First Period Horror Show

[bluestarthread]

DD, age 11 has started her period. She's having a bad time of it and I'm trying to be sympathetic!
On a positive level she is very openly telling me all about it and we've discussed lots of issues, she's cried, I've hugged, all good bonding stuff.
On the other hand she is not coping with the sight of blood (!) and it seems to be quite heavy (Day 4 now - and also had spotting at the beginning of August - a false start I think, she was quite shocked when she got a proper flow at the weekend)
She keeps claiming to be 'uncomfortable' by which she seems to mean that she can feel the blood dripping out. She's refusing to do anything other than sit in her room and is going to the loo every 10 minutes to wipe rather than let the pads catch the blood.
I doubt that I'll get her to her sports activity this evening as wearing white martial arts suit is filling her with horror!
My first period was at the same age but over 30 years ago and I really can't remember what it was like. But I don't remember it being very heavy at first, it certainly didn't stop me doing things.
So is she just being sensitive, or is she really having a heavy period in which case does she need to see the GP?
Just wondering what other first periods have been like for your DDs, how quickly they settled into a regular pattern etc?

Have you given her a box of tampons? There is no need for her to use sanitary towels and if she feels the blood dripping out she might feel more confident with tampons.

Oh bless her, this was me, 25 odd years ago now, I also hated the 'blood dripping out of me' I remember saying it to my mum hoping she would offer tampons but was too embarrassed to ask. Could you both go to a supermarket together and see what else is available? I know they do teen ranges and all sorts now and see what might suit?

If she uses tampons carefully and hygenically she will probably find the whole process easier. I couldn't keep believe the difference when I first starting using them after a couple of years of pads. Even my cramps improved from not having that 'weighed down' feeling.

Thanks for the replies. I bought back a whole range of things from the shops for her to try including tampons. I think they will probably be the thing she needs to continue an active life - a bit reluctant at the moment though. Lots of positive reinforcement needed!!!

It's such a horrible shock for girls to realise that they'll have to put up with periods for about 50 years...I remember being horrified at the idea...but tell her that they really do become so much easier to deal with as you get used to them!

It's only her first period, give her a chance to get used to the idea. That dripping feeling is horrible,I still can't wear towels now because of it and I'm 46! Most people I know with daughters said the first couple of times were a bit difficult but then they've got used to coping with it.

And heavyish loss from first period is normal unless she's changing a pad every hour because it's soaked.

Aw bless her, it is a shock. And as someone else said the 50 years of periods thing can be very overwhelming for girls of that age.

I was 12 when I started, and I can't say I remember mine stopping me doing things, but it can take a while for some girls get used to the idea that you don't have to constantly be near a toilet when you're on your period (I mean, every 10 mins).

Although I was 14 before I started using tampons (I was the same as your DD in that until then I was very reluctant) with encouragement they might really help her as they prevent the drip.