Tampons and 8 year olds?

[DontOpenDeadInside]

My dd has precocious puberty and started her periods 2 weeks before she was 8. She has since had 2 injections to stop it but the last one was really traumatic for her as she knew what to expect after the 1st time (large needle in bottom). I had to pin her down. So the nurse has said if she's going to be like that next time, it's probably not worth the stress for her. So if she no longer has these injections her period will come back and if she gets one while we are on holiday next year she won't be able to go in the pool/sea which will really upset her (her sisters and cousin will be going in)
So, do you think 8 (9 a few weeks after) is too young for tampons? Hopefully she will not get her period that week, but just trying to think of solutions now (I'm assuming the gp wouldn't prescribe her the period-delaying tablet)

[Onedaftmonkey]

Crikey that's a tricky one. Your poor dd. I think personally if she's a mature 8 + then the very very small tampons may be ok. But only if she is absolutely comfortable with the idea. Good luck.

[TyrannosauraRegina]

Lil-lets make teen tampons which are smaller/slimmer than regular ones, which might be an idea to try? I don't think they're hugely absorbent so might not work if she has very heavy periods, but would probably do for a few hours swimming.

Also I would suggest not trying them for the first time on holiday, when she's stressed about wanting to go in the pool/sea - get some for her to try out before then. She'll also then have a better idea of when it will need changing.

[drivingmisspotty]

I think it depends on the individual, really, and what she feels comfortable with. I remember finding it an ordeal at 14 trying to use tampons. I guess I didn't have great knowledge of my body or confidence putting something inside, plus got worried about TSS. Other girls would probably feel more confident and I think you can get smaller teen tampons now? Can you talk to her about it? She might think it worth trying so she can go in pool, or might not be bothered about the pool, or might think after all that being brave for the injection would be worth it.

[BusStopBetty]

Are there other options to make the injection less distressing? Can she have local anathestic by cream or freezing spray first?

[dementedpixie]

Lillets do a teen tampon and Tampax has a lites version that is thinner than normal ones. Hopefully she won't be due while you are on holiday and then neither of you has to worry about it

[BusStopBetty]

And if she has monthly injections can she swap to three monthly ones?

[dementedpixie]

I would definitely discuss the options with her first I..e no injection means periods, sanitary towels/tampons, etc and injection means none of those things. She might opt for the injection after all

[EveOnline2016]

Even at the age of 30 I can't use tampons. I have tried every brand going but it's not for me.

Before my wedding I was due on, so after going to a family planning clinic to see if I could have the pill back to back they gave me a medication to stop periods. Would this be more realistic solution.

[2014newme]

It's not just periods though it's bone growth etc
I would continue with the jabs

[franincisco]

My dd also had PP. Tampons just would not have even entered my mind to be honest. Changing a pad was a big enough ordeal, but I suppose if you feel your dd is ready for it then why not? In saying that I tried to use a tampon for years before I actually got it right!

[Anotherdayanotherdollar]

Could you give it a few months and try the injection again? Poor dd. Periods can be very irregular at such a young age. Maybe it won't be an issue at the time. Try not to stress about it.

[hungryhippo90]

I've not got much useful to say, even though I should, as my 8 year old started her period last month.
Though, I do remember that there was an article I'd recently read about women who take a course of tablets to make their period come later. I won't hazard a guess at the name, because I'm likely to mix it up and give you a name of a fertility drug of some sort!
This may be worthwhile going to the drs and seeing if they can figure out what it is and give it.
That would be even better than tampons.
One word of advice, if at all possible, try her with non applicator ones. Even now I find tampons with applicators too long for me.

[BusStopBetty]

Actually, that's a good point re bone growth etc.

I'd explore the option of topical anaesthetic (or possibly even by injection - small needles) and use the promise of a small treat afterwards. That's got to be easier than using tampons.

[Ketsby]

I never managed to use tampons. Even as an older teen, no chance as a younger teen and I can't imagine the logistics at all of an 8 year old. I sort of managed one after having a 9lb baby but they still weren't 'right'.

I'd try the injection at least until after the holiday so she can enjoy that, and then it's up to her if she's ready to embrace the shitty no-swimming-once-a-month joys of womanhood. With pads.

[TwentyCups]

I couldn't use tampons until I lost my virginity - I think in hindsight I wasn't angling correctly as I'm sure it would have been possible. I still can't use the applicator ones. If you are going to try, I would go for lil ets non applicator ones.
Would you be able to help her insert one (during a period pre holiday) or would she be embarrassed/uncomfortable with that. Also maybe demonstrating to her how you do it yourself. If this is something she is uncomfortable with then of course don't, but I wish someone had helped me get the knack of it!

[cunningartificer]

I'm surprised that the nurse thinks the stress of a one-off injection is less than the stress of getting your period at 8.

I would ask the doctor who initially prescribed the injections, and ask again for advice.

[viagrafalls]

Sorry if this is naive but why couldn't she go in the sea? She could wear a pad and take it out before swimming. I can understand hygiene reasons in a pool but the sea is full of other peoples pee all sorts. Agree though it its a horrible choice and the injection is probably better, poor DD.

[DontOpenDeadInside]

Thanks for all the replies, she does have the 3 monthly ones. (July then last week) She had absolutely no fear of needles before July, happily had blood tests done, but the injection was just too painful for her.
I've tried to explain as best I can to her, that she could just have 2 more to take her past the holiday. This is hard to explain but I think she is very young emotionally but has an older mind iyswim. For example, she has terrible hygiene, doesn't wash her hands after toilet etc but she is quite intelligent. She is also very stubborn and once she's made up her mind, she won't budge.

I'm seeing the doctor in a few weeks to discuss, but the nurse never mentioned any alternatives like local anesthethic (sp) she did give dd the option of a cold spray, but dd was in a state by then so refused.

[dementedpixie]

Precocious puberty starts under 8 so maybe as she is now 8 the nurse feels her age is ok for her periods to start. I think it's norethisterone tablets that are used to delay periods but don't know if they would be used for children due to side effects

[Lorelei76]

ugh I feel for her, I had this at 8 as well. (There was never any suggestion it should be stopped though, I might have liked that).

I couldn't have gone near a tampon at that age, it's up to her. I do remember a few family holidays where I couldn't go in the water. Annoying.

[PickledCauliflower]

Tampons are tricky to use at first so she may find that stressful too.
I would keep her well stocked with sanitary pads for now, discuss how tampons work, but no pressure to use them.
It must be very stressful for her - sorry to her she is experiencing this at such a young age.

[DontOpenDeadInside]

She's had a lot of emotional troubles too that she was referred to CAHMS for, but was discharged and she sees a school counsellor once a week. She used to wish she was dead etc so I have to be really sensitive to her feelings on how I deal with it all.

[DontOpenDeadInside]

That's what the nurse said, as she's now 8.5 she is technically in the "normal" age range but I do feel it is too young, especially with all her emotional troubles on top.