Hey IM's. Our 13yr old daughter has had her period for 18 months. As expected, it is long and heavy and brings with it mood swings and tiredness.
We've planned a family trip to Bali in 10 weeks and unfortunately it will clash with her period, meaning two thirds of our trip she will have her period. What should we do?
We've tried tampons and she hates them. While she has period underwear she is too nervous to try period swimmers. GP says she is too young to use the pill even for just that month (not sure if this was her personal opinion or if it could genuinely effect her as the same GP allows me to use it solely for this reason).
I'm also concerned about hygiene when she needs to change while away from the resort.
What would you do???
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16 Replies
Firstly I'd be thinking about finding a new doctor. Unless there's an underlying medical condition (which nothing in your post indicates that that's the case) there's absolutely no reason a 13 year old shouldn't use the pill if she wishes to, heaps of my friends started using the pill at that age to help regulate their hormones and cycles and many of them were becoming sexually active too.
Frankly, i think it's irresponsible to deny anyone birth control but I'm getting slightly side tracked here.
That issue aside.
You kind of just have to deal. Unfortunately periods are an inconvenient part of life for us gals. Gotta learn to manage!
Just make sure she has access to her period swimmers (which I'm sure will be more appealing once she gets there and wants to swim etc), tampons - maybe try a few different brands and ones with applicators - pads and make sure to carry spare sanitary items, wet wipes, hand sanitiser and even spare undies wherever you go.
There are actually a lot of reasons not to give someone so young the pill! Long term hormonal, depression and fertility reasons! Maybe read up on it a little!
There is a lot of physiological repercussions on starting the pill before periods have settled in, which can take up to 5 years!
Look up Dr Libby Weaver she explains it in lay terms!
Thanks for the comment, I'm the original poster.
I have absolutely no intention of keeping my daughter on the pill at this age, if a GP does approve it, it would only be used to delay her period for this holiday.
Traveling to Bali it isn't just about swimming, it is against their customs for her to enter a temple or any place of worship among other things.
There are medicines you can get as a once off to withhold your period! Find a new GP! I was on the pill from 13 and wasn’t sexually active :)
Toilets in shopping centres and restaurants and cafes are fine I wouldn't stress over hygiene issues. For the pool, she will need to work it out just the same as swimming at home. Encourage her not to let periods stop her - if she likes period knickers she'll probably prefer period swimmers, just to get over the fear. Get her to test it out at home, in the bath or have a shower and lounge around in them and towel off to double check before going public.
Could she use a diva cup?
Fifty times worse than inserting a tampon
Why are they worse than tampons?
A tampon literally just slides on in, the cup you have to manipulate into plus and remove by inserting your fingers inside. Plus they’re absolutely disgusting to use and clean, especially for a teenager.
This is my post and yes, my daughter has said cups are definitely not an option. She's persevering with tampons but really isn't enjoying it.
My Daughter struggled with tampons. Try to get her practice in her heaviest days. Or use some lube to help. I also got Moxie girl tampons as they had a very small size. Good luck with trying to help your daughter
Have you tried applicator tampons, that’s how I started out using them - takes away the ickyness and they are thinner than normal so not as uncomfortable? Probably more hygienic if unable to wash hands properly too
Your GP can offer your daughter the mini pill, it’s not a contraceptive but used for the very reason to reduce the severity and length of your period. Myself and all my sisters were on this from 13 to 18 when we changed over to the full pill. We had all been blessed with lengthy and painful periods
Your GP can offer your daughter the mini pill, it’s not a contraceptive but used for the very reason to reduce the severity and length of your period. Myself and all my sisters were on this from 13 to 18 when we changed over to the full pill. We had all been blessed with lengthy and painful periods
Get a new go I got mine when i was 12 and was put on the pill when I was because they where horrendous
Leave her at home.
Jokes 🤣
Go to Family planning. It’s actually illegal for a GP to prescribe the pill. Some will obviously but not yours.
Temples are boring anyway, and how do they know who is and isn’t menstruating?
Take all the different options of pads, knickers, Tampons, pain relief, heat packs etc
I remember my first time using tampons at the same age, it was stinking hot, we were on holidays at the beach and so mum took me to the chemist to buy tampons. I sat in the ablution block for ages, reading every square inch of the instruction leaflet until I finally took the plunge, literally 😊
Maybe see a naturopath and see if there’s anything she could be taking to help with the hormonal swing. Won’t stop her period. It’s just something us women have to work around, not feel shamed about.