Age has nothing to do with whether a girl can use a tampon, and many 14-year-olds use them.

Parents and grandparents sometimes feel that a girl should wait until she's older to use a tampon. They may worry that she will forget she's wearing a tampon and leave it in too long. A few parents mistakenly think tampons affect a girl's virginity, but that's not true - girls who use tampons are still virgins until they have sex.

Ask your grandma why she doesn't want you to use a tampon, and reassure her that you'll be responsible and will change the tampon frequently. Explain why you want to use a tampon. Lots of girls use them for swimming, since you can't swim while wearing a pad. And some girls who play sports or are very active find tampons a lot more comfortable than pads.

If you're new to using tampons, start by using slender tampons and change them often. Read the instructions that come with the brand of tampon you choose. Tampons are often easiest to insert if you wait until the time during your period when your blood flow is heaviest - this helps moisten the vagina, making it easier for the tampon to slip into place. You can also wear a light pad or pantiliner to protect against leaks until you become familiar with the best type of tampon for you.

For more information on tampons and pads, click here

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