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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Tampons and 8 year olds?

132 replies

DontOpenDeadInside · 25/10/2016 14:03

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)

OP posts:
d270r0 · 25/10/2016 14:43

I'll be honest, I think 8 is too young for tampons. I do feel bad for her though, it is very young to start having periods. You may also find physically she may not be able to use a tampon yet if her hymen is still completely intact.

JoJoSM2 · 25/10/2016 14:44

Tampons aside, have you spoken to the doctor about the knock on effects of not getting the injections? Might that have a negative impact on her further growth and development?

SuperFlyHigh · 25/10/2016 14:44

can't you get her treatment to deal with her phobia of the needles or a numbing gel/anaesthetic?

it really seems with her hygiene etc that she is too young to deal with periods, tampons etc and that this should be put off for another 2-3 years at least.

TanteJeanne · 25/10/2016 14:44

That is a lot to contend with at such a young age. I think you have to spell out the implications of not having the injection- the effect it might have on her enjoyment of the holiday and any other effects on her health.( Does delaying the periods help at all with her low mood?) See what she thinks about trying the tampons. Or she may just accept the risk that she won't be able to swim on holiday. Don't think I would have managed any of this at 8. Investigate options to ease the trauma of the injection too. Wish you both well.

wiltingfast · 25/10/2016 14:45

I would persist with trying to stop them. It has implications for her growth (she won't grow much taller for example) not to mention the stress of starting so ahead of your peers and the sheer practicalities of trying to deal with periods so young.

I don't think tampons are a good idea at all for an 8yo. She has enough to deal with.

SuperFlyHigh · 25/10/2016 14:46

also are you running ahead of yourself thinking of summer presumably next year?

if the injections stop a period for eg 3 months then surely if she did need the injection she'd only need it eg April time.

jodiecw · 25/10/2016 14:47

Sorry if I missed someone saying this but have you thought of a mooncup. I only started using one cause became allergic to the bleach in sanitary products. They are great I used to get more pains with tampons but not with the cup.
Also you can use it when you suspect your period is going to start or at the end & when for swimming.
Only problem I've had is out sometimes shifts position at night then leaks.

Original poster
DontOpenDeadInside · 25/10/2016 14:48

Thats what I am trying to explain to her. If she does not want to continue with the injections then she is going to have to prove to me she can be better with her hygiene. Even washing hands after changing a pad needs done, and more frequent bathing (2 times a week with a struggle atm) I think I'd only let her wear one for swimming, if at all-thats what I was trying to gauge from other's experiences, whether other's would let her try them if she wanted too.

OP posts:
Pettywoman · 25/10/2016 14:49

My DS has Emla cream when he has to have blood tests. He's had them fortnightly since age 6 for a chronic illness. It anesthetizes it before the needle. Either that or ask for the cold spray before the jab. That may be easier than tampons. Your pharmacy can give you a tube of Emla.

SuperFlyHigh · 25/10/2016 14:51

as wiltingfast says I'd try to get her to continue with the injections spelling out the consequences if not.

Just read up on precocious puberty very interesting!

Original poster
DontOpenDeadInside · 25/10/2016 14:52

Yes I am getting a bit ahead of myself because I'm seeing the doctor next week so I'm trying to think of everything/anything I might need to know/ask. Our holiday is in May and I think she would say she isn't bothered about swimming now, but once we get there I imagine she'd be really upset.

OP posts:
Pettywoman · 25/10/2016 14:52

The cold spray is very good according to ds.

flaxensunshine · 25/10/2016 14:53

My DD started her period last year, this year was due whilst we would have been on 2 week holiday so because she used a whole box of the mini lilets tampons trying unsuccessfully (she was 12 at time) I took her to GP who prescribed a course of tablets to delay the period. Worked a treat. Worth a thought.

Original poster
DontOpenDeadInside · 25/10/2016 14:53

The nurse says emla cream does not work for these types of injections as it only numbs the skin, where as the injection goes right into the muscle (like a depo injection)

OP posts:
lastminute1 · 25/10/2016 14:56

My niece had the jabs at 8. There was no question about it as the doctor said it was for growth, bone development, etc and she had to have them. They managed to delay puberty almost two years I think.

VestalVirgin · 25/10/2016 14:56

What exactly do the injections stop?

If they stop puberty in general (with all the breast development, her not getting much taller, etc) then I think it is worth it to give her more of a childhood. The nurse should be able to use thinner needles - I noticed a large difference in the kind of needles they use to draw blood, and while I am not as squeamish about needles as some other people ... there is a difference.

If they just stop the periods, then perhaps the mooncup is a possible alternative.

toptoe · 25/10/2016 14:57

Stupid question but does the injection have to be in her bottom muscle? sounds painful - can they not inject her somewhere less muscly?

pinkunicornsarefluffy · 25/10/2016 14:59

My 8yo hasn't started yet but I have concerns that she may soon. I wouldn't give her tampons as I don't use them myself, but even so, I would be very concerned about her remembering to remove it/change it etc.

She sounds very similar to your DD, she won't wash her hands after the toilet, she has mood swings. I have approached CAMHS for help, but getting nowhere.

If I were you I would try and persuade her to continue with the injections. She is still a child, not a young woman, and I think if I were in the same situation I would want the periods stopped as my daughter is in no way mature enough to deal with it

user1471555829 · 25/10/2016 14:59

Hi first time poster but wanted to offer my advice. My daughter started her period at 8 however the dr was ok with that as she was very tall and in proportion he checked size of hands and feet. However she was due to be on her period whilst on a family holiday abroad and we went to the drs and got a course of tablets, think was two a day for a week and these delayed her period for the time we were on holiday. Let her enjoy her time in the pool with her sister and cousins.

Original poster
DontOpenDeadInside · 25/10/2016 15:00

The injection is Triptrorelin. It stops all puberty ie, breast development, periods, bone growth. She has little boobs which the nurse said would go down (as breast tissue recedes) but they don't seem to have.

OP posts:
birdgal4848 · 25/10/2016 15:01

The tablets that have been referred to are called norethisterone - they don't stop periods but delay them - and I think her periods would be established (ie have one or two) before this would work. You have to start taking the tablets 2 -3 days before you are due on and then every day while you don't want the period to come on - its three tablets per day that need to be taken at roughly the same times every day and then when you stop taking them you come on 2-3 days later. It is a bit of an annoyance but it's not painful and means that in the long run she could use these for holidays - even when she is a bit older as I do think 8 is very young for tampons!
I have used these tablets several times but I know there is some risk with bone health and it affecting bone density but I'm sure it would be ok if it was just once every so often and it meant that she could be a little girl on holiday.

lastminute1 · 25/10/2016 15:02

Don'tOpen my niece had developed some pubic hair and small breasts. Her period had not come yet. They still gave her the treatment to stop it from coming.

Original poster
DontOpenDeadInside · 25/10/2016 15:04

user1471555829 thanks for that, was she still 8 when prescribed them and how long ago was that please? That would be what I would rather do than force her to get an injection.

By the way, when is it ok (if ever) to force a child to have something done they don't want done? I felt so bad last week after pinning her down (me and a nurse pinned her while other nurse stuck it in) and not sure I could do that again.

OP posts:
wiltingfast · 25/10/2016 15:05

Fgs she's 8. I don't think it's fair to leave the decision to her in any real way. What height is she now? She really will not grow much more if she starts her periods. I got mine st 11 and I'm a good 2" shorter than most of my peers. Low height also has implications for weight.

Plus what about spots, boobs, hair, not to mention possibly sexual attention she is simply not ready for? This is not just about the hygiene and hassle of periods.

Even if you put it off a year that is only 3more injections and might make all the difference.

Tho if it were me, I'd be aiming to delay them for st least 2y subject to medical advice.

You need to talk up the benefits of delaying them and use some of the suggestions upthread for easing the process. And maybe a reward then for her for doing it.

user1471555829 · 25/10/2016 15:09

Hi she was 9 then, and like you I was worried but dr was lovely, like a previous poster stated now I remember it was three times a day, but you can give her those, so much easier than thinking of using tampons.