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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:
Gwenhwyfar · 25/10/2016 17:09

"Nothing wrong imo about holding a child firmly while they are given an injection"

Doesn't it depend whether the injection is medically necessary?

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 25/10/2016 17:13

Well yes, but I was answering the OP's question about holding a child down to inject.

dingdongdigeridoo · 25/10/2016 17:18

I've seen natural sea sponge tampons for sale online. If necessary, this might be an alternative as they look softer and less scary. However, she'll need good hygiene with anything reusable.

Poor girl. Can't be easy to make this kind of decision.

Gwenhwyfar · 25/10/2016 17:20

I've heard of women who are scared of smear tests being sedated. Of course the NHS will try to avoid this because of cost, but could something like that be done?

Sidge · 25/10/2016 17:33

Shemozzle one wouldn't normally give Depo-Provera for precocious puberty, you would give leuprorelin.

Anyone giving Depo-Provera to an 8 year old should be a paediatric endocrinologist - it's a contraceptive, not a hormonal analogue.

iwantmyoldusernameback · 25/10/2016 17:35

I get sedated for anything involving a needle but there is a specific reason why so it does happen. You could wave a bunch of £50 notes in front of my face and I still wouldn't sit there willingly and have needlework done.

Ice cubes do numb the pain a bit but you're more likely to hurt her putting the ice on her skin first though.

Does the hospital have play therapists available to help your daughter? The work they do is fab and make a real difference.

user1471555829 · 25/10/2016 17:38

My daughter took to her periods ok tbh, I was the one freaking out a bit as she was at her grandparents when she started and we had a call from mil who said they now come with 'wings'!! Maybe talk to nurse about the tablets for her holdiday then instead of trying to suppress them go with the flow and let them happen. Do you think she's mature enough to have them? At school they will be able to help her out, for example one of my big concerns in yr four was were there any sanitary bins and how would she go about leaving lessons etc.

SuperFlyHigh · 25/10/2016 18:28

user but the whole point of precocious puberty (and many causes) is it isn't good for the child hence medical profession try to stop the periods.

An 8 even nearly 9 year old would be teased at school a best friend started hers at 9 and no teasing but I knew about it.

Teachers or lunchtime assistants would help. It doesn't seem OP's DD is mature enough to cope hygiene being one reason.

user1471555829 · 25/10/2016 18:34

Hi superfly I don't know about precocious puberty and how it works tbh so I take your word for it. My 8 yr old was OK at school however didn't tell any of her friends until at least age 11.

Frazzled2207 · 25/10/2016 18:35

Gosh a tricky one. I think you need to revisit the injections. I struggled with tampons for years. Think she is too young.

Libitina · 25/10/2016 18:42

Would 'gas and air' be suitable for her to take when having the jab? It won't necessarily take away the pain, but she'll be so giggly that she won't care.

RazWaz · 25/10/2016 18:48

I had to be held down and given injections at a similar age to your daughter though it was for a different reason. They were also quite painful and I had to have 9 in a row - naturally I got quite scared of needles very damn fast and fell apart every time I had to have one since - which was quite often as I've never been a healthy person.

My doctor prescribed me diazepam in low doses to help keep me calm and stop me from having a meltdown and needing to be held down again. I think some sort of sedative and a numbing spray should and a promise of a treat (maybe even an sneeky afternoon off school of you time the appointment right) should be enough to keep your daughter happy enough to take the injections.

Her long term health is worth more than any short term discomfort no matter how heartbreaking it is to watch. Are you going to refuse her vaccinations because she is scared of those? Of course not, you need to be strong and help guide her through this for the next year or so. Good luck.

franincisco · 26/10/2016 16:03

I'm just getting back to this thread, sorry if I have missed something but is there any reason why the doctor felt it would be better to stop periods? My paediatrician labelled it PP but my dd was then referred to an adolescent gynae clinic and the consultant said 8 is within the normal range now and only in exceptional circumstances would they administer hormonal therapy. As my dd has ASD I assumed she would fall under exceptional circumstances, but apparently not.

ManagersDilemma · 26/10/2016 16:28

Putting Vaseline on the tampon helps hugely. It's the only way I could use them in my teens. I used to 'prepare' them before school and wrap them in clingfilm!

Original poster
DontOpenDeadInside · 26/10/2016 17:39

Fran, maybe it varies around the country? I took her to go to ask about breast development and he said not to worry unless she gets a period (she was only 7.25 then), then later on that day he phoned me and said he's been thinking about it and wants to refer. Went to see paediatrician and he seemed to think it was for the best. Obviously I just went with what the doctor said as I have no medical experience. But on researching on the internet, it does seem to be the best option.

OP posts:
Gwenhwyfar · 26/10/2016 18:05

"Would 'gas and air' be suitable for her to take when having the jab? It won't necessarily take away the pain, but she'll be so giggly that she won't care."

Is gas and air available for things like that? Wouldn't you need an anaesthetist?

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 26/10/2016 18:18

Gas and air can be given by paramedics and medical bods but I doubt very much they'd give it for an injection.

toastytoastbear · 26/10/2016 18:44

If she has a accident at school then her life won't be worth living

I hope you don't have daughters to terrify with that attitude fishe

Mishaps · 26/10/2016 18:51

What a bloody design fault menstruation is - it is so sad that children as young as 8 are having to deal with this. Do they make tampons this small?

FurryLittleTwerp · 26/10/2016 18:58

Would incontinence swim wear be an option?

HarryPottersMagicWand · 26/10/2016 19:03

I'd persevere with the injections. I wouldn't want to put such a young child through puberty. I'd take the view that as a parent, I know better than a child.

Not the same but neither DC has had chicken pox yet, despite being exposed several times. DS is nearly 9 and most children we know have had it. I have said if they get to their teens and still haven't had it, I'll be paying for the jab. DS hates needles and is now praying (not literally) to get CP, I'm not as he is not a good patient at all! But if it's a choice between a jab and potentially getting CP as an adult, which can be serious and lead to infertility for him, I'll be taking him for the hated jab as it will be in his best interest.

I wouldn't give an 8 year old a tampon. I struggled to use them as a teen and its only really after having children that I feel more comfortable.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 26/10/2016 22:10

Diary Doll pants are what you need rather than incontinence swim wear.

Wallywobbles · 26/10/2016 22:24

When I used to have major vaccinations done the nurse would smack my buttock and then stab the injection. The shock of the slap stopped the injection hurting.

Poppyred85 · 26/10/2016 22:36

Sorry haven't rtft but didn't want to read and run. I'm a GP. Definitely have a chat about this with your dd's specialist. She won't be the first child to have been distressed by the injections and they may have suggestions of what could help. I'm sure the nurse was trying to be helpful but there are likely to be other things to be considered beyond whether she has a period or not. In terms of tampons I don't think there are any definite rules regarding age but you commenting about her hygiene, not hand washing etc would make me concerned about tampon use. I've only seen TSS twice but on both occasions the patients were very unwell and required several weeks in hospital.

Girliefriendlikesflowers · 26/10/2016 22:48

Hi op sorry have skim read the thread but wanted to say that my dd who is now 10yo is extremely needle phobic and it would be a case of pinning her down as you described. Her own GP wanted to do a blood test and even with two of us holding her down it was impossible as she screamed and fought us so much. Sorry not anything useful to add other than your dd is certainly not the only one.