Let’s be real. Reading a tiny, folded-up instruction manual inside a cardboard box is basically the worst way to learn about your body. It’s cramped, the diagrams look like IKEA furniture instructions from the nineties, and it doesn't actually show you how the angles work in real life. If you've ever found yourself frantically searching how do you put a tampon on video while sitting on the toilet, you are absolutely not alone. Thousands of people do this every single day because, honestly, the physical mechanics of it are kinda weird until you’ve done it a dozen times.
Most people expect it to be a straight-up-and-down situation. It isn't. Your vaginal canal actually tilts toward your lower back. If you try to push a tampon straight up, you’re going to hit resistance, it’s going to hurt, and you’ll probably give up and stick to pads for another three years.
Why Visual Learners Struggle With Standard Period Advice
The problem with most "expert" advice is that it's too clinical. Doctors talk about the "vaginal vault" and "adenexa," but when you're fourteen (or twenty-four!) and trying to figure out why the plastic applicator is pinching your skin, those words mean nothing. Seeing it in motion changes everything.
Videos allow you to see the "aim." Think of it like this: if you were trying to put a key into a lock that was slightly around a corner, you wouldn’t just shove it forward. You’d pivot. A good video demonstration—usually done with a glass of water or a prosthetic model—shows that subtle 45-degree angle shift that makes the difference between "I can feel this every time I move" and "I totally forgot I'm on my period."
Dr. Jennifer Lincoln, a board-certified OB-GYN who has gone viral on platforms like TikTok and YouTube, often points out that the biggest hurdle is just fear of the unknown. She uses anatomical models to show exactly where the tampon goes. It can't get lost. Your cervix is a literal wall at the end of the tunnel. It’s like a sweater sleeve with a dead end; nothing is going into your "main body" or getting stuck in your stomach.
Decoding the Search: How Do You Put a Tampon on Video
When you’re looking for a video, you’re going to find a few different types. Some are "Life Hack" style creators who use a clear cup of water to show how the tampon expands. These are great for understanding absorbency, but they don't help with the "where does it go" part. Then you have medical animations. These are helpful because they are literal, but they lack the human element of, you know, how to hold your fingers.
The Grip and the Push
Watching a video helps you see the "pinch." You use your thumb and middle finger to hold the textured grip of the applicator. Your pointer finger stays free. That’s the finger that does the actual work. If you see someone doing this on screen, you realize you don't need a lot of force. It’s a glide, not a shove.
Finding the Right Angle
Honestly, the best videos are the ones that explain the "squat." You don't have to be a gymnast. Some people find it easiest to put one foot up on the bathtub or the toilet seat. Others prefer to sit on the toilet and lean back. A video shows you these various "battle stances" so you can find one that doesn't make you feel like you're losing your balance.
If you're watching a video and the person says to aim for the small of your back, listen to them. That is the golden rule.
Common Mistakes a Video Can Fix Instantly
The Half-Way Hang: This is when the tampon is technically "in" but you can feel it every time you sit down. A video will show you that the applicator needs to be inserted until your fingers (holding the grip) actually touch your skin. If you stop too early, the tampon sits in the lower part of the vagina, which is full of nerve endings. The upper part? Hardly any nerves. That’s the "sweet spot" where you feel nothing.
Leaving the Applicator In: It sounds funny to veterans, but it happens. If the video shows the person pulling a plastic tube out and throwing it away, it prevents that awkward realization ten minutes later.
Tensing Up: This is the big one. If you’re nervous, your pelvic floor muscles (the ones that stop you from peeing) clench shut. It’s like trying to put a pencil through a closed fist. Videos often remind you to take a deep breath and exhale as you push. That exhale naturally relaxes those muscles.
Understanding Different Tampon Types
Not all tampons are created equal, and a video helps you see the nuances between them.
- Cardboard Applicators: These are the "old school" ones. They are biodegradable but can be a bit scratchier.
- Plastic Applicators: Smooth, usually have a rounded tip, and are generally the "beginner's choice" because they slide in easily.
- Digital Tampons (No Applicator): Popular in Europe (brands like o.b.). You use your finger to guide it. If you search for videos on these, you'll see a very different technique involving a slight "nest" you make with the string.
The "absorbency" factor is also huge. Real-world experts will tell you to start with "Light" or "Regular" even if your flow is heavy, just because the thinner the tampon, the easier the practice run. Once you get the "how do you put a tampon on video" technique down, you can level up to "Super."
The Safety Reality Check
There is a lot of fear-mongering about Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS). Let’s look at the actual data. TSS is incredibly rare today—statistically, it affects about 1 in 100,000 people. Most of the scary stories come from the 1980s when a specific brand (Rely) used materials that were way too absorbent and left in for too long.
Today, as long as you change your tampon every 4 to 8 hours, you’re fine. Don't use a "Super Plus" for a tiny bit of spotting. Use the lowest absorbency you need for that specific day. If the tampon is hard to pull out or feels "dry," you're using one that's too heavy for your current flow.
Where to Find the Best Visual Guides
If you're searching YouTube or TikTok, look for creators who are actual medical professionals or reputable health organizations.
- Planned Parenthood: Their website and YouTube channel have some of the most straightforward, non-judgmental animations available.
- Mama Doctor Jones: She’s an OB-GYN who breaks down reproductive health with a lot of humor and zero shame.
- The Period Company: They often have great visuals for all kinds of period products.
Avoid the "extreme" wellness influencers who claim tampons are "toxic." Stick to the people who understand anatomy. Cotton and rayon blends have been tested for decades. If you prefer organic, that's cool too, but the insertion method stays exactly the same.
Actionable Steps for Your First Try
Stop overthinking. Here is the move:
Go to the bathroom when you actually have your period. It provides natural lubrication, which makes the whole thing a billion times easier than trying to "practice" when you're dry.
Wash your hands. Seriously. You don't want bathroom-door-handle bacteria going up there.
Get into your position. One leg up or sitting back on the toilet.
Find the opening. If you’re confused, use a handheld mirror. No, really. Take a look. Knowing your own geography is the best way to stop being intimidated by it.
Hold the applicator at the grip. Aim toward your tailbone.
Slide the outer tube in until your fingers touch your body.
👉 See also: What Happens When You Get a Sore Throat: The Science Behind That Scratchy Mess
Use your pointer finger to push the inner tube (the plunger) all the way in.
Pull the plastic/cardboard tubes out. The string should be hanging outside.
If it hurts or feels "poke-y," it’s probably not in far enough. You can try to push it further with a clean finger or just pull it out and start over with a fresh one. Don't reuse the same one if it dropped or you've been fiddling with it for five minutes.
The first time is always the hardest. By the third time, you’ll be doing it in a dark port-a-potty at a music festival without even thinking about it. Understanding the mechanics through a visual search for how do you put a tampon on video is just the first step in realizing your body isn't a mystery—it's just a bit of anatomy that requires a specific angle.