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AIBU?

Or is this PE teacher unreasonable about periods

706 replies

BigSandyBalls2015 · 26/01/2017 21:32

DD(15) is doing GCSE PE. Part of this involves 'personal survival' which takes place in local swimming pool.

The school obv need to book this, can't just turn up, but DD queried what would happen if some of the girls had their period at the time. PE teacher (female) replied that they'd obviously have to use a tampon, they can't miss it, can't arrange another day. A few girls told her they didn't use/get on with tampons and she got annoyed saying they'd have to get on with it on the day as no other option.

OP posts:

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backwardpossom · 26/01/2017 22:50

*off

Whisky2014 · 26/01/2017 22:50

Its almost like the OPs daughter wants to have her period just to not do the exam.i remember swimming at shool and loads of girls faked notes saying they had their periods just to not do it.

itsbetterthanabox · 26/01/2017 22:52

Chickoletta
I have vulvodynia. I can't have PIV sex either.

edwinbear · 26/01/2017 22:52

I swim pretty seriously, currently training for a Channel relay swim. I've never been able to use tampons, the very thought makes me feel squeamish after repeated trying as a competitive swimmer in my teens ended up with me suffering from vaginismus.

I miss training sessions when I have my period but for my swim (which can't be moved as there is a safety boat booked) I shall just take Norethisterone which will delay it - I was prescribed it in my teens when I had big races coming up. Could that be an option for your DD OP?

backwardpossom · 26/01/2017 22:54

I teach a subject where pupils often have to do talks or role plays in front of the class. If a pupil says out loud in front of everyone that they're shy and that they don't want to do it or whatever, I generally say "well I'm afraid that you'll just have to do it" to stop others jumping on the bandwagon. I usually go and speak to them at the end of the lesson and if it is genuinely an issue, I arrange for them to do it at a break or lunch time when there are no others watching. Very few actually take me up on the offer. I expect this PE teacher is doing much the same thing.

MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 26/01/2017 22:55

I could use tampons fine when I was a teenager. They still swelled up with water and leaked water and blood so that's not much help is it?

Surely the most sensible option is to book two sessions 10 days apart and let the girls choose one if it's something that doesn't absolutely involve them all being assessed at the same time? Obviously there might be some girls who would still have an issue but sensitively dealt with on a case by case basis seems the best option.

All this "I coped/know twenty girls who cope" stuff is irrelevant because those girls who don't cope don't swim because of it so you don't have a representative sample.

A bit of common sense is what is needed. Not tampons (that probably won't even work) or hormonal contraception or anything like that.

Italiangreyhound · 26/01/2017 22:57

backwardpossom

"Do you think this might have been blown out of proportion a tad?"

Not if it still contains the line it does in your scenario...

Teacher (used to hearing every excuse from reluctant teenagers to get out of PE): "Well you'll just have to wear a tampon"

Here's a thought, "used to hearing every excuse from reluctant teenagers to get out of PE" ... why not make PE more bloody fun so kids actually want to do it!

Italiangreyhound · 26/01/2017 22:58

Whisky2014 "Its almost like the OPs daughter wants to have her period just to not do the exam.i remember swimming at shool and loads of girls faked notes saying they had their periods just to not do it."

How do you know they faked their periods? Did they all tell you?

EggnoggAndMulledWine · 26/01/2017 22:59

No I don't think she is unreasonable. What would they do if their summer holiday is the week of their period? Stay out the pool the whole time or get on with it and use a tampon or cup.

backwardpossom · 26/01/2017 23:00

Here's a thought, "used to hearing every excuse from reluctant teenagers to get out of PE" ... why not make PE more bloody fun so kids actually want to do it!

It doesn't matter how 'fun' the subject is - there will still be reluctant teenagers. Not everyone likes sport. I'd have thought that was obvious. Teachers are not there to entertain...

badhotfanny · 26/01/2017 23:01

Chickoletta I had vaginismus as a teenager, only lost my virginity at 26.

On a county music tour to Florida, was also on my period. Homestead with swimming pools. I tried so hard to use tampons, it hurt so much and I bled everywhere. Humiliating.

I just can't believe all these people who are saying on this thread that periods shouldn't stop you doing anything. In theory, fine - but in practise it just doesn't work like that. What do you want me to do, suffer in discomfort or even pain? I font think do. And for my teenage self you would've added humiliation and anxiety into the mix.

Cagliostro · 26/01/2017 23:01

I couldn't use tampons due to epic pain when I tried inserting them. That only changed when I had lost my virginity, so I wouldn't have been able to use them at 15

Changednamesorry · 26/01/2017 23:03

2 sessions 10 days apart. That way all girls have an opportunity to go when not on period. Simple.

sunflowers14 · 26/01/2017 23:03

I just don't use anything when I've got my period. Cold water stops the blood flow I suppose.

MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 26/01/2017 23:05

Erm, we're talking about girls who have chosen to do PE GCSE. Not a bunch of Year 9s who still have to do it and get no choice.

The reluctant teenagers comments seem a bit unlikely considering.

Lorelei76 · 26/01/2017 23:06

The op DD is going it as gcse ffs she's not trying to get out of it.

Of course the teacher is outrageous to say this. One session my backside.

As for keeping out of the water for a summer holiday - yes some of us have to. I've leaked through tampons. What is it with these people who have no understanding of heavy periods? You don't get them therefore no one else might leak through a tampon in a pool? I wouldn't normally wish heavy periods on anyone but this thread is making me see differentky.

ALso you might not want to use tampons. I can see how Dump got in - stick it up your fanjo and do as you're told wimmin.

Masketti · 26/01/2017 23:06

I was a virgin at that age and despite trying physically incapable of using a tampon. It was mortifying asking my mum for a note and giving it to the teacher and sitting out and coming back to school with dry hair. I tried so hard to use one to avoid that. Teacher is being totally unreasonable.

vvviola · 26/01/2017 23:07

What would they do if their summer holiday is the week of their period? Stay out the pool the whole time or get on with it and use a tampon or cup.

I stayed out of the pool. I had horrible, clotting, make me vomit for 3 days periods from about the age of 15. I couldn't use tampons (still can't really, although now that I've had 2 children I can just about tolerate one if I need to take the children swimming).

I vividly remember one holiday where the last 4 days were spent mostly curled up in the apartment.... and I love swimming.

Lunar1 · 26/01/2017 23:07

All the teacher needs to do is split the session two weeks apart and let the girls pick which they want to do first then fill up the remaining places with the boys. There aren't many girls that age who wouldn't be able to do either session.

In an ideal world periods shouldn't interfere, but very often they do, especially for girls whose cycles haven't settled yet. It can take a while (years) to be adept enough with tampons, combined with knowing your flow at that time of the month and allowing for the pool water to be confidant you'll be ok getting out the pool!

Akire · 26/01/2017 23:07

Plus we not talking about a 20min swimming lesson it's an all day thing. So plenty of time to worry about leaking. How to make girl feel good about her body, if you are poor sod that's leaks to much you to can fail your exam.

clarehhh · 26/01/2017 23:08

Agree with PE teacher we aren't in the 1800's

bloodyteenagers · 26/01/2017 23:11

The difference though with general pe and gcse pe. The gcse lot signed up for it. They signed up because they enjoy sport so the ones pulling "sickies" will be lower.

Schools should have back up plans in place regardless of the gcse or exam. Which they do, unless you are a girl on a very natural period.

And as for the holiday scenario. Actually I do stay out of the pool for some days. And I am a tampax user. Same with the girls, before they started using tampax they stayed out which was their choice. Suspect same with other females.

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backwardpossom · 26/01/2017 23:12

we're talking about girls who have chosen to do PE GCSE. Not a bunch of Year 9s who still have to do it and get no choice.

The reluctant teenagers comments seem a bit unlikely considering.

The op DD is going it as gcse ffs she's not trying to get out of it.

Honestly, you'd be surprised. Many of the kids I teach (I'm not a PE teacher) love sport, but hate swimming. I was a perfect example of that, too. I did PE to that level and had to go swimming, but hated it. I did PE because I enjoyed playing football and hockey. I had to put up with the swimming in order to do the qualification.

I can understand why the teacher said it, as in the scenario I posted above, but I do agree that if it was said in all seriousness, then he/she was out of order.

P00pchute · 26/01/2017 23:14

I think it should be up to the person involved if they want to shove something into their vagina or not. I couldn't wear tampons, they would only go part way in, and painfully work their way out. I would be inclined to tell the PE teacher to piss right off.

RufusTheSpartacusReindeer · 26/01/2017 23:14

Pe teacher is being unreasonable

Dd doesnt get on with tampons

She is doing gcse pe but i dont think she does swimming in that

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