Any tips for helping my dd be able to use tampons?

[flumperoo]

She's tried at different times of the month, in different positions, different types of tampons, with/without applicator, lube etc but so far she's had no luck and says that she can't get them in or it hurts. She's really keen on swimming/watersports and her periods are causing some frustration, including plans having to be cancelled etc, because of this.

Any ideas?

[AllThreeWays]

If she can't get them in and she feels pain, she may have to leave it. Possible that she has a complete (almost complete hymen.
Suggest she explores with a clean lubricated finger to get to know her own size, shape and direction IYSWIM.

Could she possibly go on the pill if periods are frustrating and causing lifestyle problems?

There are other products of course, like the keeper etc which are more flexible and less drying of the vagina, but I think they would require 'more' dexterity and insertion ability...

[JackTheHallsWithBauersOfHolly]

Have you been with her when she has tried? It might be uncomfrotable for you both but you need to know she is trying to put them in properly, she might be 'aiming' wrong.
When I was younger I foudn teh tampax compak with the plastic applicator were the best to try as they were smoother.
Agree with all3ways though that she may have a complete hymen and therefore will not be able to get them in properly at all.

[flumperoo]

I haven't been with her, no. I don't think she'd be happy with that )

I've been on the pill for years and sometimes use it to prevent an inconvenient period. Dd is 14 though - too young do you think?

[FolornHope]

oh god i had this
i use some kind of lubricant irrc
was ALONE at boarding school so was even wors
e make sure she is using mini ones

[mimsum]

sounds like she's got the 'angle' wrong - I used to have this - took me years to get the hang of it

definitely mini ones, lubrication and I found putting one foot up on the loo seat helpful

as soon as you get the hang of it you can't imagine how anyone could do it wrong, but I remember the frustration that everyone else was using tampons and I was still stuck on sanitary towels - and this was in the days before always ultra slim thingies

[dollishillbilly]

Your DD could try Tampax Pearl. The applicator is easier to insert because it's smoother than the regular Tampax ones.

[FolornHope]

yes tell her to aim to her arse cheeks not up wards

[flumperoo]

Thanks for all the tips - I'll pass them on

On the subject of the pill, does anyone have experience of a young teen using this?

[duende]

when I was very young I found putting the tampon in whilst lying on the floor was easiest.

[PixieOnaChristmasTree]

DD1 sometimes uses it to miss a period when she's got a ballet exam/show. She's OK with it, but isn't on it all the time.

[purepurple]

geez, I remember this well from my own teens.
I would have been mortified at the thought of discussing it with my mum though.
I found putting one foot up on the toilet seat helped, as did using the ones with applicators and aiming it in at an angle.

[SingleMum01]

agree with purepurple, put one foot on the toilet seat.

[CoqAuVin]

no really?
we alwasy used to piss self laughing at that advice

[purepurple]

No, it did help.
Honestly

[AllThreeWays]

As to the pill...

I put my daughter on it from around 14 as she was so moody and had horribly painful periods, it helped a lot.She used the alarm on her mobile to remember to take it.

I do not think it made her sexually active any earlier (she is 18 now) and know she used condoms as well when she finally did that with her long time boyfriend

[flumperoo]

Thanks for all the replies

[Vivia]

Yes - tell her to aim towards her spine/back, not upwards. Also tell her to keep one foot on the ground and prop the other foot on the toilet seat, the bent knee eases insertion.