Teenagers and Menstruation Advice Needed

Nicki

Tampons are safe so long as she changes them frequently and washes her hands before and afterwards. Otherwise there is a risk of toxic shock syndrome which though rare is life threatening.

I wouldn't suggest tampons though for her first period without mum to help and advise. They do need some practise to insert and its no bad thing anyway for her to learn what the normal flow of her period will be like.

iwilllearntosave

Ok, in the morning I will buy some tampax and ask my sister to spend some time with her and then it can be her decision. Is this the best way forward?

cakeforbrains

How long is your holiday? As others have said, it's unlikely that she'll bleed for long.

I think it's lovely that you care so much about this.

One tip, though, if you say 'period', 'pad' and 'tampon' you'll sound much more relaxed, which might help her feel relaxed.

Pechow

I'm totally biased because I have a menstrual cup and love it, once I tried it I never look back, so please consider giving her that as an option as well

Annisele

Tampons are absolutely fine for 13 year olds.

Please be patient with the amount of time she spends in the bathroom though. The first time I used them (aged 13) it took me nearly an hour to get the damn thing in. They're really not difficult - they take seconds when you know what you're doing - but frustration plus embarrassment plus a growing certainty that the thing was obviously far too big caused me some issues.

shelley_crow

As long as she practises good hygiene (washing hands before and after insertion/removing) tampons are fine. I hated using sanitary towels when I first started my periods but then I was younger than your daughter when I started.

Nicki

iwilllearntosave wrote: »

Ok, in the morning I will buy some tampax and ask my sister to spend some time with her and then it can be her decision. Is this the best way forward?

Yep. Sounds like a good plan. And chocolate. First periods call for a big bar of really good chocolate!

Fosterdog

If this is her first it is likely to be quite light and only lat a few days, you say she has changed her towel twice today, that is not a heavy flow at all. They should be changed roughly every four hours even if they don't appear to need changing so she will get through a few a day.

I don't think she should consider tampons at this early stage, they are not the easiest to use and she needs to get used to her periods for at least a few months first.

Just go and enjoy the holiday and just put off swimming for the first few days and plan other things to do

cakeforbrains

Pechow wrote: »

I'm totally biased because I have a menstrual cup and love it, once I tried it I never look back, so please consider giving her that as an option as well

Agreed. Using a cup will be much more healthy for her than a tampon, but she can make this choice over the next few months. No rush.

lika_86

I would also recommend tampons with applicators until she's confident using them as from my experience, I found them easier to deal with to begin with.