Talking to my daughter about PMS
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Anonymous
| Single father here and asking for advise on products. My daughter is getting to the age where she will experience her first period. I was talking to her about it, about how normal that is, that it’s healthy, to not be scared or feel ashamed etc. It went well. I told her that we will go to the store and buy a bunch of products so that when it does happen, not only are we prepared but she also knows that these products are here. I’ve never bought tampons or pads so my question is - are there products labeled for girls or age or for tweens? Mother is not very active in her life and I refuse to ask her for help. So….crowdsourcing. Please hold the judgement back. |
Anonymous
| And any particular company that I should focus on? |
Anonymous
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No, products are not labeled for teens. Products are based on how heavy the flow is. There are slims, overnights, extra long pads, etc. You should buy a variety of types so she can figure out what brands she likes. She doesn't get the daintiest/smallest ones because she's a teen, because teens can also have heavy periods. She can use pantiliners on lighter days and overnight pads on heavy days.
Here is a guide https://girlshelpinggirlsperiod.org/menstrual-product-guide |
Anonymous
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There are products for teens but it's mostly marketing - fine to get them but they're not really different. Heres what I'd get:
Kotex ultra thin liners; Always long pads (for heavy days / overnight); Tampax small/regular tampon with applicator as applicators are easier for new learners; A pair of period underwear in her size; A pencil case or other bag to carry pads at school; A pocket calendar for tracking her cycle; Flushable wipes for cleaning up (do not actually flush). |
Anonymous
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Does your daughter have books to read about puberty? That can be a good starting point for both of you. My DD is only 9 and likes The Care and Keeping of You from American Girl. There’s info in the section on periods about products but not specific brands. There are likely others books that older girls may like.
Period underwear would be a good choice to have on hand. Knix or Thinx or something like that. For tampons, start with something slim and light absorbency until she gets the hang of it. Tampax is a good brand. And she may not be interested in trying for a while. It can be daunting. Do you have a sister or a cousin your DD is close to that she can talk to about how to use it? For pads, get a couple of styles: maybe light and medium absorbency. She can figure out what fits best and works best based on her flow. She may not even like wearing them. Lastly, it’s ok to ask for help. A girl’s first period is a big deal (as are the changes that come before and after). |
Anonymous
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PMS is pre-menstrual syndrome. Not getting your period.
Women vary widely on whether they have many symptoms (of PMS) and how to relieve them. Some don't have any special symptoms in advance. Be sure to have a stain-remover chemical on hand and communicate using cold water to remove stains. Color-safe Oxi-Clean spray works well. Ivory soap can work. There are also special products. Carbona Stain Devils blood remover is one (sold at Amazon). |
Anonymous
I find hydrogen peroxide works well. Regarding PMS, if you broach the subject with your daughter, please read up on it first and mention the physical symptoms like cramps and bloating. Definitely do not do all the "haha beeyotchy PMS woman" and "crazy emotional PMS woman" stuff (and OP, you sound reasonable and kind so I don't think you would, but do consider any biases you may have picked up over the years, and avoid such "jokes"). |
Anonymous
| Teach her that once she bleeds that those underwear bebible period underwear and she picks them first instead of ruining all her underwear. And buy her a couple new packs of underwear, so she has nice ones left when she needs them. No teen girl wants to be seen with bloody undies during gym class. |
Anonymous
Similar to above, tell her to wear least favorite pj when period in case bleed and cannot get stain out and depending how heavy, may want to use sheets know can more easily remove stain from- makes it less of a big deal if can just wake up and go ugh but not be sad favorite clothes ruined, etc |
Anonymous
This but no pocket calendar. She can do it on her phone. Ibprophen and heating pad for cramps. |
Anonymous
| Just noting, because apparently some men think this, period flow is involuntary and you can't hold it and release it like pee. |
Anonymous
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Tampax Pearl light tampons
Always Infinity Flex foam overnight size 5 unscented Unscented panty liners Midol |
Anonymous
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Always does have a “Teen” pad that my DD liked a lot when she first started, because it fits better into smaller-sized underwear. I used to order them from Amazon sometimes, because stores don’t always carry them.
She found the Hello Flo book to be really helpful for specific, practical advice on dealing with periods and all the paraphernalia, beyond just the basics of puberty. I’d recommend OP read it himself before passing it along, or even look over it together if they’re both comfortable with that. |
Anonymous
This is what I would get, plus some period underwear for overnights |
Anonymous
Hydrogen peroxide is cheap and works great to remove blood stains. |