? for mothers with pre-teens

[hambirg]

I'm not flaming you, but I don't think there is ANY scientific evidence that this is in any way true, and I don't even know what you mean by "backflow." As many of us have learned the hard way, there's no such thing as a tampon that can cause anything to "back up."

Well. . .like I said. . you be your own judge, but I'm not the only one that feels this way:

http://infertility.suite101.com/article.cfm/tampons_and_endometriosis

http://www.aphroditewomenshealth.com/news/20020630204433_health_news.shtml

http://forums.obgyn.net/endo/ENDO.9808/0508.html

http://www.the-hangs.com/2010/01/tampons-endometriosis-and-infertility.html

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11390166

And smoking was promoted as healthy in the 1950's. There are many people that believe that immunizations are the root of autism. I just know that from my personal experience that I have never had any female problems and that my friends that were the heaviest tampon users have had the worst problems. You be your own judge. I was just throwing that out there. I was a chemistry major in college and Dioxin is no joke. I know people that will only buy organic milk and have the whole family on gluten free diets but still use regular tampons. Yeah. . .it's your body . . .do what you want. . .but P&G and the like is a HUGE lobby. . .just like the tobacco industry was. Make your own decisions.

ETA-It's call menstrual retrograde btw. . .do me a favor. . take a 2 liter bottle. . .stuff cotton in the neck and cut the bottom off. Now turn it over and pour liquid through the cut off bottom. Does the liquid spill over the top or does it leak through the plugged up cotton first? Yeah. . .

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/27320.php

Research has demonstrated that the retention of menstrual discharge promotes the backflow of endometrial cells from the uterus into the pelvic cavity, which is believed to increase the risk of endometriosis in some women.

 

[bucket o' butter]

Aleve is definitely smaller. That is what I had my kids take first when they started learning to swallow pills. It didn't take long before they could swallow any kind though once they got the hang of it.

 

[Auggietina]

If you can get her to swallow the pills (I can't help there, DD 10 hated liquid meds and has been swallowing pills since she was 3 or 4) our pediatrician recommended that she take ibuprofen every 6 hours round the clock from the moment she suspects her period is starting until it's completely over. We've been doing that for a few cycles now (she's had her period over a year) and it's really helping with the cramps.

I let her experiement with a few different kinds of pads, and she's decided she likes the "old fashioned" thick ones rather than the ultra thin. She also likes the long length ones. I think it gives her more piece of mind that she won't have a leak (which has happened a few times...once at school, not a good situation).

She's been trying to use tampons, and we have the thinnest "lites" but so far she can't quite do it. I'm trying to help her, but she's pretty scared. Any advice on that? I just went straight to them and did it. But, DD can't make herself. I have tried putting some KY on the tampon, but no go.

My dd had trouble with tampons but as soon as she got the hang of it, she will never use pads. The American Girl Book - The care and keeping of you has a section on how to use tampons. My dd used that and practice

 

[herdtoDisney]

There is Tylenol available in a chewable-Jr Strength, it's called-and Walmart has it in generic. My younger kids use this, as they've outgrown the liquid but don't like pills. Maybe this would work for your dd? They're not too expensive-cheaper than the liquid, in the quantites a child your dd's age would use.

Tylenol works well for period cramps-I have used it for decades because I'm allergic to ibuprofin and aspirin.

I've never really heard of a tampon string breaking, so she shouldn't have to worry about that. I'm a gal who has always preferred pads, myself-I only use tampons if I happen to be swimming. The Always come in several sizes, although sometimes the covering of them irritate my skin. Stayfree has several sizes too, and both come in generic at Walmart (to save $) also they are very thin and come wrapped-easy for a girl (or me, lol) to keep in a purse or backpack.

I'm reading this thread with interest, because this will be coming up for me-my boys are my olders and my girls are grade-school age, so these days are a comin'

 

[clh2]

As far as learning how to swallow pills - the OP should be up aa new thread on how to teach that skill to our kids who are that age. You will get many, many odd responses - including one that said "have them take a pill with a small piece of bread."

Out of the many, many ideas that were presented, my DD tried THAT one. And it worked. Now she usually uses a Ritz cracker. She has been swallowing pills now for aobut 4 or 5 years, and it was definitley from advise on the DIS.

Bread to swallow pills...who knew???

 

[Minnie M6]

My DD's doctor recommended midol(go to the website and get coupons)

My DD just recently started and she likes Always Infinity with wings. If you register at the companies usually they will send you free samples. My DH just loves it everymonth when he gets updates from Kotex. I purchased several different brands and styles, she chose the one she likes. Also try the website Being Girl.

Some one had suggested I make a first period kit for my DD. This is what I did. I got a cute bag and put the following items in it: a small calander, color pens, chocolates ( my DD's favorite), midol, pads and tampons (she decided not to try them at this time), a little case to carry them in her purse or school bag, wipes and bubble bath.

Good luck to you and your DD.

I love this idea-the kit- thanks for the idea! It's a nice way to mark the occasion.

My DM never spoke with me about periods or anything the least bit uncomfortable, so I'm a big talker with my kids. I second the recommendation a pp made for the American Girl book- The Care and Keeping of You. Really good information for girls.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

I feel for you. My DD11 started 2 weeks after turning 11. She had just seen the doctor and he said "any day"---he wasn't kidding!

What I did before she started (we knew it was coming sooner then her sister) was go on all the different websites and order samples. The ones who didn't offer them I just sent a comment to asking for thm. When she started she had a huge choice. Turned out she didn't care what kind she used so she was fine with the same ones her sister uses and that is good, we buy them in bulk at Sam's. My oldest had to start with tampon sright away. She had swimming at school and they had to be in the pool no exceptions. I would have fought it if she was uncomfortable, but she said no, that she was fine and sure enough first time she was fine. DD11 just turned 11 so she has only had 2 and has opted to hold off on trying them, but said she will try before swimming starts cause she doesn't want to sit out either.

As for meds, my DD still gags so I will try the apple sauce/ice cream thing. She still takes chewables though hasn't needed it yet for this, I am sure she will soon. So no advise. My oldest can take them and always could. I will say once you know when it is coming to start the meds a day ahead of time. I have severe endometrosis so I have to do this. It has helped my DD15 to have no discomfort.

Good luck, I have one more to go through this but both my older have handled it sooooo much better then I planned (and better then I did) so I am not too worried. She already has flipped though The American Girl Book so she is prepared.

 

[imsayin]

my friends that were the heaviest tampon users have had the worst problems.

Just to add my experience so that parents don't start freaking out about tampons: I always used tampons, never had cramps, and had no problems conceiving.

 

[snoopyluvsdis]

There is a product called Pill Glide. Its a fruit flavored spray you squirt in your mouth, then you take your pill. I bought this for my daughter at Walgreens.

 

[MSSANDRA]

You can get a pill cutter and just cut the pills in half. Alieve seems to be the choice for many doctors for this type of pain and I swear by them!

I agree to let her try different choices for products including tampons if you are ok with that. My mom did not let my sis and I use them when we were teens and it would have made life a lot easier.

 

[ilovejack02]

Just to add my experience so that parents don't start freaking out about tampons: I always used tampons, never had cramps, and had no problems conceiving.

Used them since I was 12 : ) all is fine with my baby making parts .

 

[disneyfan2kids]

Research has demonstrated that the retention of menstrual discharge promotes the backflow of endometrial cells from the uterus into the pelvic cavity, which is believed to increase the risk of endometriosis in some women.

FWIW - I was diagnosed with Endometriosis at age 19...and never used tampons up until that point.

Use them NOW... but didn't use them then...and still got dx with Endometriosis.

Been seeing specialists since age of 19...not a single one has ever come up with a specific "cause" of endometriosis.

My 2 cents...

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

FWIW - I was diagnosed with Endometriosis at age 19...and never used tampons up until that point.

Use them NOW... but didn't use them then...and still got dx with Endometriosis.

Been seeing specialists since age of 19...not a single one has ever come up with a specific "cause" of endometriosis.

My 2 cents...

Same with me. My mom told me that only "dirty" girls used tampons so I never tried them till I was much older (and realized she was wrong.) The endometrosis started right after I had my DD when I was 19.

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

My DDs started their period over a year ago and are starting to want to use tampons. They didn't have a hard time inserting it, but when they took it out they said it was extremely painful and refuses to try again. Any ideas why it wasn't painful inserting or inside but painful taking it out?

 

[disneyfan2kids]

My DDs started their period over a year ago and are starting to want to use tampons. They didn't have a hard time inserting it, but when they took it out they said it was extremely painful and refuses to try again. Any ideas why it wasn't painful inserting or inside but painful taking it out?

Sounds like maybe they're using one that has too heavy of a flow, thus it's coming out not "soaked" per se. Try going down a flow size, if that makes sense...

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Sounds like maybe they're using one that has too heavy of a flow, thus it's coming out not "soaked" per se. Try going down a flow size, if that makes sense...

That is what I thought too but they kept saying it was really wet. They were trying the Lite so I am not sure if there is anything smaller than that.

 

[disneyfan2kids]

That is what I thought too but they kept saying it was really wet. They were trying the Lite so I am not sure if there is anything smaller than that.

Maybe they're pulling out from a different direction then the exact angle it went in?

 

[mjkacmom]

Used them since I was 12 : ) all is fine with my baby making parts .

I had bad cramps before and after using tampons, as did dd14, and believe I am the most fertile woman on earth (unprotected sex 4 times in my life = 5 babies).

 

[mom2cookies]

Why not try natural remedy for easing the cramps? Never used pills ( seriously never lol) but a warming pad and something warm to drink like chamomile tea helped. Also, exercise helps.

To the PP that said her DD's complained of tampons being painful when removing them, i agree and do not use them for the same reason.

http://www.kotex.com/na/promotions/first-period-kit. Maybe this will help?

 

[disneyfan2kids]

I had bad cramps before and after using tampons, as did dd14, and believe I am the most fertile woman on earth (unprotected sex 4 times in my life = 5 babies).