Ask a Period Pro

First, know the parts of a tampon: the applicator, the tampon, the string, and the plunger. Then follow these steps:
1. Find a position that lets you comfortably reach the opening to the vagina (sit on the toilet or squat)
2. Find the vaginal opening by using a mirror or fingers
3. Relax, take a few deep breaths
4. Unwrap and hold the tampon by the gripper grooves with the string hanging down
5. Hold the tampon between the thumb and middle finger
6. Insert the tampon gently into the vagina and aim it towards the lower back. That’s the normal angle of the vagina
7. Push it in until the finger and thumb touch the vulva (outer parts of female genitals)
8. Push the plunger all the way in (use the pointer finger from the same hand or use the other hand to help)
9. Pull the applicator out
10. The tampon will be in the vagina and the string will be on the outside

It is possible to have two periods in one month, and it can be completely normal depending on your cycle length. One of the best ways to understand your period is to track your cycle length, which is measured by counting the days from the first day of one period to the first day of the next.

For adults, the average cycle is 28 to 35 days, while for young people—especially in the first few years after starting their period—it can be anywhere from 21 to 45 days. That means a cycle can be as short as three weeks or as long as six weeks. Even though people often say you get your period “every month,” that’s not always true.

For example:

• If your period starts on January 1 and then again on January 26, that’s a 25-day cycle (normal)—but it means you had two periods in the same month.

• If your period starts on February 26 and doesn’t come again until April 2, that’s a 35-day cycle (normal)—but you skipped all of March.

Not necessarily. After your first period, your next one can be unpredictable.

Some people think it will happen exactly one month later, but it’s actually normal for it to come anytime from about 3 weeks to 3 months after your first period.

In the first few years, cycles often range from 21 to 45 days (about 3 to 6 weeks), so your period may not follow a perfect monthly schedule yet.

While it might feel like your period syncs with your bestie or housemates, there’s no solid scientific evidence that cycle syncing actually happens—even after living together for a year. It’s probably just coincidence, since your cycle naturally shifts over time. That means it might line up with someone one month and drift apart the next.

That said, it’s always smart to keep extra period products on hand—because even if cycles don’t sync, someone’s bound to need a backup when periods show up unannounced!

Bleeding for more than 7 days in a row is longer than typical for a period. There could be a few reasons why, but bleeding that lasts this long isn’t considered normal and should be checked out by a healthcare provider. It’s always a good idea to speak up and ask questions about your body! Try tracking how many days your period lasts and how heavy or light the bleeding is. Bringing that info to your appointment can help your provider understand what’s going on and make sure you get the right support and care.

Periods might seem to pause during a bath or a swim, but they don’t actually stop. The water creates pressure around the vaginal opening, which can temporarily slow or block the flow. It might look like your period has stopped, but your body is still shedding blood — it just isn’t flowing out as easily in the water. Once you get out of the water (or shift positions), the flow usually resumes.

So don’t worry — your body’s still doing its thing, even if you don’t see it for a bit in the water!