Tampons!!! - Temecula,CA

My mom was the same way. Actually worse, she said I couldn't use tampons because I wouldn't be a virgin anymore, yikes!! I just bought them myself and never really discussed it with her again.

Thing is she isn't listening to you so there isn't much you can say that will persuade her.

I am a completely laid back mom but if my daughters told me it was their choice I would make me mad. Granted it was a choice I let them make so they wouldn't but my point is there isn't a mom on earth that would take that line, or any variation, well.

I think you also need to do some actual research on tampons and a condition they can cause called Toxic Shock Syndrome, it's not fun. My doctor told me that I was more vulerable due to my young age and suggested I wait until I was in my 20's to try them again.

It is very unforuntate that some moms are opposed to tampons. I was lucky enough for my mom to give me both right off the bat and to let me choose which worked better for me. The girls at my school who used maxi pads always SMELLED like they were on their periods. It was so obvious that even the boys in our school would make comments about it.

Do you have any friends who use tampons that would give you a few to see if you like them? At least then you'd be able to tell your mom that you prefer one over the other.

ETA: Ladies, put down the Troll Radar for a moment. If you click on each of the questions that she answered you can clearly see that ALL of them were answered recently. She was answering OLD questions now.

Our daughter was in 5th grade when she started her period. She used pads the first month.. then the second, she told me she was willing to try the tampons..

No problems for her, you do not lose your virginity.

Ask if you can go to the doctor for a check up and speak with your doctor.

Funny in college our daughter ended up teaching quite a few girls how to use tampons, because their mothers also did not "allow" their daughters to use Tampons.. Most of their moms, told them they could only use them once they were married.. Good Grief..

Can you purchase them yourself?

She didn't answer the 2008 and 2009 questions back then, you can clearly she she answered with a current date. She searched for like questions before writing her own question.

She has not been pretending to be 14 for 5 years. Look at when the op asked and when she answered.

How long until your next doctor's appoint for an annual check up? I'd bring your doctor into the discussion. Maybe if she's knows you have all the info on how often to change them and how careful to be, she'll relax. I agree that you should be able to use them if you want. Pads can be limiting.

Ladies - if you look at the questions she answered, she ANSWERED them THIS WEEK. The QUESTIONS are old - she searched them to read the answers.

K. - I think maybe talking to your school nurse about this would be helpful for you. My mother didn't teach me about tampons, my older sister did. I don't remember how I stored them or if my mom cared. I don't want you to get in trouble for having them at home. If you can keep them in your locker at school and use them there, then compromise at home, that may be the solution for now. I don't know if the girls locker rooms have tampons you can purchase for a quarter; perhaps that is an option.

Here's what you do. This is what I did, so I'm giving you the benefit of my own experience. Tell your mom that this means the world to you. Tell her that if she will let you use tampons, you will go to the gynecologist and be examined. The gyn will show you how to insert them and make sure you are normal. And the doctor willl tell your mom that it's okay for you to use tampons.

You may need to also give her a concession. Taking on an extra job in the house, something like that. You mentioned her doing research - that's for YOU to do - not for her. If you want her to change her mind, then help her change her mind.

Good luck!

Dawn

Hi K.,
I came from a very conservative Catholic family. My mother didn't want me using tampons when I got my period, either. Why don't you have your mom schedule a gynecological appt. for you and you both go in and discuss the matter with the doctor? That's what it took for my mom to understand that it was indeed ok for a teenager to use tampons.

I agree with you 100% that pads are unsanitary and IMO, gross. I use them at the very tail end of my period, when the flow has tapered down so that it would not be wise to use a tampon. There are tampons made for teenage girls now, they are slimmer and very easy to use.

Good luck.

So you have tried tampons? I used pads for 2 months and then never again! They are exactly as you describe. Make a deal with your mom and promise not to use the overnight. I did that was a very long time when I was younger and everything was fine.

It is your choice. You don't tell her, you just make the decision.

To be clear, I don't think that it would be ok to sneak out for a date if your mom said no, or get a piercing she wouldn't allow, but this is different.

Buy some tampons and give them a try.

First of all - Kari F - she didn't ANSWER this question in 2008. She answered it a couple of days ago. The question was ASKED in 2008. She just stumbled upon it rather late in the game. Give a young girl a break. I think you owe her an apology.

This is a really good article - read it and share it with your mom - maybe it will help: http://healthyliving.msn.com/health-wellness/women/tampon...

The article mentions silicone cups, which is what I use - perhaps you may like them better, or your mother may be more in favor - read more here: http://softcup.com/teens/feminine-hygiene-guide

Good luck.

I would get the school nurse's advice or your pediatrician. If she already trusts the pediatrician, then you have a Voice of Reason she is comfortable with. Go to a website for Kotex or Playtex (brands my SD likes) and get that information and take it to the doctor's office to discuss with the doctor and your mom. If your doctor has email, email him/her in advance. In our HMO, adults cannot see teen's communications with their doctor unless the teen provides permission.

If she doesn't let you use them and you are unable to get them on your own, then you are in a tight spot. At the very least, you should weigh in on what kind of products you use (you may still need pads overnight - one of my friends in college had such a strong flow she needed to double up) and you should consider Always Infinity, IMO.

I never told my mom I used them, I borrowed them from my sister. If you don't have access, buy them yourself. Use the platex gentle glide, I started using them younger than you...no problem.

Hi Sweetie,

Ok, so you want to wear tampons. I think that tampons are more for young girls or ladies that are currently sexual active. But, I have heard that there are girls that wear them without having sex. I think you should simply do some research on the subject and print out the information. Make sure you have factual information. Make a cute little folder saying my proposal and give it to your mom and see if she would reconsider. I know pads are bad, but you have to be extra careful with tampons. The Toxic Shock Syndrome is something you should also research and know the risk. Make sure all of this is in your little folder so that you mom knows you have weighed all the options and risks. See what she says then.

Good Luck Sweatheart!

If you have money of your own, just buy yourself a box of tampons. My daughter started using them almost from her first period.

Um, you answered a question about this very topic and said you were 14 in July of 2008. In fact looking over your profile you seem very interested in girls and tampons, having spent the last FIVE years answering questions only on that subject.

Kinda creepy don't you think?

I hate to tell a child to go behind a parent's back, ever. So I won't do that. But, if a friend happens to offer you a tampon to try, you may look into buying your own supply when you can. It took me many tries before I figured out how to use them, but some girls figure it out pretty quickly. I don't know how old I was, but not much older than you (but I got my period at 10, so I lived through many years of inch thick pads you wore on a belt...).

K.,

I have used both tampons and pads and everybody is different and has different preferences. Myself I prefer pads since the tampons sometime feels unconfortable.

I am also a mom of a 7 year old and when the time comes I will let her try both and make the decision herself. However I will be very upset if she does anything behind my back or lies to me.

I think you should approach your mom with kindness and love and ask her why she does not let you use tampons and what are the reasons behind her decision.

For younger girls tampons can pose a risk and I am sure your mom wants the best for you and to keep you safe.

I know what is like to having an overprotective mom and that sometimes suck....but just think that her intentions are good and she is always looking out for you.

I like the idea of talking to your dr since they are prepared to give you the best answer that will fit you.

Also in the meantime you can explore with different brands of pads, some are longer than others, some are thinner than others, I also use for the last days were I have a lighter period the daily protectors. Another key issue is to change them very often so you don't feel yucky.

Good luck!

I agree with the advice Heather and LeeLee gave you. See your gynecologist (with your mom), discuss the pros and cons, how to use tampons properly (so you don't put yourself at risk for TSS), and any others concerns you and your mom have. I started using them at age 14 and never went back to pads. I think your mom is from the generation that was taught that tampons shouldn't be used until you were older, but attitudes have changed, and so have tampons - so many more choices today. I think you and your doctor can update your mom's attitudes.

Tampons are dangerous, I would ask your mom if she would buy you a Diva Cup instead.

I got my period when I was 12. I used pads once (this was back in the 70's when they were not as thin and comfortable as they are now). I then found Tampons in my mother's drawer and used them. They were awesome! They made me feel so much better and cleaner - especially during gym class and at the beach. My mother never told me not to use them. This is a hard time for a teenage girls (my niece hates the pads too but she is afraid to use the tampons - she is 13 and I'm begging her to try them since I know she will like them better) and the tampons make you feel cleaner and more protected. I always used them with a panty liner just in case. The Tampons with the plastic applicators are very easy to use. They come in smaller and bigger sizes depending on what you need. I don't really understand why your mom is strict about this but you have to explain to her best you can that you feel Tampons are best for you. And if you don't like them or they cause problems you can go back to pads. Good luck. Hope this helps.

Unfortunately if your mom is bent on tampons being bad for you because she has some hang up about sticking stuff in you then I don't think you can convince her. Try doing your research and presenting it to her. If she is still against it then just try it yourself.

As a side note, I'm in my 30s and I've always used pads. It's funny because today was the first time I tried tampons... tried the first one and it felt uncomfortable, pulled it out... second one I read on the internet how to put it in and just as I did, it popped out and into the toilet... third one... went in, couldn't push in the applicator... grrrrr, gave up and used a pad. I was just about to ask here how the heck people use those things!?

You answered questions on this site in 2008. We can see your history. Stop lying!