Tampons - Regular Vs Applicator
In the past few weeks I have had Mr Smaggle on a strict regime of watching strategic episodes of Sex and the City to prepare him for our movie date next week. Strategic because we don’t have time to watch the full series so we are watching 2 episodes per disk so he gets a general idea of the history. He quite likes HBO programs and is enjoying the show. He even understands most of what they are talking about. So high is his tolerance for the girly chat that he has endured talk of vibrators, anal sex and funky tasting spunk without so much as a blush forming on his pretty little cheeks. However he was totally horrified by one particular scene that we watched the other day. It’s the episode where Samantha and Carrie try to get into an exclusive restaurant and the door bitch is being a total cow and won’t let them in. Finally towards the end of the episode the door bitch has to ask Carrie if she can borrow a tampon. Carrie is delighted to help, they bond in the ladies bathroom and Carrie and Samantha are escorted to the best table in the restaurant mere seconds later as pay back for the miracle tampon. The scene that had Mr Smaggle freaking out was when Carrie hands over the tampon. I believe the exact phrase was ‘What the f*ck is that?’. This is what he saw…
The poor sheltered boy had never seen an applicator tampon before and was clearly traumatised by teeny tiny Carrie dishing out tyrannosaurus-sized tampons. He obviously knows what a tampon is and knows what they are used for. ‘They’re like a plug right?’ he asked when we first started dating. He wasn’t raised around adolescent girls so the details were never fully explained to him. I replied that yes tampons were like a plug only more absorbent. I also explained (quite unnecessarily) that once the ‘plug’ is removed it’s not like a sink - there’s no gurgling or gushing. Um… apparently that was assumed knowledge. Anyway after I explained to him that the super thick, paper covered, straw-like object was actually a tampon he asked ‘A tampon for giants??? Why is it so big?’ I replied that it’s because American tampons are weird. I’m sorry ladies I know you love them over there in the old U.S of A but seriously, I fail to see why they are so popular.
Australian Dolly magazine went through this phase of pimping applicator tampons in the mid-90’s. All you had to do was write to them and they would send you a sample pack of applicator tampons in a purple flowered make up case. Hell, I love free shit so I thought I would give them a go. Big mistake. For a start I couldn’t get the bloody thing in the right spot. It’s like getting someone else to put your glasses on for you. It’s uncomfortable and bizarre and you always have to re-adjust them yourself. But that wasn’t the worst of it. The fateful day I decided to road test my new tampons was a school day in year 8 while I was wearing the St Clares’ junior uniform of a pale blue and white striped ‘nurses’ dress. I was too inexperienced to have learned the act of the ‘flick and sit’ where if a girl has her period she flicks up the back of her skirt so she isn’t sitting on it, thereby avoiding any accidents. Without prior knowledge of this little trick and using the most ineffective tampons in the worId I proceeded to have a rather massacre like ‘leak’ during computer class. I then had to get a note from the principal saying that I was allowed to have my jumper tied around my waist for the rest of the day. Which everyone knew was a major breach of the school rules and the general assumption was that I had either leaked my period, wet my pants or had diarrhoea and none of these options helped the floundering popularity of a slightly geeky 14 year old Lady Smaggle. Little Lady Smaggle then had to catch the bus home. With boys. So after that humiliating experience I have a serious vendetta against the applicator tampon. The unnecessary packaging annoys me. They take up too much room in tiny clutch bags. And they bend in the bottom of my handbag and get all out of shape. And they may have caused some serious psychological development problems that I am sure will surface in a future therapy session.
I understand why they exist. For those religious ladies who believe that touching their privates with anything less than a 10 foot pole will send them blind. I totally get that. For those ladies who have serious hygiene issues. Fine. Use your applicator tampons and live in discomfort but for those of us non-OCD ridden heathens what’s the point?
Can my American readers shed some light on this mystery? What’s so great about the applicator tampon? And do most American women use them? Or are they just over represented in the media?
Does anyone have a hideous tampon story to share? Applicator tampon hate mail would certainly be favoured.
Come on… I’m sick at home and watching Sex and the City… I need a good old gossip!
Love Lady Smaggle
xxx
i have never tried applicator tampons as they just freak me the f**k out.. and regular ones i only used once! Here is my horror story!
I have super dooper sensitive skin & get an allergy rash as the drop of a hat… because of this there is only one brand of pad i can use.. i was 16 and invited to a pool party.. EVERYONE WAS GOING so off i hop to the shops to get some tampons (same brand as my pads thinking no harm would come) i got home and decided to give them a roadtest before the party. Whats worse then a really bad allergy rash?? A REALLY bad allergy rash in a place that is impossible to itch that you cant itch as its “that time”
So i had to miss to party and stay home from school a couple days as i was WAY to uncomfortable to leave the house :’(
Thats my horror story and why i am from now on sticking to what i know!!
xo
I am 100% backing you on the crap-ness of the applicator ones. I too was taken in by Dolly’s free trials of them and found that every time I tried to use them it just didn’t happen. If you want something done right, do it your damn self I say!!
I don’t really have any horror stories for me, but friends of mine once saw a really drunk lady in a pub in a white dress who had “had a little accident”. No one out of them said anything to her, but I think when someone else finally did, she was either too drunk to care or understand….so if she figured it out the next day, that would most likely have been quite embarrasing for her…
ah yes, the ye olde applicator tampax.
seeing as i am 32 now and have had my period since age 11…that’s 21 years. wow.
anyway!
i never thought of them as being somehow modest, in that one doesn’t touch one’s vaj when using them, i guess the applicator helps to get it where it’s got to go? yes, i know a finger would be just as successful. i don’t find their use uncomfortable. maybe it’s my years o’ practice??
as for the non-applicator type, the brands i have tried don’t work for me, frankly. they don’t seem as *absorbent* and remind me of bullets for some reason.
i guess it’s sort of what you get used to? maybe it’s a cultural thing? that type is the most widely available kind here in the states.
to be honest, it’s not something i took the time to ponder in any sort of detail until you brought it up, my dearest smaggle.
I have never used one in my life and I never will. I’m thinking this is definitely a cultural thing. Us Aussies are like, “just stick yer finger up yer clacker, and you’ll be right”.
I was a bridesmaid for my sister’s wedding about 2 years ago… I wore a silver satin dress, looked so good, was feeling like the shiznet.
I don’t know how long it had been there, but my sister, the bride, had to inform me of the biggest red spot on my arse…
Ok I am American and I never thought about this. I think it is truly what you get use to. For me the applicator tampon slides in quickly, and is easier to move around for comfort. And both types of tampons can be purchased in the US so I just saw it as “to each her own”?
So now my question, is it really American women who use the applicator type more than women from other countries? Here in Japan they use the applicator too, so again, the question never came to mind.
Urg, I’m afraid I’m in the hating-of-applicators camp. I too find them almost impossible to get in the right spot, and I’m a diaphragm user, so I get even more practice at positioning things ‘up there’ than most!
What I wonder is why Dolly was so keen to push them on we youngsters? Was there a shortage of tampon users and they thought these might bring us over? Do they cost more? Hmmmmm…
I have never used non-applicator ones. Not that I’m against them, the applicator ones have never done me any harm. The first time I had my period I wore a khaki skirt the second day with an applicator one and nothing happened. I don’t have a tampon horror story, so maybe that’s why I’ve just never tried the “finger friendly” version.
As a New Yorker, I’ll be honest and say I had no idea that the rest of the world was full of non-applicator preferring gals.
In the drugstores here there is maybe 1 brand of non-applicator kind that was advertised heavily in the 80s but I think fell out of favor after that. 90% of our feminine hygeine aisles are devoted to applicators made of plastic/biodegradable cardboard/and everything in between (even ones you assemble yourself so as to make the packaging smaller).
Perhaps as the US finally starts to catch up to the rest of the world in the environmentally friendly department, more options will be offered here. But I think most of us use them, because that’s all we’ve got!
I have only used a non-applicator one once. It was about a year ago and a dire emergency, so I asked the other woman in the ladies’ room if she had a tampon. She gave me one without an applicator and I didn’t even know what it was. I never knew they made them without applicators.
I didn’t have a traumatic experience, but I can say I haven’t used a non-applicator since…I think it is definitely what you get used to (probably what your mom uses, really.)
I have used the applicator ones once (I’m Dutch btw; I don’t think they sell applicator tampons here, but can’t really say for sure - I’ve switched over to using a mooncup a few years ago, so haven’t had to buy anything since) when they were all I could get, in (I think) Mexico.
In the end, I had to pry the actual tampon out of the applicator in order to get it in the right place.
OMG I was in such a strop in the states, there’s like *one* brand of non-applicator tampons and they suck mighty eggs. Also I think their labelling is different because it seems like ‘regular’ is actually mini and ’super’ is regular (adhering to the ‘everything’s bigger in texas’ rule). But holy moly they sucked. I think the big issue is that Tampax have pretty much cornered the market (or that was how it seemed when I looked at the 5 bajillion varieties of Tampax and the one type of non-applicator tampons in the chemist) and there is very little brand choice as a result. Here there’s about 20 different varieties of tampons so you can pick one that works for your body (per example; I like Cottons which work well for me and give me warm ‘I’m not going to get cervical cancer from rayon flakes in my vajay’ feelings, while carefree really don’t work at all for me, tending towards leakage). So I suppose if you spent 10 years buying different types of appilcator tampons you’d probably find one that worked for you, too.
As an Australian lass I’ve always used the non-applicator kind. I never saw the point of the applicator. It’s akward, it creates excess waste and it’s just as easy to stick your finger up there and do the job.
I remember going to a gig a few years back and there was an American girl in the toilet who’d gotten her period and was asking if anyone had a tampon. Of course we all only had what we see as “normal” tampons and she was absolutely disgusted. She didn’t have much choice and used it anyway but afterwards came out and said “I deserve a medal for having to do that”. I don’y know, for some reason that always stuck with me and when I think of applicators.
I used my first applicator recently when a lass my housemate had shagged left a pretty little purse full of them at our place. I thought, what the heck and gave it a go. OH MY GOD! Talk about uncomfortable, they just swell up all weird, and I couldn’t get it in place properly. I ended up having to take the tampon out and use it like a normal one but they don’t seem like they’re built for that and it got all soft and bent out of shape. It felt like I’d just grabbed a wad of cotton balls and tried to fashion my own tampon out of them and stick it in my vajayjay.
Well anyway, there’s my rant.
I’m an Aussie girl and have only used the non applicator kind all my life, at least that was until I moved to Japan where like the USA they only have the applicator type. I was out sight seeing with my American friend, when I got that feeling that I would need a tampon soon. Well I didn’t have any, so we found a chemist, and as at that time we spoke no Japanese we gestured wildly and pointed at things in our phrase book until we got the packet of tampons. We found the nearest public toilet, which only had the dreaded “traditional toilet” which is a squatting style toilet and really gross. I opened up the pack and saw the HUGEST tampon ever, I screamed for my USA friend to come and have a look and she was like “yeah that’s a tampon”…I then stood over the squat style loo, trying not to fall in and tried to use the thing but ended up just taking it out of the applicator and putting it up there myself, which is what I ended up doing for the rest of my year in Japan. I never worked out how to do it so I was comfortable. I’m defiantly a non applicator girl.
Such a funny post - what a brave girl you are to raise this taboo subject!
I will second the American girls - when we lived in the States, I could only ever find the applicator version. Very weird!
Cupcake - Oh my god! That is a horror story! How terrible for you. Well at least now you knoe you won’t ever get toxic shock right?
Mrs Munk - Ew. I’m not sure I’d actually be able to tell someone that. Even someone I knew. And I must have wrote to Dolly a million times I got so many tampons its ridiculous. I didn’t even like them.
Tricia - How funny! Applicator tampons are a little prudish here in Australia but obviously they are normal as in America. Glad to be of assistance is raising obscure arguments!
Ivy - stick your finger up your clacker! You crack me up! And at your sister’s wedding? That’s way worse than year 8 shcool uniform!
ShowA59 - I would love to know what people use in other countries. We already got a Japan response. It’s seems applicators are the go over there. I wonder if Australia is on it’s own down here in their love of the good old fashioned tampon?
Emma - Totally! It was Tampax town when I was 14. They obviously wanted to saturate the marked like they did in America. Nice try Tampax!
Nicole - Where do you live? I’m beginning to think it’s a country wide thing.
Jen - 90% of them Tampax? That might be the issue. It’s one company controlling the market and they are forcing your to use applicators. How many different brands are there? It’s interesting because I know heaps of Aussies (many who have commented here) and they all HATE applicators so it fascinated me that Americans use them all the time. I guess because you are sort of forced to hey?
Natasha - It’s all about what your mum uses. I was a Meds girl for years.
Bummble - Okay Mama Smaggle wants to know. What’s a moon cup? It’s nice to know the Netherlands are on our side!
Na - Stupid applicator tampons. Us Aussies know what we’re doing.
Angry Face - Deserves a medal? Riiiight.
Hayley - Wow Japan uses applicator tampons? It makes you wonder if they always did you whether America jumped in on the market. I think they are trying to take over the world with their evil tampons.
Gervy - Oh it’s not taboo! We all think about it! Besides it was Mr Smaggle’s fault. He is the one freaking out over killer American tampons.
As an American living in Aus I’ll just say this. Non-applicator is WAY better.
However, there is little choice in the US where this style of tampon is concerned. There are only like 2 brands that do them (at least as of 3 years ago), and neither can hold a candle to the ones here.
A mooncup (http://www.mooncup.co.uk/) is a menstrual cup, like the old Keeper or the Diva Cup.
Probably NOT for the applicator-users; it takes a bit of practice, but it works SO well for me.
It even takes away most of the cramps, especially when I put it in before the actual period starts (which, unlike with tampons, is no problem at all).
After using applicators from a tender age (less, um confronting . . ?), I was in Oz (from NZ) when I needed to restock. All I could find were regular tampons. I could not believe the SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE! No leaks, no annoying uncomfortableness, a breeze to get in - OK, sure, more ‘confronting’ and a somewhat messier moment, but oh baby! I am a convert. They also take up way less room in the pocket/purse/sleeve cuff.
[…] I have been writing my Betty & Veronica post for awhile but Lady Smaggle is a quick cat and beat me to it and did it better too! If you don’t read her blog - you are CRAZY! Her posts are so thoughtful, long (which I love) and she has a great sense of humour. […]
Well, here is someone reporting from Europe: only normal tampons here, I’ve never heard of applicators till I read this post…
Applicators sound terribly unecological to me. And also prudish… what’s wrong with using your fingers ? Do we need special tools for everything ?
I have always used applicator tampons, the ones without are just so hard to get in, i don’t know how you’re meant to get them in high enough just using your fingers.
:S
I’m from the U.K. and have always used plastic applicator tampons. They’re more widely available than other alternatives. I was given self applicator ones as a freebie and thought what the hell. Why would someone want to put their fingers their at that time of the month?! However I saw the softcup on a website and would love to use one of those but unfortunately are not sold or shipped out to the UK.
I am from the US and lived in Sydney for a while. There are a myriad of applicators and types of tampons in the applicators, and sizes, not just Tampax.
I think until relatively recently most applicator tampons “worked” (or didn’t work for some of you) by just getting longer. Now they have ones that work similarly to non-applicator tampons that “bloom” (like a flower).
Personally, I like applicator tampons, but not Tampax. A smooth, round tip applicator can be positioned, and then just popped in. No muss, no fuss. I don’t think Americans use applicators because they’re prudish, I just think it’s more a messy hand issue.
While living in Oz, I had a family member send me a huge box of plastic applicator tampons. I converted my flatmates as well. Neither of the two were fans of tampons previously, but that particular brand of plastic applicators (though horrible for the environment) made things a lot easier. When I returned to the US, I sent them a care package with tampons because they didn’t sell that brand in Australia.
I think certain types of applicator tampons make things easier, especially when you’re younger. But I think between regular tampons, and tampax, regular wins hands down. Tampax are flat and blunt and abrasive, if that’s the only encounter you’ve had with an applicator, I understand why you hate them.
OK so, being an Aussie girl myself and thinking how cumbersome and unnecessary applicator tampons are, you can imagine my shock when I moved to the UK only to find ONE semi-decent brand of normal tampons available. They are pants (English word for craptastic). Anyway, during a desperate time, at that time of the month, I bought a box of Tampax Compack applicator tampons and they ROCK. They are only slightly longer than the normal style of tampon and the plastic applicator slides out and kind of acts like a syringe/plunger thing. Anyway, it sounds gross, but it is so easy and fuss-free to use them. I was totally convinced when I got my period at a 4 day music festival. We ladies have to be careful about hygiene and TSS etc, so in a portaloo at a music festival where hand washing facilities are not as good as at home, applicator tampons saved the day (well, those and anti-bacterial hand gel).
I have never been a fan of Tampons (the whole Toxic Shock thing freaked me out) but when I had to use them I hated Tampax because, like everyone has been saying, they were terribly uncomfortable. The only brand I could use in any kind of comfort was Playtex. Since I hate tampons and pads I have since converted to a menstration cup (I use a Diva Cup) and love it. It’s way less wastefull and I don’t have to continuely buy products. I empty/clean it in the shower in the mornings and evenings and I never have to think about it during the day or night. It took some getting used to in the begining but I wouldn’t go back to tampons/pads if you paid me
Sorry, I forgot to mention that I’m Canadian and I had never heard of non-applicator tampons before, and I’ve never seen them sold at stores before. Maybe I should take a good look at the feminine hygiene aisle next time I’m at the drugstore and see if I can find any
I’d agree with charmer. I’d love to be able to use normal non-applicator tampons (eco-friendly, compact etc), but I don’t know how to position them. It isn’t about modesty either. Just positioning.
I use Playtex, but only on heavy days, and usually with pads. >_> Am I weird?