Need help for my Daughter NOW!!!!

[KSH]

My mother never taught me about tampons.

So, I would sleep sitting up, because my pads would always leak. I would leak through my pads... etc... etc... It was HORRIBLE!

Then, I started swimming around the age of 14/15. I missed a week because of my period. And someone told me about tampons, and how I could swim with one on! WOW! My life was so much better after that.

[go get em]

So racermom, how did the race go?

[ladyjai]

I hated tampons when I was younger. They were extremely painful. I avoided using them at all costs. Now that I'm older, and much more active, I've found ways to deal with them, but I still detest them, but I have ridden in pads before - um.. no thanks!!! owwie owwie...

Though, the shorts camois is a better emergency sopper than I was expecting. Even when it is full , the lycra seems to hold it in, and not leave trails behind you when you sit down


You know.. I'm glad to have a ladies only site! I've embarrassed a couple guy friends with some things I bring up. Sheesh, a gal's gotta talk about stuff.

yesterday after the ride we stopped at another rider's house. A nice lady who is past all this nonsense. She and her - well, I'm not decided, either a roommate, or S.O., drove me and my friend to lunch after an afternoon of fiddling on her computer. However, I was out longer than I was preparred for. We were in 2 cars, and Ann and I stopped at walgreens for an emergency run. apparently they contacted each other by cell phone. Sandy wanted to know what Ann was doing. Mike, my friend, told her it was a feminine products thing. Sandy's reaction was "She's too old for that!!!"

[doc]

Racermom, How did the race go? What did you end up doing? Were you and your daughter satisfied with the result?
I agree with much of what has been said:
The chamois absorbs alot. A first period is likely to be quite light making the chamois enough. Tampons are a perfectly acceptable hygeine product for a girl of 11. I never wore a pad in my life. Started right off with tampons. Then when the knowledgable women of TE introduced the diva to me I switched. Diva would not be a sensible choice for an 11 year old. (at least not for the usual 11 year old.)
Hope it all worked out.

[BIKEAWAY]

As a women with a extreme tipped uterus, tampons have been taboo for me from the begining, the few times i tried I could pop that sucker out in 15 minutes flat...no kidding ..without some kind of pants on, I bet I could shoot that thing out 10 feet.I would move and it just came out..I tried short, long paper, plastic..at 46 years old, i have seen all sorts and everytime just hoping one would work. Even my ob told me she could see where it would not work on me.
Periods are gross period but I have found that if i put the pad right on the bike shorts and they are the ultra thin, it really is not so bad. When I stop to go to a bathroom they pack very nicely in the camelback or the tour pack. I also bring wipes and pooff I feel normal again.
Before I bought bike shorts and I would spin at the gym, I started when I had my period and found that the pading was kinda like the bike shorts..i used the thicker ones for 2 months to see if I really liked the class and the class led to the shorts and shoes and the shorts and shoes led to the bike etc etc.
Just my 2 cents..

[Kimred]

As a Mom of a 5 and 3 year old Daughters and I also Race this is what I would do. I would say yes you should race and nothing should stop you just because you are a girl! Next I would go buy tampon,pads(different Sizes) and different undies with extra padding in the croch area. Of course just her cycling shorts also. I would let her try them all out on the bike of course and let her make her own decision on what feels comfortable because we are all different and we all have different comfort levels. If it's light I think the shorts alone will be fine. The other very important factor is how long is the race/how long will she be on her bike. If it's a short time then your options are better. Give her ALL her options and she will be just fine!

Kim

[eofelis]

I have found that if i put the pad right on the bike shorts and they are the ultra thin, it really is not so bad. When I stop to go to a bathroom they pack very nicely in the camelback or the tour pack. I also bring wipes and pooff I feel normal again.

I don't like tampons. I do what is decribed above and it works well for me.

[cindysue]

littleracersmom - hope you weren't offended by our advice - but we certainly all mean well!

Too late for this race - but for future reference: perphaps you are worried about toxic shock syndrome. If that is the case, my advice is to be sure and tell your daughter it is important to change tampons often (every few hours even though the "OB" box says it is ok to leave in up to 8). Also use the "lowest absorbancy" that is appropriate for her. According to OB: TSS is estimated to occur in 1-17 of every 100,000 menstruating women and girls.

The tampon box insert has a list of FAQ. But do consult your doctor with your concerns if that makes you more comfortable.

[flame]

what about giving your daughter the choice,its her body. ( just make sure she knows how to insert and remove correctly if she chooses tampon)) My daughter started her period at age 11 just before we went on holiday. She chose to use towels then. The year after she chose to use a tampon while we were at at water park (not cycling) and she could not remove it, due to being apprehensive. So traumatic time too. ( I am a midwife/nurse so just helped her) I think this is a very difficult situation for both of you so best of luck