Tampons opinions please!

[singarainbow]

My 10 yr DD, is showing all the signs of puberty and I want her to feel as prepared as possible for when she starts her periods. When I started mine, aged 11, I already knew how to use tampons, as my mum gave me some some mini ones to practise on months before I started. I would like to do the same thing, but my DP disagrees. She says DD is too young to use them, and should start with pads, but also acknowledges that her mum was very old fashioned, and DP never used a tampon until her late 20s.
DD does alot of swimming/diving, and I would hate for her periods to affect this because she uses a pad. I want her to have the attitude that her period does not limit her, and is no big deal.
I was just looking for some other opinions, or experience...thanks

[TeenAndTween]

I'm not convinced she needs to practice months before her periods start.
You could buy both some small tampons and pads.
First period start with pads.
Then offer tampons to try if she wants to.

DD1 had periods for a year or so before she was emotionally ready to try tampons.

Can see no reason for her to not use tampons as soon as she wants to though.


More importantly, if you think she may start soon

• talk to her about periods
• make sure she has some pads (and clean knickers) at school (e.g. in PE bag)
• ditto summer day camps etc

[titchy]

Why on earth would you think a 10 year old who hasn't started her periods yet would need to insert tampons into herself? Yes tell her about periods, and that she'll either needs pads or tampons and how they're used and changed - but practising first - that's plain weird.

When she starts and gets used to the whole thing she can have a go then if she wants (would also be much easier during a period).

But up to her what she uses, once she knows what they're all about and feels comfortable about the alternatives to pads.

[Chopstheduck]

i agree, wait til she starts and then offer her some to try. dd and I went to the shop after her first one and she chose things she wanted to try, witha little guidence!

[pmTea]

Agree with all the above replies - she may not be ready to insert a tampon at all, even in a year - so absolutely wouldn't give her any to practise with beforehand.
Periods early on can be quite heavy and she may not even feel like swimming when she's on hers, to start with.
My mum was worried about me and sister using tampons early on (we both started aged 11), because there was a lots of toxic shock syndrome news going 'round back then and she was scared we'd forget to change a tampon for a week!
Good hygiene and being well prepared is more important than what she chooses to use.

[BackforGood]

I agree with others - I think that is just weird, asking a 10 yr old (well, any aged person, tbh, but somehow seems odder in such a young child) to insert tampons into them self when they haven't started their periods yet .

[Lottie4]

I agree with others, wait until she starts before thinking about tampons. If she uses pads the first few times, you will get more of an idea of flow.

My daughter hasn't started her periods yet, but she knows I've got pads for when the time comes. She actually told me she knows you can buy tampons and she really doesn't want to use them. Told her that's fine. I will bring the subject up when she's started and she how she feels about them then. We often have short breaks away involving swimming every day and also enjoy swimming as a family, so she may not want to feel she's missing out on the fun.

[HotCrossPun]

It's not 'weird' it's just not a very sensible idea.

It's really painful pulling out a dry tampon even when you are experienced at using them.

Speak about all the different types of things she can use and how they are used beforehand, she will feel more prepared when she does start.

I used pads for years and didn't really think tampons were an option. I wish my mum had explained them to me because it would have been a lot less hassle using them.

Get her the slimline applicator tampons, they are the easiest to insert by far.

As long as you give her all the options and she knows she can talk to you/ask you about anything then she will be fine.

[singarainbow]

Thanks for your replies, she is comfortable talking about periods and puberty, and I will certainly take on board what you have all said. I will ensure she has some pads, and the obligatory clean knickers at all times, and let the tampon thing come from her. TBH, my mother did have some fairly weird ideas, which is why I had to get some more oipinions!

[singarainbow]

opinions!

[JuliaScurr]

don't see why it's weird to practice beforehand
or is it weird to think of our daughters putting anything in their vagina?

[exexpat]

JuliaScurr - have you ever tried to insert a tampon when it is not your period? The blood acts as a lubricant and makes it easier; I can imagine that trying for the first time when it is not your period would be difficult, possibly painful and would probably put her off for ages.

[singarainbow]

I was just wondering whether people used tampons straight off for their DD's or did they let them progress to them. Just because I always used tampons, doesn't make it ok for everyone, even my own DD.

[exexpat]

I think you just give her the choice: provide a range of pads and tampons in different sizes and styles (applicator or non-applicator etc), and be there to provide any advice/support she needs to decide. As far as I can remember, I started using tampons within a few months of my periods starting at age 11, but lots of girls don't take to them to start with.

[bigTillyMint]

DD and most of her friends won't entertain tampons and they are 14/15. Only one of her friends was happy to use them from 12.

I would also give her a choice - it's up to her what she feels comfortable with.

[BackforGood]

Agree- you give the choice - talk about different options, have different options available and see how they feel, what they want to try. Let her know it's fine to mix and match too - it's not like anybody has to always use one thing or the other.

[BackforGood]

My dd is like yours BigTilly - just coming up for 15 and really does not get on with tampons.

[sonlypuppyfat]

Oddest thread I've read in a long time, a ten year old practicing with tampons. I've never been able to use them and I'm 46!

[Chopstheduck]

yeah give her the choice.


dd wasn't keen at first, but I used them from my first period and I did try to encourage her to try, just really because they are more convenient, especially for sports, etc. We got thin, applicator ones, and it was fine.

After she got through a box in two days I did have to explain to her not to change it every time she went to the loo though She realised her vagina and urethra are separate but was worried about the string getting wee on it!

[singarainbow]

Chops...that is funny, thanks, your post made me feel less weird.

[pmTea]

chopstheduck very sweet

[Izzy123lo]

My dd used tampons when she was 11 because she had her best friends birthday party and they we're going to a water park, but she's very mature for her age. But its your daughters choice tbh really

[Jollyb]

I used to carry a small pot of Vaseline in my bag in the early days.

[Turniptwirl]

I agree it's not very comfortable inserting and removing tampons when it's not your period, even as an adult, so would be worried it would put a child off using them at all

Great that she can talk to you about things, just remember she may find the idea of putting something up there a bit gross or just weird at first , and may be happier with pads for a while