using a tampon?,what age to start?

[polly28]

my dd has had two periods so far,she is 13.She unfortunately has one at the moment,and won't go swimming because of it.Her friend uses a tampon,dd is reluctant but doesn't want to miss out on swimming.When did your dd go from pads to tampons?

mum always said shouldnt use tampons as they would break my hymen.
ha!
id personally think though that third period is a bit early, and wouldnt it be better to wait until her periods were well established? and she was responsible enough to remember to change them often, and take last one out? course thats assuming she is as scatty as my kids, which she probly isnt.
sometimes periods can start, and then stop for a few months for no reason at all.

just don't do what my mum did and give her a super tampax instead of the teeniest one to start with. No wonder I couldn't get the hang of it!

thanks everyone for your replies.

I bought dd a box of mini tampons today and when she saw them she blushed and rolled her eyes.

I will chat to her tomorrow about it,I've asked her if it's a heavy period and she doesn't have a clue what I'm on about! Must be quite light then me thinks.
Its funny as a mum you just want toknow everything to support them ,but she hates talking about it

I didn't use tampons till I was about 16 and I can still remember trying to find the right place to insert them - oooooooohhhh it brings back such cringeworthy memories!!! Dd age 12 has some 'always' towels for when she starts periods but I'm kind of dodging the tampons issue for now - any advice on how to help her use them from the start will be gratefully received!!

Message withdrawn

erm Ifound that a littel spot of vaesleine or nivea or whatever on the end of a lillet made it less painful if you were starting out.

I started mine early
IN berlin!

Hi - my daughter is nearly 13, she has just started wearing tampons for seimming etc. The ones she likes are Tampax Compact - they are very discreet to keep in your bag and also easy to insert. I do nag her about not leaving them in too long!!!!!! Says she knows all about that - well at 13 she would - they know EVERYTHING don't they?!!!

mears, I get my dd "always" they come individually wrapped and she keeps them in her school bag, she did try bodyform but prefers always regular and long for at night.

Tipex - she doesn't wera pant liners every day. I was looking fro something smaller for her to wear when she does start her period. Unfortunately she is quite petite and all the sanitary toewls seem so huge. She has 'tried them on' as it were and finds it extremely uncomfortable. I realise part of the is the alieness of them but it just seems she does need something neater.

Sorry, haven't had time to read all the thread - but I was 12 after about 4 periods. I couldn't initially use the non applicator ones, found that the applicator types were much easier.

I've also not read the whole thread so sorry if repeating stuff.

I was 14 when started periods and used them from that age. I remember it really hurt at first (as was a virgin! ) and I'd settle for it only part way in IYSWIM - not at all comfy so as one of the other ladies said, make sure she puts it all the way in. It only hurts until the first time it's gone in properly, then it's ok.

Good luck!

I was 12 when I started my periods first year at secondary school, felt quite emmbarassed when I couldn't take part in all the sports like swimming and when I done other sports like volleyball and hockey I didn't feel comfortable or confident using towels, so I opted for lil- lets lights, didn't find any discomfort using them at all, think my hymen was probably broken by doing all the sports I took part in.

PMSL at Kidstrack2!

I started using Tampons on and off at about 14. I really like Tampax compact. They are really small and so are discrete and easy to use. Never had any problems with them.

This has been a real education ...thought i was open inded but had not really thought about all this for DD ( nearly 11) good to know I will have mumsnet to turn to! (some of the postings made me go a bit weepy actually!)

This might be TMI but doesn't anyone else find that wearing a tampon and going swimming doesn't work? I mean, the tampon gets waterlogged and when you get out of the water, you leak (and I don't mean water). This has happened to me (not too disastrously) and also to a friend of mine when she absolutely flooded (really embarrassing for her and me who had to pretend I hadn't seen!) So as far as I am concerned, swimming with a period really is a no-no. Am I missing something?

Oh Seem t have killed this thread. Would now like my last post deleted!

Thanks folks!

Lonelymum - fear not - thread not killed (that'll be me). I swim regularly and a period never stops me. I use tampons and have never experienced what you describe. Maybe change your brand. I use Tampax.

SOOOOOOOOOOOO glad someone responded. TBH, I know this happens to me because it happens if I have a bath with a tampon in - I wouldn't dare risk the public swimming pool! Does brand really matter? I use Lil-lets or supermarket own brand because when I started out with tampons, tampex meant applicator and I preferred to do it with my finger IYSWIM. Have never used tampex even though I know they now do non applicator types.

tampex???? Where did that come from???? Of course, I meant tampax.

I use the applicator version - perhaps they sit higher inside (TMI???) than the non-applicator version - I don't know, just a thought. Give the applicator one a try.