Girls First Period

Hi C.,
My mom bought me the ECONOMY size package of pads, but I was introduced to tampons when summer rolled around & I wanted to go swimming. Personally I think pads are healthier because tampons make my cramps worse, and pre-teens have so much on their plate anyway, pads are the more practical choice. I hope this helps and Happy Womanhood!

NO!!

My daughter also started in 5th grade. She got the new Always pads to use. They are now so thin and small. To ask a 5th grader to try a tampon is just too much. To think of a little girl trying to shove something into that small space has to be so painful. Not to mention if she doesn't get it up far enough, it'll be even more painful.

My daughter finally was ready to "try" tampons when she was in 7th grade and even then, she only wore them when she HAD to. (swimming) It wasn't until late 8th or 9th grade that she wore them most of the day. She is in 10th now, and still wears pads at night. (by her choice)

Please help this little girl get some pads! And thanks so much for caring about her well being!

Hi C.,

I have been told by doctors that tampons are not good for young girls to use...they wont change them enough. They don't advise a girl use tampons until they are well into thier teens and understand the importance of the diseases that can come from not changing.

I am the mother of 3 and step-mother of 2, 2 of the children are girls. My step-daughter has her period, my daughter, well lets just say we know will be any day!

I am a mother of 3 daughters, 18, 20 and 23 years old. I feel that,It's not appropriate to use a tampon until you have become sexually active. Even though pads are bulky,clumsy and sometimes stinky, they actually help teach us about our periods more accurately than tampons. We learn about the different stages of our bleeding, the color of our blood, heavy/light flow and how to watch the timing of beginning and ending. There is also the issue of developing a relationship with what our periods are ultimately about...being the preparatory stage for conception, not the painful, disgusting "curse" that we have been taught to believe. I also feel that inserting a tampon at such a young age is too invasive, not that the test for virginity is an issue any more but that it's important to keep our girlhood innocence intact as long as possible. All of our children are going through the push to grow up quickly without the true onset of maturity to accompany the push. Our daughters need our mentoring that supports seeing themselves with gratitude and respect for their capacity to conceive and give birth to life.E. P. 59years old

I have 2 teenage daughters and 2 teenage neices. All four started their periods around the same time and all four were given tampons. I bought a variety of different types, slim, regular and different pads so that they could try and choose. Just be sure to give them the paper that comes in the box that talks about how and when to use tampons. I went over the instructions and made sure that they knew how to use them and when to take them out, etc. My mom started me out in pads, also and I hated them. My girls have never had any problems with tampons. I also made sure that they knew what a blessing and honor it is to have periods. It is not a curse, but a blessing from God to us as women. I gave each one a keepsake gift and card to mark the occasion. In turn, my daughters did the same for their friends.

I would recommend using pads for a girl who just got her first period. More especially if she's just barely in 5th grade. There are the "Always" ultra thin pads that are thin and not bulky. They even have a special "teen" pad that are even smaller but work very well. My daughter has had a period for about a year already. She'll be 13 next month and the idea of using a tampon makes her cringe. In my opinion I think it might be a good idea to start young girls off with pads when they first start and as they mature both physically and mentally then introducing the tampon around 15 years if you choose. I personally don't wear them because of a bad experience with them that could have killed me. (Toxic Shock Syndrome) I've explained the dangers of this to my daughter which is why right now she's comfortable with pads. So if and when a girl starts to use tampons, she should be fully aware of the dangers of them and how to care for herself when she does wear them.

This may not apply to the 5th grader, and her first period. but other mom's out there who read this conversation could try what my mom did to help me, and I will do with my two daughters. She let me try a tampon before I got my first period, so that when the day came I would not be all stressed trying to get it in. It worked for me and I am so happy to have never had to use pads (except for in post-partum!) I was a distance runner in age-group track so pads would not have been as comfortable for that.

When i first started my aunt flow i used tampons. i had 2 older sisters so it wasnt a big deal 4 me. i just never liked feeling like i was wearing a daiper.

I am pretty sure that it says not to use tampons for the first period if not longer (probably for sanitary reasons). If she doesn't remember to change them often enough it can cause so many problems and at that age the stress of having a period is enough without trying to figure a tampon out. I'd just have a supply of thinner pads on hand, I doubt anybody is going to need the monster thick ones for their first few periods. Good for you for thinking ahead, my mom had a hysterectomy long before I started my period and we didn't have anything on hand!

tampons wont do her any good unless she knows how to use them. i hope mom showed her where thy go. i htink that these days tampons are a lot better than years ago but on that same note, they can be too good. i once saw a girl inour ER that had toxic shock syndrome for a tampon. she forgot to take it out and she came in with sepsis. she was almost comatose. we had to put a catheter in her to transport her to a pediatic ICU and found the tampon. it was so bad. rotten and smelled up the whole ER. so its important not to just give them to her but to also teach her how to use them. my sisters and i had a good reminder system. we had some painted clothes pins painted in different colors. one color for each girl. we ptu them on a ribbon that we hung in the bathroom. (Moms idea) when we had our periods we put the seven pins up and removed on each day. that way we never forgot and Mom always knew which one of us was doing her thing. years later we found out it was her way to keep track of us jsut in case on of us "missed " a period. but it was a good reminder.

They have new tampons for teens that are about the size of a cigarette, you just have to really emphasize that you push the tampon "BACK" and not "UP" otherwise, it's like riding a picket fence.

I'd say give them both, and see what they prefer. Everyone is usually comfortable with one or the other, or some combination. Just remember "back".

I think 5th grade is too young but 7th is appropriate.
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My mom bought me pads first. The whole "starting my period" thing was traumatic enough without adding the task of learning how to use a tampon. But I have heard of some girls who used them from the beginning. I switched to tampons some time during the next year or so, after starting my period. Don't know if that helps or not, but that's what I will do with my girls and I will let them choose tampons when they are ready.

Girls need to use a pad first. Tampons carry risks and are complicated to use. They don't need the added burden of trying to use a tampon when they are just getting used to having a period.

Hi,
My daughter started her period about six months ago. She is in the 7th grade and I don't think I would give her a tampax even if she wanted one, which she doesn't.

I think once they get older, 15 or 16 you can show them how to use them and give them the choice whether they want to. My opinion is that 5th grade is too young for tampons. Has she even had her sex ed yet?

My daughter told me once she gets used to the whole idea of it, she may want to use tampons. And I'm sure one day she will.

personally i think at 5th grade girl may not have the maturity to do the tampon thing right off. why risk TSS? she may forget it, or wear it too long~i started out with pads for my daughter (now 19) and "graduated" to tampons when she was 14.

1 - it is my personal opinion that tampons are not wise at all. I have read that they have "fibers" in them that can actually cause MORE bleeding. Never mind they have a high risk for toxic shock syndrome. There is a product called "Instead" which is a disposable cup that is inserted, catches the flow and then you dispose. I found and now make available a product called the Keeper. It is eco-friendly...it is made of rubber. It is the same premise as Instead, but you buy it once. Empty as needed (some poeple only have to empty a couple times a day as it holds a whole ounce. For those who have heavy flow this helps eliminate the messes. Empty periodically, rinse adn reinsert. AT the end of the period....wash it good with vinegar and soapy water and allow it to dry. Contact me for more details.

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I see that you have had numerous responses on the question of tampon vs. pad so I won't weigh in on that (although I do think tampons should wait until her periods are regular and heavy).
What I did want to add was a "don't miss opportunity" to this "right of passage".
When I was in the 5th grade I got my first period. It was "celebrated" that weeknd by my mother, several close adult women friends and my best girlfriends. My mom threw me a "Red Party". The food, the decorations, the clothing we wore...all red. At first I was freaked out by the idea. All those women celebrating my period for heavens sake but I look back on it now with such fondness.
The women all shared their best "period horror story" (think white jeans a a school dance). We talked about what becoming a women meant. Mom read stories of how other girls in different countries handle their periods and finally she found this great story about a goddess and they did this ridiculous ceramonial dance around me.
It was all very weird at the time but I LOVED IT!
I plan on doing the same with my daughter when that precious time comes.
Just a thought....

Hi C.,

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Take care, L. H

If you are using tampons then I would suggest showing her how to insert them using a mirror. They always hurt me until a friend of mine literally showed me how to use them on herself. She explained how the vagina was shaped and how to get it in there comfortably. You'd be suprised at how confusing it is the first time. I totally didn't get it until she showed me and I was so grateful that she didn't treat me like I was a complete idiot...Phew!

5th grade - wow that seems young! My first question would be: Is she comfortable with using a tampon?

In my opinion I won't give my girls tampons when they start their periods unless they ask for them.

When I first started (I'm the baby of two older sisters) it wasn't a new thing in our home - I was 13. I let my mom know that I started she took me to the store to pick out what type of pads I wanted to use. What an embarrassing time for me but my mom made it as comfortable as possible. I think that it was a few months before I told her that I was interested in trying tampons. Even then my mom advised to still use a panty liner for spotting that can happen while using tampons. My mom had to actually "show me" how to use the tampon.

I know that kids are more advanced now so maybe your niece is OK with them.

I hope this has helped.

Wow, 5th grade, they are starting younger and younger. The best advice I could give comes from my own experience with a tampon. I had no idea what to do and really was uncomfortable sticking a foreign object inside of me. I understand that times have changed, but the idea of an 11 or 12 year old using a tampon just seems so out of the question. But I guess it somes down to her own comfort level. Give her an opportunity to use both and see what feels best to her, afterall her comfort is whats important.

Hi C.,

I would avoid tampons unless swimming or a special occasion. And, when using them, be sure they are ORGANIC. The garbage in traditional tampons is toxic and can cause more bleeding and long-term damage.

Pads are best!

hi, I know this is not a fun thing...my daughter who was 12 went straight to tampons during hte day and pads at night... all her friends were doing this so she was comfortable with this choice... she was happy with this choice and so that is what we did...I think each girl has to try out all the options then make up her mind on what is most comfortable for them.

Hi C.,

My oldest daughter just started her period too. I gave her pads and figured I would not introduce her to tampons until this summer when she would need to use them in order to go swimming. Just a thought.

-L.

Dear C. --

Today's way of thinking is different. Using pads is almost a thing of the past, unless there is a problem. So I guess I am not surprised to see a tampon being given to a girl. Different families have different ways of looking at things.

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Hi,
I would definitely start my daughter on pads, but if your s-i-l's daughter is in gymnastics, dance, or swimming, she may need to start with tampons. Sometimes the situation dictates.

I would def give her pads to start with, your period usually isn't that regular the first year or so, I would let her use tampons once she is a teenager and wants to use them. Thats just my opinion.

On the tampon use, my opinion is if the tampon fits ok use it. If the girl feels self-conscious about it then give her pads to use. but in light of the past dangers I feel it is safer to make sure they are taught to change them twice a day at least. I am not a health professional, but "toxic shock syndrome" tells me that if we don't let things get toxic in there we should be ok.

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My girls all have started their periods around 14 or 15, (fifth grade is so young!) My girls use tampons, they are active cheerleaders and gymnasts and we live in Arizona where everyone of their friends owns a swimming pool, so they have to use tampons. You can get small "slender" tampons at most grocery stores and that is the type that fits most comfortably for young girls. Tell your s i l to remember that her daughter is young, and she should probably talk to her privately and regularly about keeping her hygiene in check. From an experienced mother of 6 girls...~H~

My daughter will be starting anytime now (6th grader) and I'm planning on pads only- can't imagine using a tampon at that age...don't you remember using your first tampon - yikes! We attended a school sponsored "Your chaning body" with a small group of girls with their moms and the school nurse went over these type of issues. She also suggested pads... in fact, she never even discussed tampons. In the give-away bag to take home, pad samples were given, not tampons.
Hope this helps.

C., you might jstu wait a while, a few years? posbibily, for I remember how shaken I was to put something actually up inside of me. I was at my aunt's house and had forgotten to come prepared and my period came, I was 13 and had jstu begun, and it was mighty frightening, adding to the already frightening aspect of even having to deal with periods. Might you do with a maxi pad for now, or give her the choice, and show her the motion of howexactly you do get it to go in? I remember being handed the box and being told simply to put them in and now I have the motion down pat, but then I sure had no clue. At that age, I would think that what is most approp0irate is whatever she is willing to use and comfy with, after all, I suspect that even having to deal with this whole new way of life if frightening for more than a few.

that is my two cents :-) lol. M. m

i would say it depends upon how comfortable the daughter is with it. if her classmates have their periods and are using tampons she'll be more likely to be ok with it than if she is flying solo on it (not counting mom).

personally, i didn't start using tampons until probably college, i don't remember it in HS. i know some of the girls in my class were using them in HS, but i don't recall it for myself. i think i was too embarassed to ask my mom for them. but then i got a very minimal talk from my mom when i started my period, so i wasn't overly comfortable talking to her about it at the time.

i would second the "use a pantyliner with a tampon" advice. tampons are nice for disguising the fact that you have your period, but the sometimes spotting that can come with them can be disconcerting and embarassing, too.

i didn't get my period until the spring of my 8th grade year (13 1/2 years old). but i know that girls are getting their periods earlier and earlier now. plus they make tampons that are better suited for younger girls now, too.