Teenagers and Menstruation Advice Needed

iwilllearntosave

I am a long term lurker so feel like I know some of you regs very well and would appreciate advice.

I'm a shared custody father and have my children over the summer. We go on a holiday tomorrow, our first holiday in a long time apart from camping and to say we are looking forward to it, is an understatement.

Bad timing but my 13 year old has had her very first menstruation today and it appears heavy. She is very upset as was looking forward to scuba diving, swimming on holiday and stuff.

I have rang her mother who is not answering the phone so I need to ask you guys for advice. What do I say to her? I bought some sanitary wear but not the ones that ladies would wear whilst swimming as I do not think they are appropriate, I have googled but its not helping with what I say to alleviate her disappointment on the holiday.

GwylimT

Why is sanitary protection inappropriate for her? Buy the different types that are available and she can decide which ones she would like to use.

Pechow

There's the option of getting her a menstrual cup, you can wear those while swimming. She'd need to be comfortable with her body enough to be able to put it into position, but once it's done she shouldn't be able to feel it and there'll be no strings etc like with tampons.

Otherwise, her period may not last for very long, she might be able to go swimming nearer the end of the holiday. Otherwise I'm not sure there is much you could say to help with the disappointment, others will likely have better advice there than me.

ViolaLass

iwilllearntosave wrote: »

What do I say to her? I bought some sanitary wear but not the ones that ladies would wear whilst swimming as I do not think they are appropriate, I have googled but its not helping with what I say to alleviate her disappointment on the holiday.

Do you mean tampons? Why would they not be appropriate? (Apart from the fact that they can take a few goes to get used to).

1. Does your daughter understand what has happened? (When I had my first period, I had no idea why I was bleeding and was terrified. I thought I was dying.)

2. If she knows what's going on, does she have any ideas of what she'd like to do?

3. If it's heavy, are you sure it's her very first period?

4. She could swim without protection. I did and was fine.

Nicki

How long is the holiday. She probably won't bleed for very long at this age. Maybe 3-4 days on total including today. So the whole holiday might not be ruined. Make sure you take some nurofen with you though in case of cramps.

cakeforbrains

Are there any women she can talk to? Your partner? An aunt? Can she call a friend.

I would second the idea of a cup. They're much healthier than tampons, but she'd have to, as Pechow says, feel comfortable with her body to use one.

Otherwise tampons are fine if she wants to go swimming and stuff. What has she said? What does she want to do?

Gigervamp

I think OP is referring to tampons not being suitable.

It is rotten timing. Even when wearing tampons, I could never go swimming as they always leaked when I was in the water.

Sorry OP, not sure what sort of advice you want? I take it your daughter does know about periods?
How long are you going on holiday for? She may only be on for a few days as it's her first period.

iwilllearntosave

It is definitely her first, she was shocked and unsure. her friends have had theirs and she talks to her mother and is fully aware.

She asked not for tampax (sorry I know its a brand name but its all I know), she chose the ones she wanted and a lovely lady from Boots helped. She has some at home that the school nurse gave out and we went for those ones.

I don't really know if its heavy as I am gonna play the cop out that I don't know much about this. She has used 2 towelling fixtures today, she has no pain or cramps.

She is mature but devastated about the holiday, she is trying to be brave but I know she is gutted as I'm getting more cuddles than usual.

Neither myself nor her are sure about using insertion ones, are they safe, can she really use them at her age?

ViolaLass

iwilllearntosave wrote: »

Neither myself nor her are sure about using insertion ones, are they safe, can she really use them at her age?

Tampons are equally safe at any age.

GwylimT

Of course tampons are safe, otherwise they wouldn't be sold, there are no age limits for tampons just as there aren't for sanitary towels (which I think is what you mean when you say toweling fixtures) or mooncups.

iwilllearntosave

she has rang my sister her aunt and she popped round and showed her how to put them on and stuff.

I never even thought about the holiday until about an hour ago when I she mentioned it and I saw her face, my sister is at work as she is a nurse but I have left a message.

No girlfriend but I can ring a few friends, it is just I feel a bit out of place and its far easier to get information via typing before I pick up a phone and my sister will reply when her shift finishes.