Tampons or Pads

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2003
Tampons or Pads
9
Mon, 06-26-2006 - 2:23pm

Question for all you out there...

DD15 has just started her period (yes, later than most). The question is whether she should use tampons or pads. She is not the most responsible person when it comes to personal hygiene. Not that she doesn't take showers...she'll live in the shower if you let her. But other things seem to be more important, especially if she's in a hurry. So we have to keep reminding her stuff like "Did you brush your teeth" (most likely not). And stuff she hates doing just doesn't get done (shaving her legs which sometimes look like a forest, although she's better about doing that in the summer than in the winter).

So, my thought is that with the possibility of toxic shock syndrome using a tampon, it might just be best to buy her the pads until she can show some sort of sign that the hygiene stuff takes more of a priority.

What do you all think?

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-07-2005
In reply to: brba
Mon, 06-26-2006 - 3:06pm

I don't think tss is too pervasive anymore. I was just reading something about this a few months ago, but I can't remember where right this minute. But I will check into it, and if I find anything out, I'll get right back to ya.

Have you heard of any new cases or current news on this?

zz

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-06-2006
In reply to: brba
Mon, 06-26-2006 - 3:23pm

My DD only ever tried tampons once, and she has such a heavy flow that she soaked it in about an hour! Quite frankly, she didn't find it all that comfortable, either.

I don't know that tss is still an issue with tampon-wearers, but if with your DD, if she's not too inclined to change it very often, she'll be leaking and spotting. And we all know how embarassing that is!

Not that leaks don't happen with pads (my DD is living proof that they do) but it is much harder to ignore a pad and just for that reason, I think I'd have her stick to pads for a while.

 

 

 

Avatar for elc11
Community Leader
Registered: 06-16-1998
In reply to: brba
Mon, 06-26-2006 - 3:26pm

As I recall the greatest danger for TSS was using a highly absorbent tampon when the flow was light. The tampon would absorb all of the moisture in the vagina and stick to the walls, and when it was removed it would cause tears which increased the risk for infection. There is still the concern about leaving a tampon in for too long, I believe they should be removed within 8 hrs at the most.

If your dd prefers tampons (allows her to go swimming etc) you could allow her to only use one with a lower absorbency. She could use a pad for extra protection if necessary. And insist that she use only pads for overnight. With most girls/women, after a couple of "leaks" from forgetting to change it, we remember to remember!

My dd also was not that great about personal hygiene in some areas. She seemed to do okay with changing the tampons. Wrapping them up properly when putting them in the bathroom wastebasket was the problem...gross! (she was just as lax with pads) Sometimes having a brother will help with that where mom's words fall on deaf ears--if he yells at her enough about how disgusting it is, or worse, that his friends will see it, she may do better! Good luck!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-18-2005
In reply to: brba
Mon, 06-26-2006 - 4:58pm

My DD(almost 15) uses pads. This is her choice. I think she finds tampons scary. I've tried a couple of times to see if she wants to switch, because it's neater and you can swim, etc. She's not interested.

It's funny, because I think the pads are grosser - dirtier - and I love using tampons. But DD has her own ideas.

Sue

Avatar for momtolizabeth
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-02-2003
In reply to: brba
Mon, 06-26-2006 - 5:28pm

Personally, I think the decision as to pads or tampons should be made by your daughter.

I would even consider tampons to be better for a hygenically(sp?) challenged teen.

In my opinion, tampons smell less than pads and are harder to ignore when they require changing.

Either way, imo, your job is to educate her about both options (don't use a higher absorbency than necessary, etc.) - and then leave the choice up to her.

jmho, good luck finding what works for you guys!

~Becca

Avatar for heartsandroses2002
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: brba
Mon, 06-26-2006 - 6:25pm

Being as she isn't that experienced in the ways of womanhood, why not let her choose? Offer both as an option and see whatever she feels comfortable with.

TSS is something you should discuss, in fact, the boxes have an insert with information on TSS and your BOTH should read it so there are no misconceptions about how it is caused.

Both my dd's have always used tampons - it just makes thier lives easier. I prefer to only use them during the day when I'm busy. At night I use a pad and that works for me. My older dd does the same. And my 16dd has never had any problems and she has hygiene issues like your dd. She is clean, but we often have to remind her of things like brushing her teeth and, "uh, it's been a few days since your last shower, sweetie".

In time, she will 'get it' and get with the program, but for this, I think ultimately it should be her choice. Not yours.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-05-2006
In reply to: brba
Mon, 06-26-2006 - 6:48pm
My DSD 14 has voiced to me that she wants to wear pads for a while longer. I, myself can't stand wearing pads (I think that they are disgusting).
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-29-2006
In reply to: brba
Thu, 06-29-2006 - 4:03pm

Well, i AM 15. (Ive gotten a few comments about being a bit young to be giving advise, you know, too young to be wise or anything... but I think I know alot about teenagers.)

In my poinion, I think you should do what my mom did: buy her both pads and tampons. She'll chose on her own what she wants to use. And on the subject of TSS: although its a very serious disease, it's a very rare disease as well. The symptoms are very obvious, such as a very high fever, nausea, and dizziness. I think if she has those symptoms she'll say something to you anyway, but the chances are so slim in the first place.

And I havent used pads in a very, very long time because as MANY of you said, they're DISCUSTING. But at first I used pads because to be honest, tampons were kind of scary and when I tried them, very uncomfortable. She'll decide what she likes better, and use what she feels more comfortable with.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-16-1999
In reply to: brba
Thu, 06-29-2006 - 8:15pm

My DD 15 got her first period when she was 12, and has never used a pad.