Question: I am 40 years old and have two children (aged 2 1/2yrs and 4 yrs). Before I had children I used to use tampons all the time. Since I had children I find them very uncomfortable and now hate using them. This isn't an issue most of the time, but is a awkward when I want to go swimming as then I have no choice but to use them. When I put a tampon in it feels as if it is sitting much lower down in my vagina than it should do, and also feels as if it is being pushed out of my body. Today when I put one in, it felt as though as it was sitting at angle rather than vertical, and also put pressure on my bladder and made me feel the need to urinate.

Could there be a medical issue causing my discomfort using tampons? If so, what might doctors be able to do to improve the situation?

I had my core strength tested recently by an osteopath and he said it was above average, and I also do Pilates, so I think my pelvic floor muscles are reasonably strong (although maybe I'm wrong!).

Thanks in advance for your help.

Many thanks for your reply. How does a pessary work? Does it go inside the vagina?

Would there be any other symptoms of a uterine prolapse?