My 10 Year Old Got Her Period Today...

From V. A. 10?? Quit feeding her vitamins. lol

But seriously-NO TAMPONS. I quit using them after the toxic shock scare of the 1980's. Pads are fine-just get the ones with wings for better protection.

As for the regularity...Each of us is different. Not even moms and daughters will necessarily be the same. Just tell her to keep you informed of her having her periods.

Later

Let her know that it's an option. Read through the instructions together, and let her know that it may feel uncomfortable at first. Take Care!

I agree with the others about the use of tampons, I have a 14 yr old who started at 12, she has used pads but wanted to try tampons this summer. I bought the ultra slims and although it took several attempts to get it right, she was able to use them by her july cycle. This is a good time to really talk to your daughter about her body being her own and give her the independence to make informed decisions. T F and I usually think alike, and I agree with her that communication is key. My daughter was so modest and embarrassed at first to talk about her periods, but after a couple of alarming laundry disasters, she's decided I'm the one person who deserves to know when she's starting so I can help her! Good luck and give dd a giant hug from the other women in the universe!!

Everyone is different. I started when I was 13. I told my M. from the beginning that I wanted to use tampons. The thought of a pad grossed me out. That is just me. I can't stand them. (The only time I've used them is after the birth of my two children.) She called the Dr and they said it was fine and to use the slender ones. My M. did a hand demestration........yes, I was embarrassed and it did take practice.I remember it not feeling right and my M. would say you shouldnt feel it so I tried again. Of course I was nervous, but finally figured it out. Like I said I ws 13. Maybe call the Dr. and ask about tampons at 10 and if your daughter is even comfortable even wanting to do that! Good luck I have two girls.not there yet.but soon!

Just want to put this out there - another option is the diva cup (www.divacup.com). I've been using it since January, and I LOVE it!!!! Does encourage a familiarity with yourself, but I think that's a really good thing.

Oh V.,

I shuddered when I read your post title because my daugter is about to turn 11 and I just know it is probably so close. I was just thinking today that I probably need to brush up with another conversation since it's been awhile. I remember being pretty regular right off the bat when I started. The one thing I wish my mom had done (she really didn't do a whole lot of anything as a mother but that's a different story for a different day) was help me keep up with it on the calendar so I would be prepared and expecting it each month. So, definitely put a little star or something on today's date and then help her count when the 28th day will be here so that she can have an idea when to be ready again.

As far as the tampon, there's no harm in trying, especially if she feels comfortable with you helping her get it in there. You probably know that they make some really small one's these days (not so when I was that young) so I think it's easier for the younger girls. It might be easier for her to make that her regular protection because sometimes the pads can be a little strong on the odor if you know what I mean.

Well, I don't envy you today, I'm sure I'm going to have to go to my room and cry for an hour when it happens to my daughter soon! :-(

I just start by saying that I don't envy you at all since I have 2 boys. I started my period when I was 13 and it was very heavy with horrible cramping diarreah, lower back pain for the 1st couple of years which lasted 7 days which 4-5 days was heavy. As I got older and got lighter, cramping got better and then it only lasted 3 or 4 days until I had my 1st son at 19. Then irregularity kicked in.
I didn't start using tampons until I was 15 and that was very tramatic for me. I person would NOT want my 10 yr old daughter to use them and open up a can of worms. There is NO WAY. I personally would wait until at least 14 or 15 or at the very least 13. That's just my opinion.
Hope this helps.

M.

If blood can come out - a tampon can go in, though it might be more difficult to insert - it is possible to use them comfortably even when you are a virgin... often insertion issues are related to fear, lack of knowledge, not wanting to "touch" yourself, and not heavy enough flow to provide adequate "lubrication".

My dd is almost 13 and recently started - I have bought her the slender tampons and I have explained how to use them - she is not ready to use them yet - but she does miss out on swimming. I was a swimmer and had to learn to use them once I started my period...

My dd is 5'4" and 125 pounds - I know lots of women who are smaller than she is that have babies... it is more about personal choice, comfort and maturity. I think I would have a hard time at age 10 with that one - I wish you the best of luck. I want my daughter to know she has choices - and to do what is comfortable for her.

To those who are worried that tampon use "ruptures" the hymen - the hymen does not fully cover the vaginal opening - or blood could not exit - the hymen may finish opening (tearing) with tampon use - but can also do so from sports and other activities - it has nothing to do with one's virginity!

V., everyone woman is different. When I started my period I was heavy and always have been. It just depends on what her body wants to do. If you need further advice, ask her doctor. As far as tampons, I say no. She's not sexually active and I think they would be uncomfortably for her. I tried it before I started having sex and it was horrible. I think 10 is too young. I mean, you're a woman. Think about how you would feel at 10 pushing something up your va jay jay. Once again, if you need further advice I think the best route is to ask her doctor instead of mamasource

I will be facing this soon too with my granddaughter. I just do not know how a 10 yr old can even get a tampon in. I also was in my late teens when I used them but we used a mini thing. I had a hard time getting that in as I was so small. My 13 yr old step daughter came to stay at my house when I was dating her dad. We lived in different states. She made me buy a ton of different things and she could not get them in. I remember a very embarrassing time when we were camping and she has soiled her panties and stayed in the stall in the restroom. There was a line and I kept telling her to hurry up. Fianlly I had to get her panties from under the door and go wash them out. So many embarrassing times. I started once when we were at a beach on a field trip and wore white pants. I was not about to get out of the water because I did not want the boys to see. The woman there was so kind and got all of us girls to go to the store so I was not singled out to buy what we needed. They all hovered around me so no one would see. What a hard time. Then my last was in Europe with a friend when I was 50. She gave me a bad time for washing out undies and putting them hidden in the shower. Not sure what she would have wanted me to do. Bad enough to have to deal with that on a trip and it was a heavy one because it was about my last one. So interested in hearing what others do now. We just wore those bulky pads.I was 13 when I started but my almost 12 granddaughter is close too. The dentist said a year ago that her gums were bleeding and that is one sign. I remember a friend that her new husband brought home flowers for the daughter and took them out to dinner to celebrate. I did not want my dad to know. We are all different. G. W

Welcome to the world of teens....

I helped my daughter keep a calendar so she could predict when she was about to start. This also came in handy with the pedi when she asked about her period. My dd is very predictable and I can always tell by her mood the week before:)

I had a hysterectomy back in 2001 and I had not even purchased supplies for her. I was enjoying no cycle too much!!

I think my daughter started around 11. She might have worn pads 1 time, after that tampons all the way. She will use a pad at night.

If your dd wants to use tampons, let her. There is no harm in using tampons, just make sure she knows when to change them, etc.

My mom was/is so prudish and frigid....she did not want me using tampons. However, I got them on my own an she had no idea I was using them. Please don't make your daughter feel embarrassed or dirty because of her period. You sound like a good mother who communicates. COMMUNICATION is KEY, especially now.

Congratulations on this milestone.

Oh the joys of becoming a woman....like your daughter, I also started my period when I was 10. I distinctly remember my mother asking me "So do you want to use tampons or diapers?" She really didn't like pads! LOL I wore tampons without any problems. The main thing was just putting them in. I felt that it was a lot more private and that I had more control over my period then. And I didn't feel as dirty. The other thing that I liked as I got older, was not having to take my entire purse to the bathroom during the school year cuz EVERYONE would ask, why are you taking your purse?
Being 10, 13, 15, 21, I don't think it really makes a difference which one a person uses. Don't feel that there is a "too young" for tampons. Regardless, period means a whole new chapter is beginning. Whichever one she does end up using, the only thing that I beg of you is to make sure you guys have had the sex talk & birth control (even if it is just condoms). I say this because I worked for almost 8 years at a women's clinic (abortion) and WAY too many young girls found themselves visiting us. And I do mean young. It was not uncommon to see a 12 year old. So please, please, please, make sure that you guys have spoken about this and don't assume that your daughter "would never" because that is what all those other mothers found themselves saying.
Okay off my soapbox now! Sorry :) Hope she is comfortable with whatever she is using!
M.

Hi. I work as a specialty tech for gyn surgery. I also have a 15 year old daughter who started when she was 11. It is very normal for the first year or 2 to be irregular. I am not sure where you live, but Harris Methodist Fort Worth gives a class that you go to with your child to learn about periods and your body. They bring all kinds of products for the girls to look at and examine so that they can feel more comfortable. I took my daughter and I think it ws a really positive experience. I think tampons are fine, especially now that they have so many different sizes and styles. Good luck.

It was many many years ago that I started, but I do remember using my first tampon when I was about 11 or 12 b/c I had a pool party to go to and I didn't want to miss it. It took me a couple of tries to get the tampon in, but once I finally got it right and wore it a few days it was much more comfortable than pads. I was very heavy in junior high that I wore tampons and a small pad so I didn't leak.

Every girls period is going to be different. You might want to buy her a calendar she can put in her room and mark when she gets her period. Hopefully after a few months she will see a pattern so she can be prepared for when she does start. Good luck.

Hello!

I was 10 when I started, and everyone was so proud, except me! I HATED using pads, but my mum thought I was too young for tampons. I bought myself a box, read the instructions, then practised just in my hands for a couple of times. It took me 2 times to insert it comfortably in my body, and that was it! I think I was just a bit nervous to start with.

As far as regularity, I had some spotting for a few months, then settled into a very regular cycle. My mum got me a diary so I could keep track of due dates (I would put a little star on my due date, then a check mark on my actual start date), which really helped me plan events etc.

I never had any problems with swimming etc, and always felt very confident.

My mum told the whole family when I started which mortified me! I wish you and your daughter well.

S.

V.,

My daughter started her period when she was 11. It was a real shocker for me!

Anyway... she is still not regular, and she has had her period for about 9 months. It is a bit more reliable now than in the beginning, but it seems to last for about 10 days! I asked her doctor, and she said for the first year (or so) it could be really crazy for her.

As far as tampons - I have practically BEGGED my daughter to use them! (For me, they are so much better than pads all the time.) She said she has tried them, but they hurt. So, I got the plastic applicator type / slender / light. (Playtex I think). She was able to get one in to go swimming. She hasn't used them since.

I figure if she is old enough to get her period, she is old enough to use tampons...

Good luck to you.

Sorry for the timing. I am just getting a chance to play catch up.

I am still not regular. Have been that way since I started.

Tampons. I would only say if she asked for them and it is swimming. At this age she is still petite. A side affect of
using tampons can be cramps. My dad's second wife used tampons and had very bad cramps...when she stopped using tampons...no cramps.

Remember to be there for her with answers and a dr if need be. My mom laughed when I started.

Let me tell you my story and you can decide what to do about the tampons. I pretty much had to read the instruction sheet as well. I was using pads until one day there was family event where we were all going swimming. Of course, I wasn't going to use pads; however, i didn't want to ask how to use a tampon. In fact, I didn't think that I was supposed to for some reason. I didn't know that i had to push it all the way in and it was sticking out of my swimsuit like a "you know what". That was horrible. Then I decided that I would go back to pads because the tampons were not working out. Again, there was a swim event and i wore a pad. We were all in the lake and my pad floated up to the top. Just remembering this it was horrible. Anyway, I could go on about the stories. However, she eventually will have to wear tampons b/c of the swimming; however, i would just teach her the proper way to wear them and make sure that she changes them often. I have two girls (very young right now). However, I hope to minimize their embarassing moments as much as possible based on my experiences. Not sure how that will work just yet. Good luck!

Hi V., you've recieved a lot of good advice. However, I have always been under the impression that tampons rupture the hymon in a young girl. That was my experience with my girls. Just thought I'd pass that along. I know now days everyone sees things a bit different but you might ask your own Gyn. about that. My oldest was 16 year old virgin & using tampons the first time was a nightmare. Hope things go well for you and your daughter. Just remember, she may be so irregular that she doesn't have another period for months. God bless you both & I pray he gives you the wisdom & patients to handle the situation.