I am 14, and I have had my period since I was 12. I just started trying tampons this year. It was easy to insert them, but I found it extremely painful to take them out. I tried it three times, and with all three it was the same thing. Now I'm afraid to try again. What's wrong?

-- A.

Tampons expand as they fill with blood -- they are bigger coming out than they are going in. Using a smaller tampon (teen or junior or slender) may be more comfortable. Don't use the super-absorbent tampons! Also, if you are barely bleeding, the tampon will absorb vaginal secretions, leaving your vagina very dry; this makes it uncomfortable when the tampon is removed. For light flow, you are better off using a minipad or panty liner.

If you still experience pain when you remove the tampon, even with smaller tampons and only using them when your period is fairly heavy (not just spotting), then you should stick with pads for a while. You can always try again later.