DD refusing to wear sanitary products

[Cocopogo]

DD is 12, she’s on her third period and refuses to wear sanitary pads. She says they are uncomfortable. I help her put one on and ensure she has spares etc but then she goes to the bathroom and removes it. She’s possibly got sensory issues too. She has stained my car seat and the carpet due to this. Anyone else had this problem? How did you overcome it?

They all have different washing instructions. I made sure I got my daughter ones that you can chuck in a 40 degree wash with everything else. (Wuka, but I notice M&S does this sort too). Have a look online at the different options and reviews. There are loads of different ones nowadays.

I wouldn’t bother even mentioning a mooncup until she’s got to grips with something like an applicator tampon. I loved mooncups in my 20s but personally I don’t think I would have managed to get a cup in and take it out as a young teenager just starting my periods. Mooncups are great but not until you’re totally comfortable with your anatomy.

Cheeky wipes do really soft comfortable reusable pads. Also they do period pants. They do a nice little starter first period pack with chocolate as well.

Very colourful pads and you don’t know they are there. No rustling or sweaty feel.

Tampons. Tried them when I got my first period and never looked back.

Period pants are great. She could probably wear the same pair all day at school if her period is not too heavy. They need to be rinsed out after use or they will go smelly if just left for days before washing. So a bit of a faff but worth it. My dd loves them for night time.

I find some pads plasticky and uncomfortable, they make me aware that I'm wearing them. I think Boots own brand ones seem more cottony than some others and are easier to put up with. Maybe try different brands?

I have heavy flow modibodi ones, they last all day thankfully

[quote WhatsTheBFD]@IWasBornInAThunderstorm because her DD is 12! Christ[/quote]
That's not an explanation at all!! A 12 year old can put a pad on. Does the DD have special needs?

I’m quite sensitive to pads and so buy unbleached ones that are soft and more comfortable. I’d try a selection of pads before period pants. Ones without wings are nicer too IMO.

I wanted to check she had one on before she left the house

I would have seriously flipped if my mother tried to check that. It could be why she's so against them. Buy her the period pants and back off before she gets too traumatised.

I don't blame her - pads are horrendous and the idea of them makes me feel a bit nauseous, lol.

Give her a range of options - tampons, mooncup, period pants etc. but she needs to know that using nothing is not an option.

Lady Days cloth pads have gorgeous designs as do many other makers. Lots on Instagram it can become hard not to buy loads

I went straight to tampons on my first period from day 2 because pads felt so horrible to me. If period pants had been around then they probably would have been better.

Checking she has one on?

I think you may have made the whole thing a lot worse for her.

I agree that reusable pads are much more comfortable than disposable if she isnt interested in period pants. The ones with minky or bamboo tops are much nicer than cotton topped ones.

Why wouldn't you just ask if she had one on - instead of checking physically?

I've just bought some period pants from primark for £6 for over night. Ita hard adjustment when getting your period at that age. I remember leaking and being paranoid.

I like Wuka period pants better than Modibodi, they feel less bulky on.

They're fine to wear all day, I put a fresh one on for the night, they don't seem to smell as much as disposable pads. It's best to rinse them out at the end of the day. The Modibodi don't seem to tolerate waiting to be washed, the gussets on my went a bit funny. The Wuka pants don't seem bothered by waiting for a couple of days. But all of mine are black and there's almost always a dark wash every couple of days so they just get chucked in with that so there's no need to wait until the period has finished.

Try and introduce her to bamboo made fabric pads better for her and the environment.

How about reusable pads as they are much softer and more comfortable? But like other people have said period pants might be the solution

@Cocopogo

How long they last depends on flow, I can wear mine all day, but dd changed when she got in from school, she has asd and sensory issues. You rinse in cold water and wash with the next load.

Primark, supermarkets etc have them at various price points, I would try 1 of 2-3 brands before buying more. A bucket for used ones I found helpful (3 women in the house)

Dont the modibodi ones smell? I mean if you dont change them at least once in a day?

I went straight to tampons after a couple of days using pads. I have ASD and looking back I suspect it was the feel of pads that freaked me out.

If she has sensory issues she might actually prefer a bigger, more substantial pad. My DD is autistic and as a teen she felt more comfortable in the biggest ones we could get.

Buy her period pants, pads, tampons and hand them over. If she refuses to use them, she needs to clean up (including those blood stained clothes!! Or will you be buying new jeans every month?!).

It could be a weird rebellion because you insist on checking which is weird. Let her go out like that, put a towel on the car seat and she'll be ashamed soon enough. I got my period when I was 9 and I managed just fine. My mum handed me what I needed, showed me how to use it and that was it. It's basic hygiene. At the age of 12 she's more than old enough.