To think DD(14) should not be wearing a tampon if she's asleep for 14 hours?

[MyballsareSandy2015]

She thinks I'm being a fuss pot but I'm worried about toxic shock, which you don't seem to hear much about these days. She certainly hadn't heard of it.

[VagueIdeas]

I really don't think a Mooncup is suitable for a 14 year old either, btw. No way.

Why not?

Well, I know there's no way I could have inserted something as large as a Mooncup into my vagina at age 14. It was a struggle when I first started using one at 24.

[purpleaura]

Of course nightsky, its completely up to each individual to decide which risks they are comfortable taking. Personally, if something is very low risk but has potentially extremely serious consequences, I'll probably rather not bother. That's my choice.

[Roomba]

My school friend had to have all of her toes amputated due to contracting TSS, on her 18th birthday of all days. She didn't wear tampons for over 6 hours either.

Saying that, I've probably done this very occasionally. I don't tend to use tampons overnight now anyway though, as the flow is too heavy. The risk is statistically very low. I would make sure that your DD is fully aware of the risks involved though, as I had very little idea at her age.

[itsmeohlord]

I have used tampons for 40 odd years and left them in overnight and never suffered any side effects.

I would NEVER use a Mooncup, nor advise my dd to.

[nightsky010]

A lot of people on this thread have had TSS from wearing tampons for shorter lengths of time. Makes me wonder if the people who get TSS are mostly the ones lacking the correct antibodies rather than being potentially anyone who just leaves it in for too long? All based on anecdotal stories though of course.

One never even seen a mooncup. How big are they? And itsmeohlord why would you never use one? Heath reasons or other?

[nightsky010]

^health

[Pipbin]

Night, the first time I got it I had left a super tampon in for about 6 hours, all day at school, as I didn't like changing it at school.
The second time it was only an hour.

[WhitePhantom]

Exactly what I was thinking night sky - it seems that some people are susceptible to it regardless of how long they leave a tampon in for, and others just aren't.

[VestalVirgin]

Here's a link, though that's another brand of menstruation cup: www.intimina.com/en/lily_cups

The mooncup (brand) is just round, like a goblet.

I don't use it, but have considered switching to it because it'd be cheaper in the long run, and also produce less waste.

[kali110]

Even if the risks are small why do people still risk it when it's something as little as changing a tampon??

Just because some people have never gotten tss from a mooncup doesn't mean it isn't possible.
I don't see what is wrong with a 14 yr old have a moon cup if they wish.
Nor is there any problem with them having a coil fitted
It does lighten periods/stop periods/stop hormonal headaches, it's not just used as contraception.

[toohardtothinkofaname]

Interesting theory but I had TSS at 15 & had started using tampons at 11 when my periods started. and have, on occassion, used them once or twice since for 'convenience'

[londonrach]

Just use night pads with wings over night. Really dont get mn and the mooncup. Only ever used a tampax once. Everyone likes different things. Thanks op for the tss reminder.

[bettyberry]

Nor is there any problem with them having a coil fitted hmm
It does lighten periods/stop periods/stop hormonal headaches, it's not just used as contraception

Unless you are sensitive to hormonal contraceptives. I cannot use the coil because I had horrendous side effects (hair growth, cramping, bleeding, headaches, irregular periods) same with the pill - I am a high stroke risk so cannot take any.

I don't think a 14yo who has limited experience of their own cycle and what is normal should be encouraged to use a coil yet.

[pretend]

I had a coil fitted in my 20s and had to have it out after 3 weeks as it was like being in constant labour. I don't think they're recommended if you haven't had kids.

Also, hahahaha to a towel overnight. I'd look like I'd been stabbed in the gut by midnight.

Why can't people see past the end of their own nose? Your experience is just that - your experience. It doesn't give you any kind of insight into what other people should do.

[bettyberry]

Also, hahahaha to a towel overnight. I'd look like I'd been stabbed in the gut by midnight I have taken to using those kids bed pads if I'm on and not home because you know.. the last thing you want is to recreate something from american horror story in friends guest room

[stopfuckingshoutingatme]

I think she will be OK to be honest, I have left them in for this time, ie put at bedtime thast not change till lunchtime the next day

but I am against the grain here!

[cleaty]

You can tell those who don't have heavy periods on this thread. Just use a pad with wings? I have to use the most absorbent tampax and a large night time pad, and still often leak before I wake up.

[londonrach]

Cleaty..i have very heavy periods! The first day is the worst but night pads with wings works ok for me. Ive only leaked twice in 20 plus years.

[BeyondThirty]

Me too london (although not now as i have a mirena)

I used to leak through in the day, periods resembled a bloodbath and as there is endo in my family (and its statistically linked to anothr condition i have too) i guess that is why. But at night time, it just stayed put. Used to stand up in the morning and run to the toilet - it was like floodgates being opened!!

[stopfuckingshoutingatme]

I have to use the most absorbent tampax and a large night time pad, and still often leak before I wake up

my best discovery ever for heavy nights is TWO super super mega lilets and a really heavy night-time pad for the first 2 nights - I even used a nappy to line my shorts too. GOOD TIMES

[TriJo]

I rarely sleep more than 7-8 hours at a time, so I don't think it's unreasonable to sleep with a tampon of the appropriate absorbency in for that length of time - and I'll most likely change if I wake up in the middle of the night. 14 hours is a bit too long though.

[whois]

Also, hahahaha to a towel overnight. I'd look like I'd been stabbed in the gut by midnight

Word.

I use tampons at night. Hate the feeling of pads as I life to front sleep so they just leak forward and it's mega gross.

Have sometimes left them in more than 14 hours but I generally just naturally wake up at my 'normal' waking hour and go tot eh toilet and change it and then go back to bed if having a lie in.

[hoopityhoopla]

vestal can you stop just making things up pls? "The problem with tampons seems to be that they absorb liquid, and that makes your vagina dry out, and that probably leads to tiny wounds that enable bacteria to get in there."

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

hoopity vestal is correct.

Tampons don't just absorb blood, they also absorb any vaginal discharge. Discharge is quite important in regulating the environment of your vagina.

According to the Tampax website tampax.com/en-us/tips-and-article/tampon-myths-busted Tampons may leave fibres inside your vagina, but that's OK because they will be flushed out.

They also lead to microtears and ulcerations in the vagina:

"Colposcopically visible alterations of the vaginal mucosa associated with the use of tampons have been identified. These include mucosal drying, epithelial layering, and microulcerations. The pathophysiology of these transient changes appears to involve fluid transfer with subsequent impairment of intercellular bridges and loss of cell coherence. Tampon products containing superabsorbents are significantly more likely to produce microulcerations than are conventional tampons when worn at times other than during active menstruation. Chronic production of these alterations could lead to clinically obvious lesions of the vagina, and should now be considered in the differential diagnosis of vaginal ulcers."
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7352071

[TaliZorah]

This thread has definitely opened my eyes