okay sweetie, i never thought id be giving the advice here, or the answers to your question...since i once thought the same exact thing, and went through exactly what you r going through...im 20 years old now, and I started my first period when i was 12, in 6th grade, and for years i wore pads, starting out, cuz i was scared of the fact of shoving something strange inside me, and i honestly didnt know how to use them, then when i was 15 or 16, i was just beginning to go into high school, so i had to start using tampons, because i was getting older, and my periods were getting heavier, and i needed the support and strength of a tampon, and a pad...I had just as hard of a time as you r, i went through 5-10 tampons in my first box, just trying to get the thing in the right direction, and i was very small as well, because i started wearing them while i was still a virgin, and i hadnt been stretched out yet...i started out using the slender satin ones made for teens, and they were so slender, as slender as your pinkie, and i still couldnt get them in, but practice does make perfect, it may be awkward for you, but try 'window shopping' the feminine aisle for a type of tampon you may like to begin with, since my period has gotten heavier over the years, i use a much thicker tampon now, and theyre called kotex super plus absorbency in the box...they r plastic aplicator...i can wear any kind, but i prefer plastic, its much easier insertion than the cardboard applicators, which will only hurt and tear at your delicate skin, as your first starting out, try getting something plastic, hope all this helps...good luck sweetie...
always,
regretfulheart