Advice please for single dad about daughter's periods starting...

[mttum]

I'm just after a bit of reassurance please. DD has started her first period at the age of 13. We talk about all sorts including this subject, but are both a bit new to it! She's using pads and gets through about 2 per day, so I guess it's not that heavy, but my concern is that it's been going on for two and a half weeks now. Is this unusual? I know periods can be irregular to start with but is it "normal"to last this long? She's fine otherwise, feels fine in herself, not anaemic looking or overtired.

Do I need to take her to the doctors?

I would, just to get her checked out.

They normally last from 3 to 7 days ish. 2.5 weeks is long. She should change her pads a bit more frequently too as the blood on the pad will start to smell.

I had very long periods as a teen, and went to the GP, I was out in the pill just to control my periods. Minulet I think it was called. Get her checked out.

Have a look at the web sites that Tampax or Lillets or whatever have got - they've got pretty good information for girls. Lillets do little teenager starter packs with pads,tampons and other bits too that my daughter liked. Keep a note on a calendar/diary of her dates. We just used a circle to indicate she started and x to indicate it finishing - it helped us to keep an eye on her cycle in an unobtrusive way. Make sure she has a spare pad in her bag - always, without fail (you never know when you're going to need it - see recent post from a teacher asking if it was reasonable for her to hand out 'Sanpro' as she called it). You're right that it will be irregular for a while but this does seem a bit long. Agree with more frequent pad changing and a trip to the dr isn't unreasonable. Perhaps take the opportunity to ask for an arrangement for your daughter to be able to speak to the practice nurse if she has queries she'd like to speak to a woman about. Have a hot water bottle at the ready to deal with period pain and broad shoulders to deal with the tetchy moods that come with it! Keep up with what you're doing - sounds like you're doing fine!

RudeElf, i am saddened that your first reaction is to suspect me of being a pervert.

Never mind. Thank you to those who have posted helpful suggestions. I will take DD to see the practice nurse, and point her in the direction of those links.

And, hopefully, continue to have a healthy and open relationship with my daughter

OP definitely take her to the docs but don't worry as things can be a bit erratic at first. Hope all goes well.

I'm really pleased that you are being open with her. As the daughter of a single dad who was not open about things it was really difficult.

On the 2.5 weeks thing I agree with previous posters, maybe see the GP or a practice nurse.

RudeElf, did you check the OP's past posts? He states he is a single dad way back in 2013....

I agree with others, take your Dd to the nurse. I would tell her to change the pad more regular, every time she goes to the toilet maybe.

RudeElf please report your own (troll hunting) post, it's really not fair. Your assumptions made no sense.

I disagree. They made perfect sense. Please feel free to report my posts.

Well done to you for being such a supportive parent op. Hopefully her periods will fall into a pattern over time.

Well now you see, if i had done a search on OP and came across that post about his daughter's body hair i would have been even more convinced he was creepy mcdeletable from the other thread. And i cant say anymore or this post will go too.

Just so I have this right, Rude and Fucker are accusing other posters of creepiness?

I think this op's posts are creepy, yes

And your point is ?

Anyfucker that's a bit unfair actually. My dds 11 and she asked me to come and show her how to shave her armpits the first time she done it. So I done it and showed her how to hold the razor, what direction to use it in, to rinse it etc after a couple of strokes.

How is that any different to the op just because he is male (but he's a single father!) I find it really sad the way people go on finding things odd just because the father does it when they wouldn't if it was the mum especially being someone who lived with my own father and had a close relationship. Closer than with my mum.

My dad taught me about shaving because I didn't have anyone else. How is that creepy?

Just so I have this right, Rude and Fucker are accusing other posters of creepiness?

I did suspect that OP was the same OP of another thread that was started yesterday along a very similar theme and then deleted by HQ as that OP was not as they seemed. It is certainly not unknown for pbps to re-register and try again. It was very coincidental. What AF has found through advanced search (as advised by another poster) could also be seen as coincidental, or not. HQ have not yet responded to my report.

Would your father have shared that "experience" with strangers on the internet ?

Op was updating the thread. He asked for advice, took on board said advice and shared the results.

AF - I mean looking over all someone's posts and then implying very unpleasant behaviour. Doesn't that feel a bit creepy?

If he'd started a thread then he may well of updated it. What's so creepy a bit shaving anyway?

not really

someone else was criticised for not looking over previous posts so I did..that is what the Search Function is for, after all