Tampon talk, instruction

So I have one girl who started having her periods, and up until this month it hasn't been a big deal. She uses pads and is comfortable enough with them. BUT it is summer, and this week we were going swimming and she has her period. I called her big sister, since she takes instruction better from her, and I was hoping Andrea might have some smaller tampons that I had. Well Andrea went up to try and show her HOW to put a tampon in and she 'freaked' (Andrea's words...she said she was so scared of the idea it wasn't an option)


So my question is, HOW do you teach an 11 year old to put in a tampon? OR what can she do when she is having her period and wants to go swimming? HELP!?!?!!!!

 

I started my period at gymnastics, so I had no choice but to use a tampon. To this day, the only time I used pads was after my girls were born.

Here's how it was explained to me. Sit on the toilet with your legs further apart and your hips tilted back (sort of hunch backed). Aim the tampon at the small of your back.

I used OB because it was tiny and easier to manipulate than one with an applicator.

Really, the only way it will work is if she wants to and can relax through the placing of it. It's tampon and swim or pad and no swim. I'd just explain it and leave her the tools for a day, then check back to see of she has questions or concerns. I bet being on the spot made her tense and made the whole thing seem impossible.

 

Well, considering I didn't start using tampons until recently because no-one EVER explained to me how to use them, and the 1 time I tried it was so uncomfy and annoying, because I didn't put it in right......I agree with Stephanie.

Try to explain it, leave the instructions in there, and tell her she can't swim if she has her period and is using a pad. I preferred (and still do), playtex sport. Fairly small and easy to insert.

 

My DD has already said she will "Never!" use a tampon. She is going to have a rude awakening as she is a competitive gymnast and although she can wear pads with shorts over her leo during practice, she can't do that for a competition. I just hope we make it through the next 6 months without that wonderful visitor showing up, but her luck it will come 2 days before her first competition.

 

With my older daughter, I had her wait at least a couple of years after she started her period. I really felt it was best if she waited until she was comfortable dealing with her period, was more comfortable with her body, etc. I know it isn't always an option to wait (and she is a competitive dancer, so there was always the possibility that we wouldn't be able to wait, either, but it worked out for us), but I do think if it can wait, it is easier when they are older. When she did start using them, I just tried to explain it to her, told her to read through the instructions as well, and also made sure that we had a good talk about how long you can safely leave a tampon in without causing problems. She had no problems with them, but she was probably about 14 at the time.

 

I was on the swim team in high school and sometimes I didn't use a tampon for practice. (Like if I was out, forgot to bring one, or was caught off guard. I know not everybody's body works the same, but if I'm completely wet, I don't have any flow. Why? don't know. So I would put on my suit, jump in the locker room shower (which we were supposed to do any way to help keep the pool clean). Then go out and get right in and started with warm up, then at the end of practice right back into the shower and dressed. This probably doesn't work for recreational visits to the pool, since you are getting in and out. For competitions, it's also not an option as you are out of the pool.

 

I didn't use them til college. I just opted out of things. And frankly, they were uncomfortable until after I'd had kids. My 14 yo just used them for the first time because we were going to Great Wolf Lodge and she didn't want to miss out. I explained it a little bit and handed her the instructions. She didn't really care for it and went right back to pads when we got home. But at least now she has that option.

 

My mom took the girls to Dinsey in March and I wasn't sure if my oldest DD would be on her period or not. I bought the slender regular tampons for her. I explained how they were inserted and showed her the directions. I told her to practice before she left. She ended up needing them. She still uses pads mostly but at least she has the option now.

 

My mom suggested using a bit of lube on the tip of the applicator. Made all the difference for me. That being said, I didn't know it was lube till much later.

 

I started mine in summer. In New Mexico. Soooo I had to learn quickly. My mom very simply said learn to use them or not go swimming. She bought me my own box, handed them over, and said there were instructions on the box. That's how I learned.

 

(Man I am so glad I have boys.. :lol

My mom wasn't around (parents are divorced) when I started my period. I started with pads but hated them. I only wore pads on my heavy flow days at school/work because I couldn't change tampons quickly enough, and after I had babies. Honestly I just had a box and read the directions. My Dad wasn't about to explain it to me and I doubt he even knew!! Poor Dad. Maybe just keep a box in the bathroom for her, let her know they are there and let her deal with it when she's ready and on her own turf, know what I mean?

 

My 14yo is a competitive gymnast, and started the week of a meet, so we went straight to tampons. It was NOT easy! There were some tears, but it was actually easier for her to put one leg up on the side of the tub. I also had to let her use some Vaseline,, even with the Playtex "slender" tampon. My oldest started using them on her own a couple years after she started, and didn't have any problems.

 

Just to reiterate what other posters said,

start her off with the smallest size avail. one brand makes a "teen version"

Tell her she needs to relax, the more tense you are, the more tense your muscles get,

maybe, have her take a hand mirror with her, to see around?

 

I don't remember this being a big issue for me to learn. I use OB now, applicators seem like a lot of wasted plastic, but it's possible having an applicator might make it easier to learn, especially if she is squeamish about touching herself. This has been useful. My girls are 9, so I'll want to make sure they are not squeamish or afraid before this becomes an issue. I don't think it occurred to me to be tense; however, I didn't get my period until 3 months shy of 15, so I was more emotionally mature when I started. I pretty much always used tampons, that just felt cleaner to me.

 

Not sure if this was mentioned, but there are instructions on this in the American Girl Book The Care and Keeping of You.

 

Kotex makes a "tween" tampon They have a great website too http://www.ubykotex.com/real_answers/hello_period?WT.mc_id=SCG&WT.srch=1

I remember I used to use the cardboard tampax as a teen and they were difficult to put in. I know the plastic applicators are much easier to put in.

 

I am so glad someone started this. I am sure my 12 year old will start at some point in the next few (days, months, years). Since she is a competitive gymnast and a lot of her friends are using them. We have talked about them and I have bought her some and shown her how they work but I know actually inserting them is another issue. A friend of mine actually had to put her daughters in for her. Most of my friends just stand there next to them and talk them through it. I have told Josie I can't imagine using pads every month...I have been using tampons my whole life. I think the idea with lube or vaseline would probably be a great idea. I know my gyn when I talked to said its much easier to insert them if you bear down like you are trying to push as it opens everything up.