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Teenagers

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

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Original poster

DD periods

24 replies

TenCornMaidens · 29/04/2021 07:38

My dd (14) has started her periods recently. The first one was light, no fuss, no pain. The second one has been a nightmare. She had to come home from school, lots of pain, persistent nausea, loss of appetite, terrible diarrhoea, heavy heavy bleeding with big clots. She has soaked through pads in less than an hour. She had a day and a half off school and is now back but still dealing with heavy flow. My own periods have never been anything like as bad as that. We have figured out the right level of protection for her now, I think.

My instinct is that we should just ride it out and see what the next one is like - that her body is just sort of figuring out this change and there's no point going to the Dr right away. But maybe I'm wrong?

OP posts:

Sparklingbrook · 29/04/2021 07:41

I would see what the next one is like, (and prepare for the same again to be on the safe side) if it's the same then definitely go to the GP.
What does she want to do?

Original poster

TenCornMaidens · 29/04/2021 07:56

She and I both agreed and said, 'We could go to the Dr? But... It might be okay next time so let's see.'

I wasn't sure whether you need to wait several months to let everything settle down. But thinking we should go next time if it's awful is a helpful guide, thanks.

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sashh · 29/04/2021 08:10

See what the next one is like and if it is the same then Dr.

I had years like your daughter, the nausea turned into projectile vomiting and I was taken home from school more than once (in the days teachers would do that).

Going on the pill was fantastic for me.

Sparklingbrook · 29/04/2021 08:59

I remember having to call my Mum from the payphone at school after a horrible flooding incident. She picked me up, took me home and dropped me back in.

That said they must have settled because it wasn't a regular occurrence. I remember the odd letter to no do PE/have showers.

Luckily I think things have moved on since the 80s. I would have been all over 'period pants' and tampons/towels are soo much better than back then. And Mooncups are supposed to be great (I don't fancy them though!)

Original poster

TenCornMaidens · 29/04/2021 09:27

She's got some basic period pants that have helped but I've now ordered some Modibodi as they are so good. Tampons have been attempted but are a no go for her for now, so can't imagine how she'd get on with a cup. I think we will get there with equipment, I'm more worried about how badly it has affected her well-being.

OP posts:

Lullaby88 · 29/04/2021 22:36

I'd atleast speak to a doctor on the phone to get some advice.

HPandTheNeverEndingBedtime · 29/04/2021 22:45

My periods were like this, keep an eye on her energy levels as if her periods are so heavy she's likely to become anemic. I used to come in from school and need a nap which stopped after I started taking iron tablets.

Original poster

TenCornMaidens · 30/04/2021 07:40

She's still menstruating (day six) and still feels nauseous and faint, although she is managing school. I have messaged the Dr for a call back.

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NigellasMicrowave · 30/04/2021 07:46

You are probably already on to this, OP, but I’d encourage her to take an iron supplement. The nausea may be linked to anaemia. I remember someone telling me that I looked “green” as I stood at the school bus stop, feeling very sick before I was finally given a blood test.

The Feroglobin tablets are good and not too harsh on the stomach. She can take them just before bed if she’s queasy in the morning.

cricketmum84 · 30/04/2021 08:30

Place marking to see what your GP suggests!

My daughter is similar. She started her periods a year ago just as she turned 11 and they have been very heavy with quite a bit of pain. I was hoping they would settle in time but it's looking like GP time for us too.

Original poster

TenCornMaidens · 30/04/2021 14:03

The Dr arranged a phone call with my dd next week. She said it can often be quite erratic for the first few but no problem having a chat.

OP posts:

Christmasfairy2020 · 01/05/2021 09:11

Super absorbant tampax or the heavy duty period pants take tablets to school. Or go on pill

Original poster

TenCornMaidens · 11/05/2021 16:05

Update: we spoke to a Dr and she said for now, painkillers and hot water bottles, plus keep logging data. She said it could be erratic for several months. If it continues to be awful then there are options but she doesn't want to medicate unnecessarily. So, at least it is on the record and we now what our job is for now.

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cricketmum84 · 11/05/2021 17:36

Yeah probably a case of giving it a bit more time to settle down.

I've just booked a GP appt for DD as it's been over a year now and she's still suffering. Will update after!

Starkcurtain · 16/05/2021 13:23

I was 10 when I started my period and they were like your DD’s until I started taking the pill at 13. Fainting, anaemic etc. The pill really helped - maybe give it a few more cycles to see if it settles and then explore your options

Starkcurtain · 16/05/2021 13:24

Also moon cups are difficult to get used to at first (so don’t know if she’d be keen at 14?) but they are brilliant! I am still heavy now and find that I flood way less than with tampons/pads.

Y0YO · 16/05/2021 13:30

I ended up in A&E with period pain as a teenager (I didn't know that's what it was, I just threw up, passed out then couldn't move etc).

I was prescribed something called ponstan, can't remember if it helped.

My periods did settle down but were always heavy and crampy.

I've been diagnosed with endometriosis much later in life but I suspect it was an issue from much earlier on.

Certainly give it some time to see if it settles but if she continues to have heavy and/or painful periods it could be worth investigating further.

It's not normal to have a period that interferes with everyday life. Common maybe, but it's not something we should have to put up with!

You're being a brilliant parent helping her sort this out x

motogogo · 16/05/2021 13:31

My dd was erratic from flooding to virtually nothing, it took 18 months to really settle. I bought cheap period pants she could wear the week leading up to when she was due plus some heavy flow and pads as well. She switched to tampons after around 18 months and uses in conjunction with the period pants. Lots of options these days at least. Nausea can be partly worry since once she's used to them that might help too

Original poster

TenCornMaidens · 16/05/2021 16:13

Thanks so much everyone. We have got more period pants and super heavy duty pads so we are ready for next time! I've put her on iron supplements as well. The nausea I don't think was psychological - she is very VERY articulate about her many many anxieties and usually has symptoms like shaking and butterflies and so on (also seeing professionals about all that). I am convinced it was hormonal - apparently if you skip ovulation then the symptoms she had would result. Obviously have to keep an eye on that.

The Dr said something helpful: that your hormones need to play like an orchestra and it can take a while for them all to harmonise and work together. So that is why it is normal to be erratic for a while.

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GreenTeaBlackCoffeeAndRedWine · 17/05/2021 18:23

I'm glad the GP was helpful, yeah it can take time to settle.

My periods were absolutely awful, so heavy that I was fainting, they were never extremely painful (nothing that ibuprofen didn't sort out) but they were also coming every 2.5 weeks at their worst.

I went on the pill at 15, and I'm still on it now, it has been fantastic.

Original poster

TenCornMaidens · 17/05/2021 22:14

She is very teary and tired and nauseated tonight, 3 weeks after the start of her last period, so I'm a bit worried she will start again soon. Poor thing.

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Fauvist · 17/05/2021 22:33

I was going to recommend Modibodi but glad to see that you have already discovered them! They've been a lifesaver for DD and I wish they had existed when I was her age.

Original poster

TenCornMaidens · 19/05/2021 08:33

Yeah, she came on yesterday - despite having cramps, being tired and feeling sick has managed school yesterday and today. She is quite up and down. Last time the real flooding didn't start until the second day so we'll see.

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GreenTeaBlackCoffeeAndRedWine · 19/05/2021 10:46

I hope she is ok. Those first few really are the worst, they aren't used to them yet and especially when it's awful.

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