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Teenagers

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

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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:

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 07/05/2015 14:24

Fan- not developed enough yet, not au fait with that part of their body yet, the old myth that virginity can be lost using tampons.

Aussiemum78 · 07/05/2015 14:25

My dd is 12 and does not feel ready to try tampons. She started with pads a few months ago, I've offered tampons when she feels ready and said it might take a little practice to get used to placing them but she says she's happy with pads for now.

It's not always "holding them back" it's about them feeling confident about their bodies too. For some girls, placing a tampon is a daunting idea.

Aussiemum78 · 07/05/2015 14:27

My daughter is also freaked out about bra fittings! We are managing with crop tops but she will need a proper bra soon.

Just the idea of getting fitted puts her into "so embarrassed I could die" mode.

madwomanbackintheattic · 07/05/2015 14:34

Dd1 is a dancer, so when she started menstruating (at 12) I was curious how she would cope. She wasn't too thrilled with the tampons idea at first, but essentially I just bought a whole load of different types (as well as different pads) and just said she should try a few things and see what worked for her. (Her classes are mandatory four days a week, and in baby pink tights and a lilac leotard, (or any number of stage costumes) there's nowhere to hide doing the splits...)

Anyhoo, that was three years ago now, and she uses a variety of things for different activities. In a way, I'm pleased it was a necessity for her to try out different things, as it reduced the squeamishness around having periods. There is of course an element of having to gain a certain amount of confidence in your body, but as long as everything is matter of fact and left as a choice, then it doesn't get the chance to build up into a big thing.

Enjoy your holiday!

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 07/05/2015 14:38

I've often wondered how young dancers cope. I watch too many episodes of Dance Moms

QOD · 07/05/2015 14:43

My dd is 16 and still refuse to consider tampons.
She has had it coincide with holidays 2 times, once was a surprise start but not beach holiday so fine
The other she took the nori something medication to delay it as she's very heavy and 7 day cycles.

Dancergirl · 07/05/2015 14:43

My dd is a dancer. She's been having periods for nearly 3 years and uses towels, I've suggested tampons but she's not keen at the moment.

She doesn't have a problem at all. Modern pads are very thin and can't be seen at all through tights and leotard.

specialsubject · 07/05/2015 16:15

can't believe the old 'no bleeding in water' myth is still kicking around. Yes, you will keep bleeding, and you certainly will when you get vertical to get out of the pool. Do learn some basic science.

no, you don't have to use a tampon, but if you don't you cannot swim in a shared pool during your period because no-one else wants to swim in your blood. It is a disgusting thing to do, same as any other kind of excretion in a shared pool.

end of. Fact. Tampon/mooncup or no swim. Simple choice.

ballet etc does not involve water and there are workarounds; at worst no-one else will be affected.

lincolnshirelassy · 07/05/2015 17:47

Special you DO NOT bleed in the water! It's not a myth, ask any female swimmer. Of course when they come to get out that's a big problem, so tampax are needed, I was making the point because girl swimmers are often scared there will be an embarrassing situation when they start during training- it doesn't happen

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 07/05/2015 17:49

So what's the difference between bleeding in the water or bleeding when you get out, still embarrassing ,no?

lincolnshirelassy · 07/05/2015 17:52

I agree and you should always wear tampons! I was just making the point that girls shouldn't panic about starting suddenly whilst in the pool, not suggesting tampons shouldn't be used, this link explains the 'basic science'www.theaccessproject.org/does-your-period-stop-in-water/

flanjabelle · 07/05/2015 17:55

This happened to me when I first started, a lovely holiday to Florida pretty much ruined. I tried to use a tampon but was so freaked out by the sensation I remember screaming at my mum to get it out for me! that probably isn't one of her favourite parenting memories!

Branleuse · 07/05/2015 18:04

the tampax compak ones are the easiest ones to insert as theyre plastic applicators instead of card.

CrystalSkull · 07/05/2015 19:41

You definitely can bleed in the water though I suppose the actual outflow might temporarily slow down or pause while in a supine position. I definitely second the Vaseline idea - I couldn't use tampons as a teen without it! It made them so easy to put in and didn't seem to affect absorption.

no73 · 07/05/2015 19:47

I went on a school holiday when I was 14 and would have had my period I just went to the GP and got some Norethisterone which worked wonders. Think I took it for a week before I went and then during holiday everyday...it was a long time ago.

Didn't have any side effects at all and GP was happy to prescribe it to me. Far far better than having a period on a sunshine holiday.

I know use a munch but it can take quite a few months to get the hang of and might be a bit much for a 12 year old. At her age I used tampons form the off.

mathanxiety · 07/05/2015 19:50

Please don't use vaseline to insert tampons. It is not kind to the vagina.

Use KY. It is designed for safe use on mucous membranes.

Branleuse · 07/05/2015 20:47

norethisterone made me feel shitty hormonal and premenstrual the entire time i took it. I would not give it to a child

glittertits · 09/05/2015 09:39

Iy you're old enough to have a period, you are old enough to use tampons!

QOD · 10/05/2015 16:25

Ok will tell dd immediately that you said she must

glittertits · 10/05/2015 16:32

Of sod off QOD. Of course it is fine to not want to use them, as your 16 doesn't. In no way was I suggesting that every woman should. But if a menstruating girl wants to try, I don't think age is a good enough reason not to.

cathyandclaire · 10/05/2015 16:33

My two DDs used tampons from their first period, as did I back in the dark ages totally agree with Tampax pearl, they had no problems at all.
KY is a great idea but if caught short without any some saliva dribbled on the end does the trick nicely ( if your DD can bring herself to spit/lick a tampon that is )

InQuiteAPickle · 10/05/2015 16:38

I didn't like the idea of tampons when I was 12 so whenever we went on holiday I used to take Norethisterone and never had any problems.

specialsubject · 10/05/2015 17:28

correct, the odds on your period starting unexpectedly in the hour you are in the pool are quite low. But if your period is due, you can always wear a low-absorbency tampon just for that hour. That's what I used to do.

but to refute the simple fact that you DO bleed in the water won't make it not happen. Or make it any less disgusting when it does. Unless you can train your swimmers to levitate horizontally out of the pool to exit, they will bleed in the pool.

science - it is true whether you believe it or not.

seventhgonickname · 01/09/2015 00:38

I bought my daughter a starter pack that inclued some mini tampons.,
Her periods started at10 and at 11 she asked for help using them so that she didnt miss swimming.I thought she was a bit young but she has managed and has used them eversince as she enjoys the freedon and dosnt worry about flooding anymore.She prefers the non applicator ones now.
Again her periods were with large gaps before any kind of regularity set in.

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