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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

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Original poster

Pill to delay periods for DDs?

61 replies

ladyinthelibrary · 21/06/2012 19:24

We are having our first holiday abroad in four years, but both my DDs - 13 & 15 - are likely to have/start their period whilst we are away.

What are your thoughts on giving them whatever pill it is that delays their period? Neither of them will contemplate using tampons.

OP posts:

3duracellbunnies · 21/06/2012 19:31

The gp may be willing to prescribe the contraceptive pill for the 15yr old, but no guarantee won't be breakthrough bleeding. Not sure on 13 yr old you really need to discuss with GP.

EssentialFattyAcid · 21/06/2012 19:34

Is it an issue for the dds if they have their period on holiday?

QOD · 21/06/2012 19:37

My dd has had Utovlan before

She is 13 now and was 12 then and adult sized. She will not consider or discuss tampons, she's a bit phobic of things like that. If she'd had her period the holiday would have been ruined.

Flibbertyjibbet · 21/06/2012 19:37

I wouldn't consider it.

I've had my period on holiday lots of times, I don't use tampons and I don't recall any holiday being ruined.

mammya · 21/06/2012 19:52

My dd's been prescribed norethisterone to delay her period so it doesn't happen during her residential school trip. She has to start taking it a few days before the expected first day of the next period. Go and see your GP, mine was very sympathetic.

mammya · 21/06/2012 19:52

Forgot to say: it's hormones but not a contraceptive, had to be taken 3 times a day.

Original poster

ladyinthelibrary · 21/06/2012 19:54

Flibberty - how did you manage to go in the pool? Am fully expecting that's what my two will want to do most of the week.

OP posts:

Original poster

ladyinthelibrary · 21/06/2012 19:56

Thanks - I thought that was the one from when I took it years ago. Will speak to gp.

OP posts:

MrsFionaCharming · 21/06/2012 22:20

Have they tried using the very small tampons and possibly a lubricant to help a little?

It's up to them, obviously, but I'm not sure it would be a good idea to resort to artificial hormones and all their side effects, when there's a safer and easier alternative.

AllDirections · 21/06/2012 22:25

My DD has used this twice, once for our holiday abroad and once for a residential school trip. She was 14 and 15 when she took it and it did the job.

I think your DDs are old enough to make an informed decision about whether they want to take it or not.

Original poster

ladyinthelibrary · 22/06/2012 07:18

Gribbet - 15yo is saying absolutely no way to tampons. She has specifically said she isnt comfortable with the idea of inserting a tampon, and I'm not sure how far to push her really. I havent even suggested them to dd3 (13) as she only started earlier this year. Maybe a new thread but I wonder how soon girls start using them after their periods start.

AllDirections - I dont think my 13yo IS old enough to make an informed decision tbh. She would say yes to taking it because it would delay her period but wouldnt understand the ins and outs to the degree that you or I do.

I would rather they used tampons than have to give them a dose of hormones but if thats our last resort...... At least I know others have done it, presumably with no side effects!

Hope that makes sense - meno-brain is taking over!

OP posts:

Bonsoir · 22/06/2012 07:25

I think you have to be a bit firmer about the tampons. "Neither of them will contemplate using tampons" is just not on.

Magneto · 22/06/2012 07:28

They can use tampons as soon as they start their period if they're comfortable with it.

IMO if these were my daughters then it would be a choice between using a tampon or not going swimming. I wouldn't put them on the pill just for a holiday.

gettingalifenow · 22/06/2012 07:58

My oldest DD didn't manage to use tampons until she was 17 or 18 - some people don't find it easy. Plus, they worry about leakage anyway.

My DD has also taken Northeisterone a couple of times when she's been sailing or surfing and it works just fine. No cramps Afterwards, reliable, the best solution for us.

AllDirections · 22/06/2012 10:51

It's not putting them on the pill. That was my thought when my daughter first mentioned it. This is a pill that is taken 3 days before the period is due and only taken till the holiday (or day that having a period doesn't matter) is over.

My daughter has tried to use tampons but really doesn't like them. I didn't when I was her age.

Dropdeadfred · 22/06/2012 10:55

My eldest dd will not use tampons. I would not consider it nice of me to for e her to use them. Her body, her choice.

Ephiny · 22/06/2012 11:01

I would consider it, if only because I remember so many holidays being ruined when I was a teenager as I always seemed to get my period when we were going away. Though admittedly I used to have severe pain and heavy bleeding, if they just have 'normal' periods it may not be so much of an issue.

Sounds like tampons would be the ideal solution, but I certainly couldn't manage them when I was that age, didn't really get comfortable with them until I was more like 18.

What are you concerned about with the pills - possible health risks? Side-effects?

Cheddars · 22/06/2012 11:05

I was a bit concerned about using Norethisterone because of cramps etc but I had no problems with it. I think it's worth a try for your DD's.

Btw, I only took 2 a day instead of the recommended 3 and it worked fine.

twolittlemonkeys · 22/06/2012 11:06

I was given pills to delay bleeding when I was 17 and going on an expedition to Brazil - didn't want period when I was in the middle of the rainforest. Unfortunately it really screwed me up and one day I took the tablet later than I should have and my period came, then came again 2 weeks later so instead of not getting it during that time, I got it twice

FreckledLeopard · 22/06/2012 11:54

Agghh. Drives me mad when teenage girls are phobic about tampons, vaginas, masturbation etc. DD (11) is saying she'll use pads when she starts her period. I used tampons from the first day of my first period, aged twelve and cannot bear sanitary towels.

Will girls definitely have periods over the holiday?

x1x1x · 22/06/2012 12:14

I used them a lot as a teenager for watersports competitions when I'm was a boat for the entire day, so tampons weren't an option. It was great not to have to worry about it. Worked fine but I tended to get worse period pains and a heavier period than usual when it finally came, but that was worth it IMO. On the other hand, I wish I'd known about mooncups at the time because that might have been a better solution.

It does seem better to use tampons if they can, I'd suggest them to your younger dd, get really tiny ones to start with.

Ephiny · 22/06/2012 12:18

I just literally couldn't get tampons in at that age, and trying was painful. We used to have the fear put into us about toxic shock as well, which didn't help.

Once I got the hang of them I never looked back though, wouldn't go back to using pads if you paid me.

AllDirections · 22/06/2012 14:40

I struggled to use tampons as a young teenager but had to when I went on a residential age 15. It wasn't fun changing a tampon at the top of a mountain :(

Maryz · 22/06/2012 18:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Annunziata · 22/06/2012 18:03

Planes are supposed to speed things up, aren't they? I would try and suggest tampons tbh. If not, I'd try to emphasise this is a one-off (but I'm a bit funny about things like that).

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