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Original poster

DD12 period on beach holiday - help!

148 replies

EarlyBirdCatchesTheWorm · 04/06/2023 21:55

Hello mumsnetters

Looking for tips. DD11 started her period recently and is likely to have it on a beach holiday in a couple of months time.

She is ok with period pants and sanitary towels but not wanting to use tampons.

She loves to swim/paddle. Not the point but this holiday had to be cancelled and rescheduled twice, it's to a lovely place and she'll be gutted to not be able to get stuck in and play in the water with siblings. Any tips for managing period (without tampons) on a beach/sea? Is period swimwear good enough??

OP posts:
WhereTheSuburbsMeetUttoxeter · 04/06/2023 22:35

Martinisarebetterdirty · 04/06/2023 22:29

No the doctor is prescribing something. PP isn’t randomly picking something up off a shelf and giving it to her daughter, she’s taken her to a professional for advice.

Show quote history

Thank you.

As above we have a long history. He looks after me and DD. It's rare to have such a long relationship and a wonderful GP.

I guess I should written our entire history down 🙄

MrsMiddleMother · 04/06/2023 22:35

I'm a grown woman and hate using tampons, couldn't imagine anything more horrific at 11 in all honesty!
Definitely give period swimwear a go! Buy a swimsuit now so you can test it out before if needs be in the paddling pool/bath at home or like pp suggested speak to your Dr about getting the pills that delay periods, I've never used it myself but my sister has a few times for holidays and said it was a god send.

willow7612 · 04/06/2023 22:36

My DD tried period swimwear on holiday and it did leak once it was wet on a heavier day and was not a cheap make either. I would personally go with the pill to delay her period just so she can relax and not have to worry about it at all.

highlandspooce · 04/06/2023 22:36

The doctors will probably prescribe provera, not norethosterine, so please don't buy it online

Soundofshuna · 04/06/2023 22:36

Period swimwear works well but not for a whole day. Can manage an hour or 2 in the pool but not a whole day sailing course. If you have a few pairs could change over the day

Silvergoldandglitter · 04/06/2023 22:40

WhereTheSuburbsMeetUttoxeter · 04/06/2023 22:35

Thank you.

As above we have a long history. He looks after me and DD. It's rare to have such a long relationship and a wonderful GP.

I guess I should written our entire history down 🙄

Show quote history

I've had this tablet before and it gives me horrendous PMT symptoms the whole time and messes up my periods for a few months after.

WhereTheSuburbsMeetUttoxeter · 04/06/2023 22:40

We definitely had Northisterone, but it DD was a month off being 14.

Passthecake30 · 04/06/2023 22:40

Dd wore the modibodi swimming pants last year. We deliberately booked things that reduced pool time for a few days (trips etc) but they were fine for a few hours in the pool when we got back.

WhereTheSuburbsMeetUttoxeter · 04/06/2023 22:43

Silvergoldandglitter · 04/06/2023 22:40

I've had this tablet before and it gives me horrendous PMT symptoms the whole time and messes up my periods for a few months after.

Show quote history

It's always difficult. Daughter didn't have any symptoms.

I swear by the Mirena but others don't. No periods is a blessing, but I think I still get some mild PMT! Nowhere near as bad as it was though.

samqueens · 04/06/2023 22:44

Period swimwear is good if she’s on light days. My daughter has used them without any problems, but usually when she can change easily immediately after swimming.

When you’re actually fully in the water the pressure of the water reduces the rate of your flow a bit anyway, so you’re unlikely to bleed in the water at the same rate. It’s more likely she could experience difficulties when she gets out - will she be with you and the rest of your family? If so I would just try and get a couple of period swim options and make sure you have a change on the beach with you and a spare pair of black period pants in case she’s bleeding too heavily to want to swim but wants to paddle around in the water a bit - wear as a tankini type option. Also maybe buy a lightweight towel to take with you in black or navy, so if there’s any issues she can wrap it around herself without worrying about visibility.

I hope she can enjoy the holiday despite her period - poor mite, it’s a rude awakening!

WhereTheSuburbsMeetUttoxeter · 04/06/2023 22:46

What's also difficult is that every person's flow is different.

DD, as was I is very heavy - she had to have 2 night time pads in the day at school front to back.

I tried tampons with her, they were a definite no when she was 12/13 but she's got used to them now and that is wonderful for her as she doesn't have to worry so much about leaking.

Everyone is different.

samqueens · 04/06/2023 22:48

Also just worth saying that if she’s only recently started her periods her cycle might still be completely up the walls in the summer - it can take ages to settle. So whatever you do go prepared, but maybe don’t overly worry - it could turn out to be a non issue. My DD started around the same age and it took over a year for her to have any regularity to her cycles.

Original poster
EarlyBirdCatchesTheWorm · 04/06/2023 22:55

Thanks so much everyone!

Greta ideas on here.

I'll have a think about the pill idea, I know I had one I think the one beginning with N and it didn't actually work for me gaaa! But as PPs say, it may be different for an 11/12 year old.

Black period pants and a dark beach towel - good plan. I will also look into the swimwear. Thank you all x

OP posts:
JumbleAndKitchen · 04/06/2023 22:56

If your dd has just started her period, it’s unlikely that she will be straight into a regular monthly cycle. My dd had her first period at 11 (the day before first day of secondary school), but then didn’t have another for three months.

So I wouldn’t assume she will have her period when away.

Id just be really low key and keep lots of Orion’s available - some period swimwear, some light tampons, dark towels, sarongs/beach cover ups. Big hat and fancy sunglasses if she’d rather read at the beach. And maybe nice plans for if she just doesn’t fancy a beach day should she feel uncomfortable with any options.

JumbleAndKitchen · 04/06/2023 22:57

Options not Orion’s!

NatureNurture85 · 04/06/2023 22:58

I turned into a witch on the period delaying stuff!

JenWillsiam · 04/06/2023 22:59

WhereTheSuburbsMeetUttoxeter · 04/06/2023 22:15

See the doctor. He can give her something to delay her period. A daily tablet. She'll come on as soon as she's home and stopped taking it.

I got it for my 13 year old. It's not hormonal...

I'll look in to it for you as it was a godsend for her (and me!)

Love to your daughter. It's not fair is it?

It is hormonal, synthetic but still hormone.

Oopsididitagaintomorrow · 04/06/2023 23:00

My daughter was 11 on her school trip (3 nights), and would have been due to have her 4th period. Lots of swimming and water based activities. Spoke to Dr who gave her Norethisterone to delay her period. She was absolutely fine with it, had to take it 3 times a day. Soon as she stopped taking it her period started, again no issues x

WhereTheSuburbsMeetUttoxeter · 04/06/2023 23:03

JenWillsiam · 04/06/2023 22:59

It is hormonal, synthetic but still hormone.

Show quote history

Yes, I understand that now and have already addressed it. Then got abuse anyway.

It's not like I fed her a burger during the BSE crisis.

OP has all the info she needs now, so I'm stepping back and hoping her daughter has a wonderful holiday.

I need a holiday!

Hoppingmad231 · 04/06/2023 23:05

WeAreTheHeroes · 04/06/2023 22:22

Why the resistance to tampons? They are perfect for this. A lot less faff than period pants and swimwear.

Quite possibly because she's 11 not long started getting her periods and doesn't like the thought off them! And personally I wouldn't want my dd using them she'd probably forget to take it out I still have to nagg her about getting waahed/showered.

continentallentil · 04/06/2023 23:06

WeAreTheHeroes · 04/06/2023 22:22

Why the resistance to tampons? They are perfect for this. A lot less faff than period pants and swimwear.

Lots of teens take a while to get to grips with them.

Petal7 · 04/06/2023 23:06

My DD use Modibodi period costumes. They also have a pair of Modibodi bikini bottoms and just wear both on heavier days.

MrsLiam · 04/06/2023 23:08

Beaujolaisqueen · 04/06/2023 22:34

You can get the tablet to delay the period, it is hormonal but it’s not a contraceptive. I’ve taken it before. One thing to bear in mind is you can still get period like symptoms if not the bleeding like mood swings and headaches. I think you can buy online as well although not sure if DC is younger.

This has never worked for me. It might delay it by a two or three days but then I come on again and spot continuously all the way through to my next one 😩

mastertomsmum · 04/06/2023 23:08

highlandspooce · 04/06/2023 22:21

It probably won't be norethisterine for her age, but there is an alternative.

For many, tampons are an unpleasant concept and I’m not surprised when someone says they don’t fancy using them

Kta7 · 04/06/2023 23:11

DD has just taken Norethisterone this half term to avoid her period complicating a sporting event she was competing in. She’s just turned 14 but the GP’s main concern was whether she’d had her period for at least a year/was regular. She tolerated it loads better than I did, no side-effects at all whereas I was vv moody.