Tampon Questions?

[Faebella]

I have used tampons in the past, only when swimming.
I don't generally stick things up there that really don't need to be up there.

other than well, you know.
emotion_dowant

ANYWAYS.

I prefer pads.
I use the Infinity ones, they are
super thin, and super absorbent.
Keeps the girl bits dry.

When I do use tampons, it's the U by Kotex ones.  

[Bell Kalika]

X-tailerr-X

I hate tampon math >_< I have only used them once or twice before, and I can never estimate how long theyll last and what absorbency would be best very well. Whenever I use them I always end up going to the bathroom every like 2-3 hours to check, people probably think I have some kind of bladder problem or something. D:

Some Questions:
- What is the maximum amt of time that you can keep one in without risking TSS?
- Did your first few kind of hurt when you took them out? (Will I just get used to it? :/ )
- Should regular absorbency pads generally last about the same amt of time as regular absorbency tampons?
- Got a favorite brand, or know of a really crappy brand to avoid?

Any other strategies or basic tips to share would be appreciated :3 If anyone else has questions about tampons/pads you can post here.

give up all the stress and switch to diva cup (in canada) and i think moon cup (in the states) reusable up to 5 years, no tampons needed ever again!
my uterus is tilted forward so the only tampons i can use comfortably are OB. if they hurt when you take them out they either arent saturated enough or you need to relax and take them out more slowly. but, i dont worry about that anymore, i switched to the diva cup over a year ago and will NEVER go back to tampons! i carry around the diva cup and a couple panty liners and its all i need for my entire period!