11 year old DD just got her period for the first time and we are going on holiday in 4 weeks

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So it looks like she may get her period whilst we are abroad. :(

She has handled her first cycle like a little super star but I'm really worried she will get her period whilst on holiday. (As it's her first we have non idea of cycle.length etc.) At 11 she's obviously using pads and I we haven't even discussed tampons yet as she is so young. Is there anything that would allow her to swim and enjoy all the usual fun of a holiday?

When I was younger I tried Norethisterone and it made me feel awful. Really low mood and the worst stomach ache. I have since heard of others who have had similar.

If I was the OP I'd ask my daughter what she would like to try. She may want to give tampons a go, period swimwear or both. It's her period so she should choose.

I wouldn’t give an 11 year old norethisterone, DD had it last year (age 14) and she felt uncomfortable, crampy and crappy the whole time. Also you have to take it in advance of when the period is due, which you don’t really know?

I actually do not see why you wouldn't introduce her to tampons...they're far easier and much less messy than pads. I used them from the 2nd day of my 1st period... So much less messy and when it's in you can forget you have a period. Pads are horrible!

I'm an adult and use period swimwear. My periods can be quite heavy. I was so sceptical about it and so paranoid but honestly the swimwear really worked, even on heavy days. Try it in the bath first to give confidence. There was no leaking whatsoever and I wore it for a couple of hours each time in pool and on the sunlounger after. I did change out of it after a few hours just due to paranoia but I think it probably would have held up. I recommend buying a couple of pairs so that there's one for morning and afternoon (wet swimwear is always a bit unpleasant to put on!).

Norethisterone worked great for me until I had kids and then it made me literally go crazy after 1 pill, within hours. I'm not an emotional / volatile person but I felt like I was going insane. I can't take any kind of hormonal contraception. I personally think best to wait until your daughter's periods are regular as you don't want to be messing with this drug unless it's really needed, not when period swimwear works so well.

DD (now 6 years into periods) isn't interested in using tampons. She tried them on holiday once and has barely used them since. I don't understand it personally!

Me too but only as I swam several times a week so didn’t have a choice really. Remember locking myself in the bathroom with a mirror hahaha
I only had about 3 periods first year though and they stopped completely for 3 months during the stress of my exams.

I would be interested if this thread got moved to the infertility board to see what posters would say about the issue there. And what they would tell you about GPs precious seven years of training and how much knowledge they have on the whole about cycles

If you insist on dealing in anecdotes rather than facts then what do you make of the fact that I have delayed my periods for my own convenience whenever it suits me and I have eight children? GP's often don't get it right absolutely true - but I would put my faith in an impartial GP before someone who is clearly on this site with their own agenda.

This is scare mongering, the pressure of the water pretty much stops the flow until you get out anyway (if you've ever cut yourself under water you can see how the pressure reduces a forceful bleed and a period is not expelled with any force). Add in period swimwear which keeps an absorbent layer tight against you with a waterproof layer against the water itself and there is no reason to fear this. Certainly don't get her medicated!

Cups and pants are easier still, and less of a health risk than tampons.

I’m 50 and this happened to me way back in the day. My mother tossed me a box of tampons and I never looked back.

It can take a while for them to get used to the idea of tampons

However if she's happy to use them because of swimming etc then all the better

Hopefully the swimwear period pants will do the job

I know my DD flatly refuses to wear period underwear

The ones I did buy leaked for her because she gets heavy periods

Less so now she went in the pill as she was also getting bad stomach cramps

I only started using tampons because I went swimming every week

OP obviously period swimwear has been recommended.

I started at 11 and I was regular from the first month, actually incredibly regular, 7.15 pm every 4 weeks.

I'd get a selection of pads / tampons for her to try, if she has a heavy flow tampons are easier to use. I don't mean push her in to something she doesn't want but let her have options.

DD refuses to use them. I presented them as an option and they are in the house if she even changes her mind but she doesn't even want to try. Fair enough, it's her body and her period, so pads and period pants/swimwear it is.

Don't rule out tampons, I used them at 11, I was a squad swimmer - we had no choice if we wanted to stay in squad - looking back our club was vile.
My daughter used them on the second day of her period, no way was she entertaining pads. She then moved on to a cup, but currently using period pants, which I hate and after a while they get a smell which you can't shift.

Period swimwear, but have a back up plan if she doesn’t want to go swimming on a heavier day (we took dd 12 to a museum and an aquarium on her 2 heaviest days).

Just wanted to check in and let you know i have read all your replies and suggestions. I really do not want to discuss medication at this point, but I have spoken with my DD at length about her options- ( minus the medication) and she isn't keen on the period pants/swimwear, a couple of her friends have tried them and claim they are useless! (her words)
We have spoke about tampons and she was more inclined to try these than any other option if and when her next cycle starts. I've given her a selection and a brief explanation on how they work, told her she must not try them until her period arrives and to check online for advice on how to use in more detail. ( i found them easier to use laying down for example) and also told her not to worry if she finds it difficult, there is no pressure to use them if she doesn't find them comfortable.

The holiday is a resort holiday and centers around the beach/pool and not much else to do in the day other than watersports, swim, waterpark etc.

Just an added note, how expensive is the swimwear!!! £70 for a costume... £35 for bikini bottoms.....diabolical!

I've given her a selection and a brief explanation on how they work

You can give a basic demonstration using the gap between finger and thumb when you make a fist 😂

It shows that you need to push it in, especially with an applicator one (whereas I thought you just put it at the entrance to your vagina and pushed the plunger).

I might not have done a perfect job of Period Training but I've done a better job than my mum!

I agree. Bless her. When I started my period I didn't have another for three months! I was like that for a long time, once went five months. However, you never can tell. Some girls start and have a 28 day cycle thereafter so it's good to be prepared.

Re the medication...I found things had changed between my dds...when dd1 was c14 the GP happily gave her the medication. It worked and she had no after effects. When dd2 was slightly younger I asked again and it was a flat no.
Re tampons..I bought ky jelly for one dd and she found it helped

My daughter is a swimmer and happy & confident with the period swimsuit she has. I think it was approx £30 from TU.

Primark sell period swimwear at much more affordable prices!

You may find your dd is not regular for a couple of years anyway. However, my daughter uses period pants with a pad in them on holiday. This means she has extra security and washing the pants on holiday is easier. She has black period swimwear but would only use this on lighter days. She does have heavy periods though and your daughter may have lighter ones.

She is a bit nervous about her period arriving while we are away but taking pain relief first thing in the morning on heavy days tends to reduce the flow.

I bought my DD some period bikini bottoms from Primark op ... can't remember the exact price but about a tenner. She wore them underneath her normal swimsuit. Worked fine.