Ummmm, yeah, I also wanted to ask about tampons

Ummmmm, I heard that you can pick up diseases using tampons, and that has always put me off them, so I wanted to know how you can prevent this happening? also, is there any advice about using them?

The use of tampons can increase your risk of developing TSS (toxic shock syndrome). To reduce the risk of TSS, it's advised that you don't leave tampons in longer than the paskage recommends, and use a tampon absorbency that's appropriate to the heaviness of your flow. The educational insert in your box of tampons will explain the details better than I can.

However, there's something called the Diva Cup http://www.divacup.com that is much better than tampons. It's a small flexible cup that you insert to catch the flow of blood. Since it's not absorbent, there's no risk of TSS. The Diva Cup is sterilizable and reusable, so you don't have to worry about flushing or wrapping tampon wrappers or waste, and nothing goes into a landfill. Best of all, the Diva Cup shortens the time I bleed from 5 days to two. I can't promise that it will do the exact same thing for you, but it's worth a try.

I haven't used a tampon since I got mine.

One thing to remember is that if used incorrectly any product can create negative side effects. One known side effect from using a tampon is TSS syndrome, which is explained in a pamphlet provided in most boxes of tampons. If you follow the directions of insertion and daily maintenance located in the pamphlet TSS is rare.

If you are still leery about trying this product than try to ease yourself into its usage. At first alternate using this product for the day. For two hours use a tampon the next two hours use whatever other method you regularly use. Do this for a couple of months or until you are comfortable to use this product fully. Another option can be to use the product for different stages in your menstrual cycle. If in the beginning and end your menstrual cycle is light than devote this time in using a tampon and for heavier days use whatever method you normally use.