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?

Mears, Carefree (and most of the other brands) do ultra-long or large sized panty liners. They are pretty big but nothing compared to an Always towel, so may be suitable for your daughter to try at first?

I don't remember when I started using tampons but once started I could never go back. I think having to wear maternity towels post-natally was one of the worst things for me during the birth experience. i HATE them! But now i have switched to a moon-cup (good 'ole mumsnet!) its even better!

The soggy tampon problem when swimming can be easily solved with one of the menstrual cups now available, like the Mooncup, Femmecup, Lunette, Ladycup and no doubt others you will find via Google.
For young girls they can be rather large and so not easy to use, but the smaller Lunette seems to be suitable for many youger users.
Best of luck with it!
K

My mum said you couldn't wear one if you were a virgin and my nan told her not to be so ridiculous. A bit of biological knowledge which might explain why mum had kids in her 40's while nan got going just after puberty.

Anyway - how young is too young for...the MOON CUP? Tah-dah! I just got one and I'm pleasantly surprised. Wish I'd had one years ago.

I found lilets impossible to use when I started my periods (at nearly 16)but I eventually got the new out then mini tampax with applicator and they were much easier.I hate tampons though,that horrible pulling feeling when you take them out...(shudders)But I did use them at school for swimming.
You are thoughtful,my mother never even bought me a pack of towells,I'm still waiting to tell her that my periods have started

I was about 12 - I had a swimming competition the day after I started my period and i spent about an hour on the loo trying to work out how to "insert" it!

I hate putting things up me and have never got on with Tampons. However, I too would recommend Tampax Compak. They have a plastic rather than a cardboard applicator so are a lot more comfortable.

Make sure she only uses it when actually on her period! I remember when we had the talk from the nurse in P7 we got given a doggy bag with sample towels and tampax. I decided to give the tampax a trial run before I started my periods, put it in, and it really hurt pulling it out agin 5 mins later

i was definitely 13. when it started i was happy to go with pads but my mum was having none of it and said 'urh they are like nappies!!' so i gave the lillets a go and didn't use a pad until i had dd, 17 years later.

if it was myy (which is not!) i'd encourage her to give the tampons a go. once you get the hang of them they are so much more dignified and what with jegging etc being v popular with teens!

Lonelymum - ..I never bath when using a tampon either for the same reason. You Are Not Alone...

bloody hell!!!

I started this thread 5 years ago

was polly28 then

lol dd now 18 and def not worried about sticking tampons up her fanjo

KatieJ75 who resurrected this thread-are you on a mission for mooncups ??

haha can't believe this thread is that old.

me neither i just saw it in the active list!

My mum told me tampons would get lost inside me.....my god, no wonder I'm in therapy.
It was my next door neighbour who showed me how to use them. DD is 13 and hasn't started, but will be recommending them for her.

Hi again,
Well, not a mission exactly, but cups do have advantages, and it was ages before I decided to give this method a try. I am glad I did -- much more comfortable. I am using the Femmecup myself as mainly it was a bit cheaper than others!
It is worth a try especially as there is a money-back no-quibble guarantee with most types.
Everybody has to decide for themselves, but if you dont try it you dont know!
Best of luck whether you give it a go or not -- I did find it works out lots cheaper in the long run.
K

Well, to return to the original question.
I help to run a swimming group and all the girls use internal protection. We have had girls of 10 and 11 using tampons without any difficulty.
It is not the actual age that seems to be important, as long as a girl is aware of hygiene and changing them regularly, not leaving them in, etc. As long as that is made clear, then why not?
Any problems are few - although not putting it in far enough seems to be top of the list, followed by tensing muscles due probably to rushing things. A little KY jelly is sometimes a great help.
Some girls are going over to the menstrual cups (totally waterproof, especially for synchro swimmers). They are bigger and more difficult to use, but the Lunette seems to be the best one for younger users. it is more expensive, however, as it comes from Finland.
The best plan is to give girls a choice and provide products before periods start. This is so they can get used to the idea and have items on hand, and they will then use tampons as soon as they are ready.
I started using Tampax from my first period, when I was 12. I managed to convince my Mum as I was on the school swim team. Later I used Lillets regular (so spares would go in my pocket) and used them for years.
Hope that helps -- feel free to disagree!
K