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Original poster

First 'Proper' Period -Advice Needed

22 replies

Lavendersquare · 17/08/2023 21:08

My DD11, started her periods in May, seemed to take in all in her stride we had talked about what to do, she knew where the pads were kept and I had bought her period pants in case she wanted to use those. All seemed to go well, no second period until early August but according to her it was brownish and ended after 2 days. Clearly she's still very young and her cycle hasn't settled into a pattern.

Well yesterday she got her period and couldn't get over the amount of blood compared to the first time in May, but she coped well. That is until today, she woke up to a stained bed because the pad leaked, we sorted out her bedding no problem and she showered etc.

Well today she's been getting through a regular pad in just over an 1.5 hours to the extent that it's leaked over her clothes and through to the sofa (thankfully leather). I went out and bought her the most absorbent pads I could find, Always Ultra supposedly lasting up to 12 hours, well they don't and she's not going more than 2 hours before she's leaking and having to change clothes.

She's got through 5 sets of clothes today and goodness knows how many pads, there's absolutely no way she could have coped with this at school. She's now vowed to not leave the house until it stops, which isn't an answer but to be honest I think I would feel the same. She's also told me that there are lots of clots and from what she says they sound about the size of 1p coin.

So, what should I do? This isn't normal for an 11 year old is it? If it's no better in the morning I'm tempted to take her to the GP but is there anything the Dr can actually do? I've only ever had 'normal' easily managed periods so this is alien territory to me.

OP posts:
Painful1 · 17/08/2023 21:18

Not sure if this is reassuring or not but I'm in my 20s and my periods are worse than your pre teen dd's. I soak a night time pad in less than an hour. A 1p sized clot is nothing to be worried about. Mine are at least 5 times bigger than that. Your dd needs to wear night time pads during the day and night and change her pad more frequently than every 2 hours. Hopefully hers improve with age!

Doggymummar · 17/08/2023 21:21

I was on the pill by 11 for heavy periods would suggest gp

Original poster
Lavendersquare · 17/08/2023 21:22

@Painful1 that sounds absolutely awful, how do you manage to go to work etc? Have your periods always been like that? Or have they got worse?

I've just been on the NHS website and did the questionnaire and DD easily meets the criteria to see a dr so I'm sure you should also see someone.

OP posts:
Original poster
Lavendersquare · 17/08/2023 21:24

@Doggymummar really? 11 seems to be very young to go on the pill, how bad were your periods?

OP posts:
Painful1 · 17/08/2023 21:30

Lavendersquare · 17/08/2023 21:22

@Painful1 that sounds absolutely awful, how do you manage to go to work etc? Have your periods always been like that? Or have they got worse?

I've just been on the NHS website and did the questionnaire and DD easily meets the criteria to see a dr so I'm sure you should also see someone.

They've been bad since I started when I was 11. If anything they've gotten worse. My wfh job is a god send (prior to that I didn't wfh and was on the pill which stopped my periods or reduced them but sometimes I'd still be in pain so had to call in sick/not attend lectures etc). I've seen several doctors and even a gynaecologist who disregarded all my concerns. Unfortunately it's not just the heavy bleeding. I am also in so much agony that I can't leave the house for the first couple of days. Honestly, I wouldn't worry too much about your dd yet unless the pain is more than cramps. I know what your dd is going through 🙁

tinkertots · 17/08/2023 21:33

Sorry to hear your dd is experiencing this, op. It's a tricky time especially when she will be going back to school. I was 11 when I started mine and I remember being in secondary school and they were really bad for the first few months - really heavy. I remember dreading standing up because I could feel huge clots 'dropping'. They did get a lot easier, but I used to literally go to the toilet between every lesson change. Maybe see the gp like some others have suggested? They may have some ideas

Original poster
Lavendersquare · 17/08/2023 21:36

tinkertots · 17/08/2023 21:33

Sorry to hear your dd is experiencing this, op. It's a tricky time especially when she will be going back to school. I was 11 when I started mine and I remember being in secondary school and they were really bad for the first few months - really heavy. I remember dreading standing up because I could feel huge clots 'dropping'. They did get a lot easier, but I used to literally go to the toilet between every lesson change. Maybe see the gp like some others have suggested? They may have some ideas

You've described it perfectly she also doesn't want to stand up and describes a similar feeling.

I feel so sorry for her, she's really trying hard to be brave but shes also got really bad cramps and says she feels dizzy standing up.

OP posts:
MonsterRehab23 · 17/08/2023 21:51

Hi OP, this sounds almost identical to what happened to me when I first started my periods. My first one was pretty light. Then a few months later I experienced very heavy bleeding, massive clots and painful cramps that went on for a few months.

I think I was prescribed tranexamic and mefanamic acid initially to treat pain and cut the bleeding down. I did see a gynaecologist and I was then put on the pill. I was almost 14 though which is a bit different to 11.

The pill sorted my periods out and I took it for around 6 years but I don’t think it really agreed with me and affected my mood quite a bit. After that my periods were heavy but manageable up until I had my 2nd child which was like having a mini labour each month . I’ve now got mirena coil.

I definitely think your DD needs to see a dr though. Hope she’s ok.

Doggymummar · 17/08/2023 21:53

Lavendersquare · 17/08/2023 21:24

@Doggymummar really? 11 seems to be very young to go on the pill, how bad were your periods?

I'm 53 now so can't remember, my mum was a pharmacist and we had a pill for everything

nocoolnamesleft · 17/08/2023 21:55

I'd be considering tranexamic acid before resorting to the pill, but I think it's only licenced for menorrhagia in over 12s, so doubt the GP would be happy to prescribe it yet.

SpongeBobSquarePantaloons · 17/08/2023 22:22

Oh your poor DD. But actually this was exactly what happened to me as an 11 year old when I started. It got slightly better in that eventually I wasn't bleeding through my clothes, but my periods were always horrendous. It made school really difficult, although I learned to manage it.

The only thing that ever managed to control them was the mini pill. But I realise it's not the best to put her on that when she’s so young. But there are options. The GP will likely fob you off to start with saying that it's too early and the periods will calm down - but if they don’t, keep taking her back and force them to listen. I wish I'd been more forceful.

SpongeBobSquarePantaloons · 17/08/2023 22:26

@Painful1 please keep fighting with the doctors. That's not normal and you deserve answers and help with getting your periods under control.

Original poster
Lavendersquare · 17/08/2023 22:40

Thank you for all the messages, it's clear that what's she's going through is definitely not normal. She's gone to bed tearful wearing period pants and a nighttime pad dreading leaking onto her bed again.

I wish I could sort this for her with a spoonful of calpol like the old days whenever she was poorly 😔

OP posts:
Radiat · 18/08/2023 09:45

Oh bless her, it’s hard enough dealing with very heavy periods as an adult who “gets it”. I’d absolutely seek a doctor’s help. It may be that she just needs a bit of time for her cycles to settle down, or she may need something like tranexamic acid. Either way, she shouldn’t have to just cope with flooding.

My DD also started hers recently, and it’s quite an emotional time for them even when their flow isn’t as heavy/disruptive as you describe. It’s no wonder she’s upset.

Willmafrockfit · 18/08/2023 09:48

oh poor thing, she will be tired with all this going on.
i would visit a GP as suggested,
hopefully she is 12 soon?

Painful1 · 18/08/2023 10:29

SpongeBobSquarePantaloons · 17/08/2023 22:26

@Painful1 please keep fighting with the doctors. That's not normal and you deserve answers and help with getting your periods under control.

Thank you. It is a huge struggle and doctors aren't concerned because it's 'normal' for me to flood several night pads a day and pass huge clots. OP, get your dd to try tranexamic acid tablets before the pill. She is way too young for that. They didn't work for me but they work for other women.

Original poster
Lavendersquare · 18/08/2023 15:32

I really appreciate all your comments and it's sad that so many women have to struggle with some Dr's not being helpful.

We had quite a night, she woke at 3am in a hell of a mess despite a mega heavy duty pad and period knickers totally distraught and overwhelmed by everything.

I rang the GP this morning and the receptionist was so lovely, I was quite teary, and made DD an appointment with a female GP. The GP was equally lovely and agreed DD was suffering excessive blood loss which she said no woman should have to suffer with. She prescribed Tranexamic Acid and Naproxen and said that if the next ones are just as bad will refer her to a gynaecologist for advice because given her age the pill isn't recommended and DD would need to be prescribed by a consultant.

The DR also said that girls are tending to start their periods earlier and prescribing rules regarding the pill being for over 12's may need to be changed.

Overall the Gp and surgery were fantastic and already the tranexampic acid seems to be helping a bit.

Fingers crossed this is a one off and the next one is at least manageable.

OP posts:
nocoolnamesleft · 18/08/2023 19:27

Well that's encouraging. Really glad the GP took you seriously.

Willmafrockfit · 18/08/2023 19:57

oh good luck

wizbit93 · 18/08/2023 22:05

Your poor Dd. I can't help medically wise but I have heavy periods. At night I use reusable pads which are really big. I've never leaked since I started using them. I got mine from Amazon. Might they be an option?
Before that I used to position two night time pads so they basically went from the waistband at the front to the one at the back and that helped.

travelogue · 19/08/2023 09:44

I'm glad you've got some help from Drs OP, really feel for your poor DD, I've had periods like this for the last ten years or so but when I was younger they were normal, too much for an 11 yr old, so unfair! . You could get her those period knickers to wear alongside 2 pads for a bit of extra protection next time (but hopefully the drugs work & its never this bad again!!) . I'm changing pads every hour for two days when I get a period these days, sometimes with a super tampon as well - it's a complete drag but I'm an adult! The only good thing is it's over quickly. Really hope this will sort it for her 🤞🤞

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