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Original poster

12 year old and period on holiday

156 replies

SquirrelRed · 18/01/2026 18:40

Hi, My 12 year old has just started her periods last week. We are due to go holiday in May but I am worried about her getting her period while we are away.
She would want to be in the pool all day every day and there wouldn't be much else for her to do.
I don't think there's any chance she will use tampons by then, and there's not an awful amount of time between now and then for us to track/predict when her period will be.
Any advice on how I can best manage this so she can still have an enjoyable holiday please?

OP posts:
Randomlygeneratedname · 20/04/2026 16:23

I started my first period on the beach at 11 years old in Salou. I started using tampons the same day. Just give her a pack and explain how to use them, she'll be fine. I would couple them with period swimwear.

Original poster
SquirrelRed · 21/04/2026 12:10

YellowTulip555 · 20/04/2026 16:19

Hi OP what did you decide to do in the end?
Im in the same situation, DD is 11, started her period in November and although she totally missed one, the rest have come ‘on time’ on a 30 day cycle.
Then her last one (April) came a week earlier than we expected! Not sure if I got the date wrong or if it actually was a week but hey ho.

She won’t entertain the idea of using a tampon and is a bit creeped out about something being inside her.
The first 2-3 days of her periods are heavy.So she’s not keen on period swimwear as she’s scared it’ll leak.
The doctor has prescribed Norethisterone to start taking a couple of days before her period is due.
I probably shouldn’t have read this thread as it’s made me a little nervous now! The doctor had no problem prescribing it though?

For anyone whose daughter has taken it recently - how was it? Did she suffer with her period once she stopped taking it?

Honestly? We changed the type of holiday so it's not just a pool/beach holiday and won't matter so much if she gets her period while we are away.
I know it seems extreme but it was definitely the right decision for us based on how she is handling (or not really handling) her periods and of course I haven't mentioned that this is why we have changed plans.

I really hope your daughter is ok with the norethisterone and you have a great holiday 😊

OP posts:
Abd80 · 21/04/2026 12:16

Period swimwear and period pants.
I personally use WUKA and Modi bodi. Excellent quality and last for years. The do a teen and tween range aswell.

YellowTulip555 · 21/04/2026 20:14

Abd80 · 21/04/2026 12:16

Period swimwear and period pants.
I personally use WUKA and Modi bodi. Excellent quality and last for years. The do a teen and tween range aswell.

Are they any good for the first heavy days though? She usually wears Wuka pants on the first 3 days but with a pad on top, the pad will last till break at school (11am) then she takes that off as it’ll be full, pants for the rest of the day then has to change those when she gets home about 3:15/3:20?

WhatcakeshalIbaketoday · 21/04/2026 20:23

Trallers · 18/01/2026 19:09

There's also tranexamic acid which you don't need in advance. It doesn't eliminate blood flow, but does reduce it a lot and could be combined with period swimwear without worrying about flooding or leaking in the pool.

I used to take that for super heavy fibroid bleeding, I’m not sure if a GP would prescribe for a young girl.

HotSoupBowl · 21/04/2026 20:48

I took Noristherone on holiday a few months ago and while it was great I did NOT sleep well. Thought I was going mad and when I stopped them I slept again.

DD ended up having her period on that holiday and she decided to try tampons for the first time. Being on holiday spurred her on, she wouldn’t have done that at home

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