Periods & tampons....

[SilverLining]

This has probably been asked 100s of times but DD2 is 10 and started her periods in March - she is handling it very well indeed and we're very proud of her! But she is a keen swimmer and dancer and with summer holidays looming she has asked if she could use tampons which I am more than happy for her to do but she just can't get on with them at all. She got herself in such a state and said it really hurt and then starting crying about how she won't be able to swim on holiday etc etc DD1 has been trying to help her too but in the end I told her to stop and try again tomorrow. She is quite self conscious but will also talk about it but not sure what else I can do to help her. Told her she'll get it eventually but she wants to be able to do it now!!
Doesn't help that I've had a coil for 10 years so periods for me are a distant memory!!!
Any experience/help gratefully received.....

[froubylou]

I have this to come. DD is almost 12 and started a few months ago but tampons are not what she wants right now.

I would buy her a couple of boxes of the lightest applicator tampons, the lightest non applicator tampons and maybe a box of those pearl ones. Tell her to try on her heaviest day and just play around until she gets it right.

Thinking about it those pearl ones are the only ones I can get in properly these days so maybe start with those.

[dementedpixie]

Try the ones with plastic applicators maybe? Demonstrate to her the angle you need to insert it. Try lying down on the bed? You get lites that are thinner than the others too

[messystressy]

I was the same when I just started my period...I just couldn't work tampons. I only started using them when I was about 16-17. No help, just sympathy!

[SilverLining]

Ahhhh thank you all! I've got the pearl ones which DD1 said are easiest but maybe I need to show her the angle etc I've just looked put he teens range Lillets do a extra light one which I might try but thanks for all the sympathy - just crap for them isn't it??

[dementedpixie]

Tampax do a lites one too. We will have this to come as we go on holiday this weekend and Dd will more than likely be due while we are away. She is 12 and started age 11.

[SilverLining]

Thanks - off to boots tomorrow! We're away with group of friends so will be awful if she can't swim! Hopefully we'll crack it.... Hope your dd can too!

[dancemom]

DD is 10 and started about 6 months ago. She is also a swimmer and dancer so started using tampons almost straight away. I encouraged her to crouch down and The first time she put some Vaseline on the tampon and it seemed to help. I bought her the teen range ones which are tiny and suit her well.

[Mrsderekshepard]

I find li-lets easier to use than tampax . Maybe try a few different brands.

[TheDropBear]

If she can't get the hang of them see if the doctor will prescribe norehisterone to delay her period. Would be horrible for her to miss out.

[ChickyDuck]

A little bit of lube (just get ky jelly or something plain rather than durex flavoured or whatever) on the tip can really help.

[SilverLining]

Great - thanks again for all suggestions! We're prepared now for the next time & determined to crack it!! Fingers crossed!!!

[MummaMinnie]

Gosh, we are going through the same thing here and it looks like DD will be due her next period while we're on holiday, poor chick. She had a go tonight with a Lil-lets teens applicator tampon and it wasn't wholly unsuccessful but I think she needs some more practice. I remember my first experience and I only got the hang of it when my mum suggested using KY Jelly so perhaps that's what I'll get DD to try next.

[SilverLining]

Oh it's rubbish isn't it?? Hope your DD can crack it too!! So hard growing up for them - hope for a successful summer!!!

[mineofuselessinformation]

I had a big thread on here a while back about my dd who couldn't get on with tampons at all....
She had to leave it for a while, and I'm still not sure (she's at that 'don't ask me mum it's too embarrassing stage), but I think she's using them now.
It might be a case of having another try every now and again. I still recall my first attempts at using a tampon and it being determined to reappear. sometimes it just takes time to get used to it all.

[BeenThereTooSEL]

I'm 30 and still can't use tampons. Poor sausage I hope she finds a solution!

[baking4life]

Lilets do a great teen range and they are smaller tampons from boots.
Your poor daughter periods are horrible, my dd 13yo still absolutely hates them she started at 12 though 10 is so young to have to cope with that.

[Dafadddu]

My DD is 14 and refuses to try tampons. She is an avid footballer and i wish that she would try to use them. Were going on holiday in a few weeks and perhaps her period will arrive and I've told her she can't go swimming.

I ask her every bloody month!!!!!

[JustDanceAddict]

My DD is 14 and won't try. She's due on at the tail end of our hols so am hoping she's late!! Will take some Pearl ones with incase. I'm taking noristherone as I'm due on a week before her!!

[dementedpixie]

Luckily dd didn't get hers on holiday so we didn't need to use the tampons after all.

[Knightridergirl]

I use a mooncup and I've never looked back!
They are expensive initially ( I bought mine for £21) but if you add up the cost of tampons/pads throughout the year, it works out to a similar total. I know the mooncup is not for everyone but it takes away the fear of toxic shock syndrome and is chemical-free, its made of medical grade silicone which can be washed and re-used safely.
It took me a couple goes to (ahem) get it in right, but once I got used to it I don't even feel anything, its quite comfortable (once its sitting right, I mean). I've even used it whilst swimming and I can assure you that I had no problems. Maybe she can give it a try?

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Is she aiming at the small of her back rather than 'up?' once I realised that I was ok.

[Hulababy]

DD started at the same age and about 4 months later it coincided with a trip to Centre Parcs - pretty much swimming every day. The month before I asked her and she decided to try them. With some perseverance she did manage it. though I ended up in the bathroom with her, at her request - back turned to give her privacy but guiding her through the process. When we went away she did manage to use them a couple of times. Luckily after that it was light enough (ending) to not need anything.

DD is 14y now and still not keen on using tampons. She will do if she needs to - such as swimming on holidays etc - but not through every day choice. She says they don't feel comfortable - she has tried a selection and insists they are in properly (they certainly don't leak or anything so assume s0.) I think it more than she knows it is there so can 'feel' it as a result, rather than it actually feeling physically uncomfortable A lot of her young teen friends are the same.

When I was a teen it seemed most girls used tampons. Now it seems far less. I know they do cover toxic shock in PHSE and I wonder if sometimes that has something to do with too.

I often use a moon cup but DD isn't interested in trying one at all.

[YelloDraw]

Has she used her finger to feel inside? I found that helped work out the right angle for a tampon. Also leg on toilet worked when I was trying them out.