Dr. Farah Kroman: Yes, tampons can be used from the first period, as soon as the tampon user is comfortable with this. Make sure your daughter reads and understands the instructions and changes the tampons every 3-4 hours, earlier if they fill up or at a maximum of 8 hrs.
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Make sure the tampons are tiny – they make them cigarette sized (but you probably know this.) Give her a mirror and this will help her take aim. You can also put a bit of lube on the tampon and slick it up a bit. This should help as well.
Once a girl begins to menstruate (have periods), she can use tampons. There's no specific age since the time when a girl gets her first period isn't the same for everyone. Tampons come in different sizes and absorbencies (slender to super absorbent).
Your child will probably need to use 3-6 sanitary pads or tampons a day, although it might be fewer on lighter days. In the first couple of days and at night, longer, thicker pads or pads with wings can be good.
Your first period should last anywhere from 2 to 7 days. It may be very light, with just a few spots of brownish blood. Or it may start and end more brownish, but be brighter red on heavier flow days.
Your first few periods may be very light. You may only see a few spots of reddish brown blood. Anywhere from 2 to 7 days is normal. If your period lasts for more than 7 days, you should talk with your doctor.
And since you've asked, I have to tell you—aside from the risk of TSS from tampons—there really is no “healthier” choice. What is important is proper use and comfort. You should change your tampons ever 4-6 hours and pads every 2-4 hours. As for the comfort part, that is really up to you!
When deciding whether to use pads or tampons, it's really up to you. Many girls start out using pads, but might want to use tampons when they do sports or go swimming. Tampons also are easy to store in a purse or pocket. Another advantage to tampons is that they can't be felt because they're inside the body.
Some girls are successful even if they get no help at all. But any help at all can go a long way toward your daughter feeling comfortable with her body, and bravo for trying. Don't forget to tell them how to take the damn thing out! Jill Pond is a seeker, writer, and blurter of truth.
You should change your tampon every four to six hours. The more frequently, the better. Never leave a tampon in for more than eight hours.
Nope. Once you are old enough to start your period, you're old enough to use tampons if you want to.
It's not a good idea to go an entire school day without changing pads, pantiliners, or tampons. No matter how light your flow is, or even if there is no flow, bacteria can build up. Changing your pad every 3 or 4 hours (more if your period is heavy) is good hygiene and helps prevent bad odors.
Tuck your pads or tampons in a small bag before school.
When you need to change, carry the bag or case to the bathroom with you and take it into the stall. That way, you'll have total privacy when you take out your tampon or pad!
A tampon may hurt the first time you try to insert it, but it shouldn't be bad. You shouldn't feel it once it's in, so if there still is pain or discomfort, you may not have inserted it correctly. That's okay, like any new skill it may take practice to get it right.
The second factor is leak protection.
Tampons are more likely to leak than pads because they can't always absorb all the blood flow.
Infections include the rare but serious Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS). It is safe to sleep with a tampon in as long as it's not for more than eight hours. So, if you can keep your night-time snooze to 8 hours or under, then you can wear a tampon overnight.
In most cases you'll be able to tell if you have a retained tampon thanks to a few warning signs. You may notice unusual, foul-smelling vaginal discharge, discomfort, and in some cases even vaginal bleeding.
Most girls start their periods when they're about 12, but they can start as early as 8, so it's important to talk to girls from an early age to make sure they're prepared. Respond to questions or opportunities as they arise and do not be embarrassed.
As a young teen or pre-teen, irregular periods are normal. If a girl is otherwise free of health problems, there's no cause for concern. Many factors can affect menstruation, including the onset of puberty, growth spurts, and others. For example, some girls experience what's called dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB).
Heavy periods aren't normal in teens – and might indicate a serious concern | Pediatrics | Prevention | Women's Health | UT Southwestern Medical Center.