Periods

[user1498582366]

Hi all.. just want to ask a question.. my 11 year old has recently started her periods and is very heavy. My first question is, is this normal? I remember being very light at that age and progressively got heavier. My second question is, she has asked about tampons because she finds pads uncomfortable and she does a lot of gymnastics and is worried people can see a bulge, which I have reassured her that it's normal to feel like that at first, until you get used to them. I gave her smaller pads but due to the heaviness, they weren't sufficient enough. My friend has said that she would advise against tampons due to toxic shock syndrome but I have read up on it and it's very rare and you can get toxic shock from pads too, especially if they are left too long. The internet has lots of sites that recommend tweens are fine to use tampons. Just don't know whether to or not and she's my first child so I haven't experienced this before.

[RenaissanceBunny]

I had fairly heavy periods from around that age. I don't see a problem with tampons if you sit and discuss the right way to use them with her and you think she is mature enough to understand the importance of it. I wore tampons from that age for swimming and wore pads the rest of the time. Perhaps she can do the same for gymnastics. Just wear a tampon for the class then have pads before and after.

[user1498582366]

Thank you. That's reassuring and a good idea to switch between the two.

[Justhadmyhaircut]

Proper teen tampons are available!!

[user1498582366]

Where from? Which brand?

[imokit]

Tampons in the day are fine, but stress that she can't wear them at night and must change them at least every 6 hours.
Toxic shock is rare, but if it happens it will be because she left in to long. Pads at night are non negotiable.

[okilydokily]

Gosh, didn't realise that. I've used tampons since the age of 12 (ex swimmer) and used them overnight, sometimes for 12 hours at a time. 😳