Tampons have garnered a lot of popularity as a menstrual product over the years since they are hassle-free and provide more freedom than pads. They offer great flexibility for women who enjoy exercising, swimming or playing sports. But first-time users have queries about the usage of a tampon and what happens when you enter the tampon inside your vagina? Do tampons affect your urine flow? We break down for you on how to use a tampon the right way, how to maintain the hygiene and elaborate on whether it does or does not affect the urine flow.

To begin with, no, tampons do not affect with a woman’s urine flow. Your tampon goes inside your vagina. You pee from the urethra – opening to the bladder just above the vagina. The tampon doesn’t block the urethra. Labia majora (lips)- folds of tissue cover both urethra and vagina. When you gently open those folds (use a mirror for a better view), you can see two openings. Near the front top of the vagina is a tiny opening – the exit of your urethra – that carries urine from your bladder out of your body. Underneath the urethra is the larger vaginal opening – that’s where the tampon goes. There you go with the answer; tampons do not affect the urine flow.

How to Use a Tampon?

It is essential to pick the right-sized tampon to use it correctly. Newbies can start with the ‘slender’ or ‘junior’ size. They are easier to insert. Also, enter the tampon with the help of a plastic applicator. Below are steps to follow when inserting a tampon.

  • Wash your hands properly.

  • Stand or sit in a comfortable position. If you’re standing, place one foot up on the toilet.

  • Gently open the labia around the opening of your vagina.

  • Hold the tampon applicator by its middle and gently push it into your vagina.

  • Once the applicator is inside, push the inner part of the applicator tube up through the outer portion of the tube. Then, pull the outer tube out of your vagina (both parts of the applicator should come out).

Once it's in, tampons should feel comfortable. The string should hang out of your vagina. The string is used to pull tampon back out later. When peeing, some urine can get on the tampon string. You do not need to worry if this happens. If you don’t like a wet string, you can hold it aside and pee. But even if the string gets wet, you won’t be catching any infection or disease unless you already have a urinary tract infection (UTI). Urine is bacteria-free.

Maintain Hygiene

It is imperative that your hands are clean before you insert a tampon in. It is also recommended that you change your tampon every four to eight hours or when it’s saturated with blood. If you start staining your underwear, you can tell that it’s saturated. Do not keep your tampon for more than eight hours even if your period is light; it can lead to the growth of bacteria.

The takeaway is that when it comes to peeing with a tampon in, don’t worry about your pee flow. However, do what makes you feel comfortable. You can even take out the tampon before or after urinating, that’s up to you. The key is to maintain hygiene and keep it clean.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 03, 2018 11:29 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).