Need advice...girl issues....

[minkydog]

DD was 10 when she started her periods. It was summer and she wanted to go to the pool. She had been reading "The Care & Keeping of You" so she knew about tampons. She asked and I got her some of the Juniors. DD didn't want me to teach her about it, said she would read the directions and figure it out. And she did. The only thing I really needed to tell her was to change it every 3 hours to avoid toxic shock syndrome.

I wish my own mother had been so forthcoming. She told me not to use tampons "because your husband might not like it." I was frigging 15~ I was a majorette for the band and let me tell you, tampons would have made my life easier.

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

It is a personal choice IMO and I will let DD use them right from the get go if she wants.

If your DD does choose to use tampons just make sure she really knows how to insert one.

My friend's daughter wouldn't use a tampon for the longest time because she said they hurt really bad. My friend didn't think anything of it because tampons do hurt some girls.

Turns out though, she just didn't know how to insert one properly. She didn't realize you just use the plastic to insert the tampon and then throw it away; she would wear it with the plastic still on and I can imagine that would hurt

 

[laurie31]

Add me to the list of Moms with a daughter who can't get the hang of it DD has had her period now six or seven times and tries each time but becomes frustrated and gives up. The longest she has used one was for about an hour but said it was too uncomfortable.

FWIW, the AG book tells these girls that they shouldn't use a tampon overnight and DD accepts everything verbatim. I keep telling her that overnight is fine, 12-18 hours is not but she won't even try at nighttime.

Every outing and every vacation is becoming an issue as in: we're going to DL in April and I won't be able to....we're going skiing in three weeks and I won't be able to...how can I sleep at XXX's house Friday night if I have my period....because she is still not regular, ANY event falls under this category. Thank God she got her period today and Xmas and the ski trip are not ruined

A lot of girls that age sleep longer than 8 hours. Really 4-6 hours is a much safer window. I am also afraid to wear a tampon overnight. We had a 12 year old who died of TSS here a few years ago.

When she started showing symptoms, her family thought she had a stomach bug and just put her to bed. Her mom didn't even know she was wearing a tampon. Thank goodness you are talking to your DD about it. She doesn't need to be so afraid of TSS that she's afraid to wear tampons, but she does need to know that it's serious to leave them in for too long.

I totally understand about gymnastics and swimming, but I am wondering why one can't ski wearing a pad? Surely it's well-hidden under all the clothing?

 

[NHdisneylover]

Maybe I am showing my age but when I started my period at age 11 the girls rarely talked to each other regarding it. I'm not saying that is the case these days but do young girls (11-14) talk to each other about pads, tampons, periods, etc.? That isn't a flippety question by any means - my daughter is only 7 1/2 so its not like I have encountered this yet.

From what I hear among my DD and her friends and among the scouts (and what DD tells me), no they do not talk about it. The exception is if someone is caught unprepared and needs to find supplies. Generally everyone knows to go to DD so I am not sure if they even ask around or just ask her. They also know to go to her for bandaids, etc. Even the teachers will go looking for DD when someone needs a bandaid She is little miss prepared.

I just wanted to say that I think a huge issue is the young girl is afraid or unsure about inserting the thing far enough. From my experience, and from what I understand, if they are well placed where they belong, there should probably not be any real pressure or pain.

TMI, I know!!!

But, you might want to remind young girls that they really do fit in there. The old adage - outa sight, outa mind..
If you can see or feel it.... you might not be there yet.

YES - plastic
YES - small, (and 'shorter' helps.)

This is exactly what my OB/GYN said. She said the nerves are in the lower areas so they feel it then and then stop inserting further from fear it will get worse. If they just push all the way in it goes past the nerve endings and is not an issue.

A lot of girls that age sleep longer than 8 hours. Really 4-6 hours is a much safer window. I am also afraid to wear a tampon overnight. We had a 12 year old who died of TSS here a few years ago.

When she started showing symptoms, her family thought she had a stomach bug and just put her to bed. Her mom didn't even know she was wearing a tampon. Thank goodness you are talking to your DD about it. She doesn't need to be so afraid of TSS that she's afraid to wear tampons, but she does need to know that it's serious to leave them in for too long.

I totally understand about gymnastics and swimming, but I am wondering why one can't ski wearing a pad? Surely it's well-hidden under all the clothing?

I agree that overnight is too long. 4 hours is as long as I am comfortable with--a better safe than sorry approach.

About the skiing--it is not that it is visible but that it is really hard to get a pad to stay in place well when you are that active.

 

[clarabelle]

I don't find the cardboard much different from plastic at all
Plus -isn't the plastic is bad for the environment?
She can use a little vaseline if they are comfortable going in
I hate the idea of all the plastic applicators hanging round the planet forever

 

[2Kds2K9]

Here's an example of True Teamwork!

One of my DD's friends on her HS basketball team had never used tampons. The entire team was in the bathroom talking her through it! She got it!

The thought of the whole team encouraging this girl just makes me !

 

[mhsjax]

My DD does competitive Cheer too. She is 11 and started this past summer, I have been real lucky. No period at competition yet, but then again she isn't regular at all. I told her how to use tampons but she wasn't able to. I told her when ever she wants to try they are in there and is she has any questions just ask. so far none of her friends use them either, maybe they are still a little too young, physically.

 

[mhsjax]

I don't find the cardboard much different from plastic at all
Plus -isn't the plastic is bad for the environment?
She can use a little vaseline if they are comfortable going in
I hate the idea of all the plastic applicators hanging round the planet forever

No vaseline, ky yes, but not vaseline. sorry but card board wasn't happening for me, Too bad about the environment, I wasn't about to give up my plastic.

 

[Rora]

I'd let her use them now.

EDIT: I'd also buy her NICE tampons. Don't use the ones with the cardboard applicator for her first couple of months. That's only going to make it tougher. I always used the Pearl tampons and those were great.

 

[SC Minnie]

Here's an example of True Teamwork!

One of my DD's friends on her HS basketball team had never used tampons. The entire team was in the bathroom talking her through it! She got it!

The thought of the whole team encouraging this girl just makes me !

This reminds me of college. My BFF had never used them. Me and her room mates were outside the bathroom door 'helping' her figure out what to do and cheering her on.

 

[Wishing on a star]

This is exactly what my OB/GYN said. She said the nerves are in the lower areas so they feel it then and then stop inserting further from fear it will get worse. If they just push all the way in it goes past the nerve endings and is not an issue.

Exactly, and thats where your muscles will 'squeeze' and put pressure and cause soreness.

Outa sight, outa mind...
If you can see it or feel it, you aren't quite there yet.

 

[brockash]

It's not an age thing. If she wants to, let her. If she doesn't, don't make an issue. I firmly believe these kids figure this stuff out for themselves, without moms worrying about it with friends, or the internet.

Maybe I was just really stupid, but when I first started getting my period, I really would've preferred if my mom did let me know about tampons and give me the little instruction thing. She never did, and I still can't stand using pads, but it was pretty frustrating not having any idea, and not knowing if it was safe or not. And I'm not one that likes to talk about that kind of stuff with my mom at all, but knowledge is a good thing, and I'm all for sharing/getting info., not just "letting a kid figure it out for themselves."

 

[tlbwriter]

Maybe I am showing my age but when I started my period at age 11 the girls rarely talked to each other regarding it. I'm not saying that is the case these days but do young girls (11-14) talk to each other about pads, tampons, periods, etc.? That isn't a flippety question by any means - my daughter is only 7 1/2 so its not like I have encountered this yet.

My DD is 11 and she doesn't even know if any of her friends have started their periods yet, so I'm guessing they don't talk about it!

 

[scrapquitler]

How old was your daughter when you let her use tampons? My DD got her first period yesterday. She's using pads at the moment but she does competition cheerleading. I'm thinking tampons would be the better option, at the very least, for practice and competitions. She will be 12 in February.

TIA for any and all thoughts on this!

My DD dances. I figured that because of dance, she'd be less embarassed using tampons, so I explained how to use them from day one, and she has been using them ever since. One suggestion: get the LITE tampons from Tampax, they are smaller and easier to insert.

 

[bubblemom]

my daughter was 11 and since she was so active with swimming/camping and twirling I got her the sport kind. She really likes them and won't use anything else.