiencing pain during intercourse, so your doctor refers you to pelvic floor physical therapy at your six-week postpartum check-up.

Sound familiar? This is a story we hear all too often. And it all traces back to that first time you tried using a tampon and couldn’t because of the pain. We wish we had been able to help sooner, but know this: you’re not alone. Whether you’re 14 or 40, if you’re struggling to use tampons due to pain, pelvic floor physical therapy can make a huge difference.

Why Does Tampon Insertion Hurt?

There are many reasons tampon insertion might be painful, and we can help you figure out what's going on. For some, the issue might be physical, like tight or overactive pelvic floor muscles. For others, there could be a psychological component contributing to the pain. Either way, pelvic floor physical therapy provides personalized strategies to help you insert a tampon more comfortably—and we can collaborate with therapists if mental or emotional factors are at play.

Pain with Tampon Use Is Common, But Not Normal

Pain with tampon use is similar to other pelvic floor issues like pain with sex or even leaking urine when you laugh. These conditions are common, but not normal. You don’t have to live with the pain. We encourage you to seek help from a pelvic floor physical therapist and take control of your health.

Check out our video below for some quick tips on easing tampon insertion pain.

Get Professional Help

If you're looking for “pelvic floor therapy near me”, consider scheduling a consultation at one of our locations in Kansas City-Overland Park, Kansas, or Lees Summit, Missouri. Click here to book your appointment.

Join Our Empowered in the Bedroom Program

Struggling with discomfort during intimacy? It’s time to take back control and find lasting relief. Our Empowered in the Bedroom program provides you with the tools, knowledge, and support to ease discomfort, rebuild confidence, and strengthen your connection with your body. Enroll today and take the first step towards enjoying a comfortable and satisfying intimate life—feeling empowered, refreshed, and renewed!

With wellness in your pelvis-

Amanda Fisher, PT, DPT
Owner, Empower Your Pelvis, a pelvic floor physical therapy clinic in Kansas City (Lee’s Summit, MO and Overland Park, KS)