DD Just Started Her Period,wants to Go Swimming Do I Introduce Thin Tampons Yet?

Why not?

Just give her a day or two to get used to them, and to ask you any questions, before she heads to the lake.

I started using tampons with my very first period at age 12 (80s). No harm done.

Nothing wrong with it. I started using a tampon with my first period. I was 13.5 and a ballet dancer... there was just no way a pad was even an option. In fact I NEVER used a pad until I was like 20 and had a colposcopy and then again after my son was born at 24.

Also, you don't HAVE to get the special ones packaged and marketed to "teens." Any tampon will do. She might have an easier time with a plastic applicator (even though they're terrible for the environment) at this point because they just kinda slide better (tmi).

HTH (I'm feeling pretty lucky to have a boy)
T.

First of all let me start by saying, prior to June 18th I would have jumped on board with the other posters..."Yes, go for it. Show her how to use them, etc."

But our lives changed forever when my perfectly healthy 15 yo daughter was put on life support due to Toxic Shock Syndrome due to tampon use during her menstrual cycle.

And..she did what she was supposed to do... changed frequently (she's very OCD about cleanliness). Doctors doubted it at first but came to determine that she followed the directions as stated on the box.

She spent 11 days in the hospital between PICU and Pediatrics. The doctors say it will take up to a year for recovery. Her right lung is still not functioning at full capacity. She is having issues with an artery in her right leg. The girl who was full of energy is exhausted after a short walk.

But...we are blessed to have her here and healing.

All this said to say this: We are taught to wash our hands when we are done using the restroom. As young women, we should be taught to always, always, always wash our hands before using the restroom especially during menstruation when bacteria such as Staph A can be introduced into our bodies through tampon use.

And a note: every box of tampons says to wash your hands before use.

It's a tough call. Tampons are just so convenient.

And there are many, many women (myself included) who have used tampons for years and years with no consequence.

I just feel like the warning about washing your hands is something young women should be hearing.

If you think she will change the tampon and be responsible about that, yes let her.

Well, I hope you will still take your child to the Dr. (I'm sorry, I'm still worried about her sticking her fingers in her own rectum. That was NOT a normal reaction. I'm slightly horrified, that you weren't worried about THAT. Not normal or healthy for her to do, mom.)

I was using them at 9.

Kudos to my mum for this... Many of my friends HATED their bodies, because they couldn't do fun things because of their period... Or to be more precise: the stupid PADS.

1 BIG trick, make sure she inserts it all the way (not just the tip) and THEN plunges. Lots of women I know didn't learn this for YEARS, and hated how 'uncomfortable' tampons were. Um... You can't feel them if they're inserted right?!! (aka above the enervated lower canal).

It's an interior bandaid, NOT a stopper! Not plugging, absorbing!

You can demo straight this without contorting like Cirque du Soleil... Just make an OK with your hand, swung your pointer finger down until it's closed up (not too tight, so the tampon can push through GENTLY), 'insert' all the way to the base, and THEN plunge. Aka you can do this at the table.

Absolutely introduce her to tampons.

Yes, help her live a real life. A tampon is very normal for young girls. By denying her time with friends/family because she is " on her period" will do far more damage to her.

Please make sure you keep the dr appt as well because what you described her as doing to herself in an earlier post is not normal.

That behavior alone warrants a Dr visit.

PS: I had my period in the 70's and I used Pursettes, OB then Playtex

I can't think of a reason why she shouldn't use tampons ( if that's what she chooses). I know I used tampons , soon after getting a period. I was a late bloomer, though. I was probably closer to 14 , when I started using them.

Definitely get them for her!! I've been a competitive swimmer all my life. I had to use a tampon moments after getting my first period. I've never had any problems. And who wants to go to a lake and not be able to swim?! She'll be fine. Have fun at the lake!

First, yes they did have tampons in the 70's...because I was 13 in the 70's and used them.

Nobody showed me how, I figured it out by myself. I just got one from the box my sister used and read the directions. I will say that it did hurt to begin with...but I dealt with it.

Thank god I used tampons...can't imagine teenagehood without them. Of course pads back then weren't like they are today, but even today, they just aren't as good as tampons. For kids in sports like gymnastics and swimming, it really is the only option other than sitting out.

Don't make her resent her period straight out of the gate!
There is no reason she can not use tampons.
OB is a wonderful brand, no applicator so it goes in a lot better, you have more control, and more comfortable and fits in your pocket.
If you're worried have her put one in when she changes into her suit and takes it out when she changes back into clothes. Or give her a water proof watch that she can wear to keep an eye on the time so she doesn't wear it for longer than 8 hours. Get her the lowest absorbancy.
Tampons are a lot different now then they were when they first came on the market.

Yes, help her live a full life.

Our daughter on the second month of her period told me." I am done with pads, tell me about tampons."

I purchased the slender. I had her practice pushing the applicator so she could see how it should work..

Then I stood outside of the bathroom door and gave her these instructions.

Sit on the potty, open your legs feel for the 3 holes you have down there. The front one is where your pee comes out, the next one, place your finger in there.. that is where the tampon will go.

Place the applicator in there and push on the tampon the way you did when it was just in your hand. You should not feel it,

it will not get lost in there, it will not stab anything. Pull out the applicator.. All done!

Also usually while bathing, showering or swimming, your period stops, so she should not worry about it while in the water. Make sure she feels ok after each hour for the first day.

She will do great!

My mom showed me tampons on DAY ONE of my period, she didnt want me all diapered down with a dumb pad. Took me a little time to get one in comfortably, but was well worth it since I was an active tomboy, pads would NOT fit into my lifestyle at all whatsoever. So, I'd totally teach her about them. I didnt have daughters, so I didnt have to go through that, but I do appreciate the fact that my mother was keen enough to do it for me.

I believe my older sister introduced them to me so I could swim when camping, and these were in the days of 1 size fits all thick and annoying tampons. The thin, "pearl" finish applicators are super smooth and tapered for easy insertion. Get the light or medium size and she should be fine.

My daughters are in ballet, and I know from speaking with the other moms that all of these girls have used tampons from the start. As Thea mentioned, there is really no way to deal with pads in a ballet leotard! From all that I've heard, there haven't been any issues or problems with any of these girls using tampons.

My daughter has not had her period yet, but we have spoken about it, and she wants to use a Diva Cup like I have. Since the Diva Cup brand is a little big for her (at least, I think it would be), we did some research and decided to buy the LadyCup in the smallest size (and in purple - that's the color she wanted LOL). Anyway, that's our plan for when she starts her period. We will see how that goes!

I would say no, but I am pushing 30 and just learned how to use them myself. They still give me the creeps.

The only reason I would not introduce tampons yet is that she needs to actually learn the ins and outs about menstruation. She should know about pads. How to wear them, how to take care of them. How often to change them. What her body does that she can actually SEE. (We miss a lot of that with tampons. What happens in the water with having a period. That kind of thing.

If the swimming and tubing is near the end of her cycle, it might not matter since by then she might be spotting. She could wear a panty liner and it probably wouldn't show.

If you DO decide to introduce her to tampons, here's a way to do it. Get a mirror and put it in the bathroom floor and tell her to squat over it and look at herself. Tell her to pee a little on the mirror and watch where the pee comes out. When she sees that, tell her that her vagina opening is under that. Have her put vaseline on the tampon and sit on the toilet and put the tampon in, angling it towards the small of her back. It might be hard to do - it might hurt because she'll be stretching her hymen. She might not want to once she tries. Tell her that it HAS to go up farther than the muscle or she will feel it and it will hurt her.

This might totally freak her out. That's another reason that I wouldn't do it this soon. However, others have and dealt with it fine, and you know your daughter. So you decide how you think she will take it.

Good luck!
Dawn

My daughter will be 13 late next month. She's been having periods since she was 11 1/2 yrs. old. She used pads for the first one and has used only tampons since then. She hated pads with a passion. I simply took it out of the pkg., showed her how to hold it, and what direction to do it and gave her the pamphlet that comes in the box (directions, warnings, etc...) No problem whatsoever.

I recommend that you give her the option, the pkg., and let her know that you are available if she has questions.

Definitely show her now. I just introduced my 14 year old to tampons last week and she got her period at 11.5. So, I waited, but wish I had done it sooner. She is an avid swimmer and instead of missing out, this was the obvious option. I bought the very small, applicator-free kind by Tampax (I think) and let her keep trying. She finally got one in, but I did text her to remind her to take it out after a few hours just so she gets into the habit of it. Making sure she changed them frequently was my major concern. That same day, she switched to a pad after swimming and was fine. We'll see what she decides to do next month, but now she has an option.

If she is just starting then offer her the option of a tampon just for when she is in the water. I suffered 1 year of sleep away camp with just pads and it was no fun at all. The next year I had tampons. Pads in the water are uncomfortable and potentially embarrassing. If she is toward the end of her period she might be okay with a panty liner since the flow pretty much stops when you are in the water.

I grew up on swim and water polo team. I started my period when I was 11 and didn't ever use a tampon until I was 14. I just remember I never really bled when I was swimming very much. I've always had lighter periods though. If you think she will need it, then go ahead and get the smaller ones for her. Or leave it up to her if she wants to use it

We live in AZ and my daughter got her period earlier in the year (she's 12). We *tried* the tampons, but she is afraid of them so she uses pads for now until she is a little older. However, she still swims when she's on her period. I had mentioned the tampon issue to my friend and she said, oh, my girls swim all the time without a tampon and its never been an issue. I was afraid she would get out of the water with a trail of blood streaming down her leg (sorry, TMI) but its never happened. Good luck!