Tampon trouble again!

Right so pretty much every period for the last maybe 6 months i’ve tried to use tampons and insert them at least 1 or 2 days of my period (mostly my heaviest days) and it’s just not working. I’ve used mini, ive use cardboard applicators, which ive had most look with, plastic applicators and non applicators. When i think i’m getting somewhere, my vagina starts to sting, almost as if when you go for a wee and it burns. I don’t know if i’m hitting my urethra, or if it’s my vagina. All my friends who use them say they have never experienced this sting, only a slight discomfort. I don’t know what it is does anyone have any idea?