Question about First periods- possible TMI

I feel like I can’t ask this on FB because my mother in law is literally everywhere, lol
My DDs are eight, and not showing signs of puberty yet even though many girls are getting theirs younger and younger. MIL and I were having a nice discussion about introducing the topic to make them feel more comfortable with it when it happens. The conversation turned to tampons and immediately headed South! She doesn’t think thInk that young girls should wear tampons She thinks it’s sinful wtf
My basic question is, do young girls start to wear tampons when they get their first period, or is it recommended that they wait? Just curious because I am in disbelief that people are so old-fashioned

Re: Question about First periods- possible TMI

Well, I certainly don't think it's "sinful" lol, but I can see it being maybe uncomfortable for a young girl to insert anything, kwim?
A few of DD's friends have their periods already (10 years old) and none use tampons yet.
I talk openly with DD about my period, tampons etc and she's horrified by the thought of a tampon lol and has declared she will not use one. So there's that.
I'm not sure if there is any "medical " reason they can't though.
It's probably more a matter of comfort

Re: Question about First periods- possible TMI

I didn’t use a tampon for many years as I just didn’t want to but I know many girls who do younger because they might be on a swim team and they are required (at least older ones) to wear one.

Re: Question about First periods- possible TMI

I learned all about pads AND tampons before I got my period. I got my period at the end of 7th grade at age 13 and I will be honest, at that young age I wasn't comfortable with tampons because I was nervous I would insert it wrong. So I used pads for a few years and around 10th grade switched to tampons. I think it's just a personal preference, I had friends who used tampons pretty early on but for myself, it just took a little time to get use to using them.

Message edited 1/1/2021 7:45:50 PM.

Question about First periods- possible TMI

Unpopular opinion here. I HATE tampons. They are so uncomfortable to me, always have been. Even as an adult I only use them for beach/swimming days. I dont think its sinful but I think a young girl who is just starting puberty might have a tough time with them. I see no harm in having the conversation about both with your DD when the time comes. Def not "sinful" lol

Question about First periods- possible TMI

My mom told me I couldn't use tampons until I was married.

I wonder if she'd be horrified now at all my pre-marital tampon usage.

ETA: I don't remember when I started using them (or how I got them past my lunatic mother when I still lived with her) but when the time comes, I can't imagine ever having an issue with my own DD using tampons whenever she wants.

Message edited 1/1/2021 8:30:24 PM.

Re: Question about First periods- possible TMI

Re: Question about First periods- possible TMI

I teach HS. I have had students ask me for both tampons and pads. Younger students (grade 9) usually ask for pads, while older students (grade 11-12) ask for tampons in emergency situations.

Re: Question about First periods- possible TMI

Re: Question about First periods- possible TMI

Question about First periods- possible TMI

There is nothing "sinful" about tampons. I would include them in the discussion but I would hold off on them until she is comfortable with taking care of herself and her period becomes more regular. I personally hate tampons and have never used them.

Re: Question about First periods- possible TMI

Question about First periods- possible TMI

edited b/c of stalker

Message edited 1/20/2021 1:59:40 PM.

Re: Question about First periods- possible TMI

I loved tampons but could never use them now. Unfortunately I am closer to menopause and way too heavy for them :(

Question about First periods- possible TMI

I think girls should learn about and be offered all the options...I think women should learn all their options lol. Pads, tampons period underwear, cups. I think if girls could learn to use menstrual cups from early on it would save them a lot of headaches. I can't believe how many years I thought they were horrifying bc man was i missing out on the easy life.

Re: Question about First periods- possible TMI

There is no medical reason for girls to not use tampons. But for sure I would imagine it would be uncomfortable starting out. i think if a girl is on a swim team or it's summer she might be more inclined to suffer the pain and get used to using them but a lot of girls do not want to use them so stay out of the water for those days and use pads. Personal preference.

Re: Question about First periods- possible TMI

I remember after having DD tampons didn't fit right for awhile... ...i felt like they were going to fall out or something. I guess things had to tighten back up!

Re: Question about First periods- possible TMI

I used pads until I was about 18 or so. I currently use both. I prefer a pad and will use a tampon with pad backup on heavy days and a light tampon on the tail end of it. I was told about both but wasn’t comfortable with putting a tampon in when I was younger.

Def not sinful but can see it being difficult at first. Especially when getting to know your flow. There are a lot more accidents with tampons then With pads

Re: Question about First periods- possible TMI

I don’t think there is anything wrong with using a tampon for a girl of any age if they know how to use it safely. I would worry more about TSS and making sure one isn’t in too long if it is inconvenient to be changed. I rarely use tampons even to this day because I find them so uncomfortable. I discuss pads with my daughters(we have been talking about periods for years) and will discuss tampons when the time comes.

Re: Question about First periods- possible TMI

There is nothing sinful about tampons, but I would wait for her to be more regular so she has a real flow. I recall my first few were not really enough for a tampon and would think that would be incredibly painful.

Question about First periods- possible TMI

My niece just started her period exactly a year ago. She was 12. She started using tampons in the summer. I see no issues with them using it if they are comfortable.

Question about First periods- possible TMI

i think it all depends. I used pads for the first few months I remember, but I'm a swimmer and by summer I remember my sister helping me with tampons. Once I figured that out, and used them all summer, i never went back.

Re: Question about First periods- possible TMI

Question about First periods- possible TMI

My mom only used pads so that is all she had in the house when I was growing up. I took dance as a kid & found tampons more comfortable with my costumes & when doing performances. Luckily for me I didn’t start my period until I was 14 so I was old enough to purchase what I wanted myself.
All these years later I actually prefer using pads over tampons.
Being someone who was super embarrassed to ask with her mom about this stuff as a kid I think you are on a great track giving your girls information about everything available to them.

Re: Question about First periods- possible TMI

My MIL is precisely worried about them inserting something into their sin-cave Yep, marriage was mentioned

I personally wasn't introduced to tampons until I was about 15 when my friends said, Um, why are you still wearing diapers? So while my friends taught me, I wasn't sure about young girls. I am keeping my fingers crossed that they don't get their period too early.