Let me start off by saying I have never used a tampon. I have tried maybe 2-3 times and every time it has been very uncomfortable and downright painful. The thing is that my flow is really really light, as in on my heaviest days I'll wear 2 panty liners and thats it. On a "regular" day I'll get away with one and change it if needed.

I've read through all the stickies and looked up tons of info on proper insertion so I think I'm as ready as I'll ever be on that front.

I am taking a swimming class this semester and so I need to start using tampons in case I get, or have, my period on a day I have class.

My question is what is the absolute smallest size I can buy? I know that some brands call them juniors or lites, I'm not asking about that. I mean which brand has the absolute smallest one?

Thanks!

Of all the lights, juniors, etc in any brand, the ones that worked best for me when I was young were the Playtex "Slimfits." They have the most rounded shape of the and thinnest applicator of all the brands, as far as I can remember. Try those if you haven't already!

Definitely get one with a plastic applicator. I'm on the opposite end of the flow spectrum as you so can't recommend a smallest size. But definitely plastic applicator since you have a light flow...things won't be as well lubricated so you will need plastic applicators, not cardboard or no applicator.

definitely 3rd the plastic applicator. I would recommend NOT using the CVS brand or Kotex, the applicators are not so great and they are always larger than the other brands. I like Playtex Gentle Glide the best and it looks like they have it in a "slender" option so you could get them in Slender Light. They might be the same or similar to what Jaimye recommended.

I'm in the same situation as you. Because my flow is SO light, I simply cannot use a tampon, even the smallest ones (and I've tried many brands). I start to feel sick about half an hour after having them in. I now use a Diva Cup. So that's another option if you can't find tampons that work for you. There are lots of different versions available. There are also disposable ones call Instead Softcups. I dislike these because they are disposable, but the upside is you will only need one per day that you have swim lessons, so it may be worth it. You could probably make one box last the entire semester if you intend to only use them on swim days. Let me know if you want more info on either of these products.

Are you positive you have to swim when you have your period? I remember when I had swimming classes in high school, we were given the option to sit out and do worksheets or something if we had our periods. Are you interested in trying tampons anyway, or is this something you're only doing because of this class? If it's the latter, you might look into whether there is some sort of option to go to class but not actually get in the pool if you have your period, assuming you haven't already done so.

I also have a light flow and use a menstrual cup, but I'm guessing that if you're having trouble with tampons, you're also going to have trouble inserting a cup. Unless I'm misunderstanding you and it's not the actual insertion that's a problem?

Thank you everyone, I'll look into everything you have all suggested.

Just to answer a few questions:

It is not for sure that I will be on my period during class my university has very few 5 day a week classes. Its usually a MWF class, or a Tues. Thurs. class. I have swimming every Tuesday and Thursday morning and mine usually last about 3 days. So if I start on Friday or late Thursday I probably wont, I am just trying to prepare.

And I would only be using them for the time that I was actually in class.

Jonelle- I didn't hear about any type of option like that. I think it is because it is an intermediate swimming course and such a huge part of our grade is participation so I don't want to lose points for something that is going to happen every month.

& Yes insertion is a problem, or was from what I remember. To be honest I don't like the idea using any type of internal product. I'm not squicked out by it or anything, it's just a personal choice.

But I also don't want to be sitting out of class one week out of every month.

OMGJaimaye - I looked up the brand you mentioned but they have discontinued them all the reviews were great though so I don't understand why! But sadly that is the case.

Any more suggestions are always welcome

I don't really have any suggestions for you, but I just want to say that a big reason that inserting a tampon hurts for you may be because your flow is so incredibly light. I find that to insert a tampon comfortably, I have to have a reasonable flow at the time, basically for lubrication purposes. If I try to put a tampon in when my flow has faded away to being really light, that's when it hurts and it's hard to put in. So that may be your problem, in which case I think it's less the size of the tampon and more the cotton "grabbing" the inside of your vagina when you try to push it in (ick that got a tad bit graphic). Anyhow, the DivaCup suggestion could be worth looking into because I wouldn't think you'd have the same problem. Although I've never tried one so I wouldn't really know!

You could also try using a very small amount of a light lubricant to help with insertion.