Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Teenagers

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

Original poster

DD (12), periods & pool holidays!

74 replies

FunkyPeacock · 01/05/2015 08:56

Not strictly teens as my DD is 12.5 years

She started her periods a week ago and working on the basis of a 28 day cycle her next period is due as we arrive in on holiday for some half term sun :-(

We have hired a villa with a pool and it is the first time we have been on that type of holiday for quite a few years so we are all really excited - especially about the pool (me & both DC love swimming)

I'm now really stressing that DD's holiday will be somewhat spoilt by her period

Any advice? (I would prefer not to suggest tampons due to her age and it will only be her 2nd period - I didn't start using tampons til I was 16/17)

OP posts:
MythicalKings · 01/05/2015 08:57

I used tampons at 11, the small ones. Let her try them.

TheTertiumSquid · 01/05/2015 09:00

You may find she's completely irregular at first. I went 6 weeks or more between periods at that age. Hopefully her period won't come exactly at 28 days.

Woozlebear · 01/05/2015 09:02

I used tampons at that age too. Try lillets?

scribblegirl · 01/05/2015 09:02

I loathed sanitary towels and had a go with the mini Tampax on my first period - never looked back. No worries if she's not comfortable but any myths about them not being suitable when you're young are just that Smile

SunnyBaudelaire · 01/05/2015 09:03

why wouldn't you want her to use tampons? If she doesn't, then yes her holiday will be ruined. I used them at 12 for this very reason. Just tell her to make sure she reads the leaflet thoroughly.

Seeline · 01/05/2015 09:03

I agree with the irregular cycle at first. I had 6 months between my 1st and 2nd periods.

SunnyBaudelaire · 01/05/2015 09:04

I mean, what other advice could there be?....

Kvetch15 · 01/05/2015 09:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

OldBeanbagz · 01/05/2015 09:05

If it's only her second period, i'd be amazed if it worked to a 28 day cycle. My DD is a year in and they've ranged from a 22 to a 42 day cycle.

My DD is not that keen on tampons but she'll use them if it mean missing out on swiming. She uses the small Tampax applicator ones.

Why not ask your DD? She might not mind trying them in the circumstances. At least she'll be relaxed and nor rushed in the villa bathroom.

FortyFacedFuckers · 01/05/2015 09:08

I was on holiday when I had my first ever period aged 10 my mum went straight to the shop & bought tampax & paracetamol and I had a wonderful holiday (and have used tampax ever since)

Hechan · 01/05/2015 09:08

What is the relevance of her age? Tampons are functionally appropriate for menstruating females, what's the problem?

HoppityVoosh · 01/05/2015 09:08

It's unlikely she'll have her 2nd ever period 28 days after her first. They're normally really irregular at first but as someone who has suffered with irregular periods all my life I remember being a teenager and worrying for the whole holiday I was going to start while wearing my swimming costume/shorts.

If she does come on again on holiday her only option really for going swimming is to use tampons. Nothing wrong with using tampons at that age.

bigTillyMint · 01/05/2015 09:18

I agree about irregular cycles.
And that girls can and do use tampons from the start.

I think you could suggest it (and be positive and supportiveWink) and have some mini ones to hand incase she does come on, but be prepared for her refusing to try and just not going in the pool if she doesn't feel ready.

My DD didn't want to try them till she was 14/15 and preferred to just not go in the pool the one time she came on on holiday.

Gymbob · 01/05/2015 10:55

I agree with the others. she will be irregular at first, she probably won't see a period for weeks.

re tampons, she's going to want them for school, they'll all know who is on a period if someone is wearing big knickers in the changing rooms. don't hold her back, at least let her choose.

one of mine used tampons on day one, the other took a year to get round to it Hmm

Original poster
FunkyPeacock · 01/05/2015 12:47

Looks like tampons it is then!

I will buy her some of the mini ones and see if she wants to try them when her next period comes. I'm not 'trying to hold her back' at all, I just don't want to put pressure on her try them if she doesn't feel happy about it. I perhaps have a distorted view though as I was never encourages to try tampons by my own DM who always bought me pads.

Thanks for the advice x

OP posts:
Original poster
FunkyPeacock · 01/05/2015 12:49

and will also keep my fingers crossed that her 2nd period doesn't appear til after we get home!

OP posts:
kslatts · 01/05/2015 12:59

I agree with others that she may not be regular at first. My dd was 12 and only just started her periods when we went on holiday with a pool, she was able to use the smallest tampons without any problems. She was nervous about using them at first so took a few attempts but once she relaxed it was fine. She would only use them for an hour or so at a time when she was actually in the pool.

Gymbob · 01/05/2015 13:07

I kind of felt the same, but with my mum it was like it was almost sexual because of where you put them Shock Shock

the one that took a year to get round to it had them in her drawer for all that time. I think she did try one after a few months but couldn't get it right so it put her off. the other one who used them from the start, unbeknown to me had been practising with mine for months previously. I thought they'd been going down Hmm

yummumto3girls · 04/05/2015 10:06

Go to the doctors, you can get pills to take so she doesn't have a period, my DD hasn't started yet but several friends have used them when their DD's were due on holiday, so only taken for that minth. Sorry can't be more specific but speak to GP. I would prefer that to tampons at that age!

Dancergirl · 04/05/2015 10:45

Definitely try tampons but don't assume SHE is happy to try them. My dd is nearly 14, has had periods for nearly 3 years and doesn't want to use tampons even though I've suggested a few times.

specialsubject · 04/05/2015 11:28

she can't swim if she has her period and isn't using internal protection. The pills being mentioned (Can't spell the name...) may or may not work.

she has to learn to cope with a normal minor body function so the sooner she starts the better.

TiredUponRising · 04/05/2015 11:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SunnyBaudelaire · 04/05/2015 11:41

maybe some people still think that using a tampon is not suitable for young girls in case it 'breaks their hymen'?

Littlefrenchmummy · 04/05/2015 12:07

I was very regular straight away when I started my period at 12. You should suggest tampons but just for your information I was one of the rare people who couldnt use them until I lost my virginity. Trying one the first time was agony!Confused

whois · 05/05/2015 00:14

Yeah apart from tampons there isn't much of an alternative if she wants to swim.

Personally I got on much better with the tampax ones with an applicator and plastic head so it was really easy to slide in, in the smallest size.

It was the same situation of being my 2nd or 3rd period and being away on holiday. Mum sat outside the bathroom and coached me on how to get one inserted (leg up on the toilet) which was a little embarrassing but did help!

Swipe left for the next trending thread