Tampons hurt!? Wtf

I'm almost 8 months post partum and recently got my period back. I tried a tampon tonight it was the smallest one. Light days. Well it hurt so bad to take it out! Even though it was not dry. It felt like pulling something sharp out and it was cutting me or something lol. Only way I can explain it. I've also only had sex twice since before birth. And it hurts also. Is this normal. Does it get better?