Talking to my daughter about PMS

[Anonymous]

I would get a waterproof mattress cover in case her flow is heavy and blood gets on her mattress. This avoids staining the mattress.

For heavier flow, pads with wings work better than regular pads.

[Anonymous]

You are a good dad!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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).

Hydrogen peroxide is cheap and works great to remove blood stains.

What DD uses as well. Also make sure she knows to put the peroxide on before adding water, and that the sooner she does it (before the stain dries), the easier it would be to get it off. Generally speaking though, pantiliners can save a lot of trouble.

[Anonymous]

It's okay to stick with pads until your DD is comfortable with putting in tampons herself or if she is highly motivated to use them.

I very rarely use tampons. Same with my DD.

[Anonymous]

I'm sure this is something that OP would be too uncomfortable to mention but in families that really practice "open and no shame" conversations about all sorts of topics, a mom might inform her daughter that self/solo pleasure is a wonderful way to deal with cramps, especially in the bath or shower. I've also read of moms going so far as to install a nice hand held massage showerhead in their daughter's bathroom.

[Anonymous]

With tampons you need to remember to change them every 4 hours. I would wait and start with pads.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Does your daughter have any female relative or family friend to talk to? As a male it is difficult for you to understand that they can be painful and embarrassing. Telling her it won't be doesn't make it so. Since you will never experience it please just listen whem she is uncomfortable. Buy chocolate too!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure this is something that OP would be too uncomfortable to mention but in families that really practice "open and no shame" conversations about all sorts of topics, a mom might inform her daughter that self/solo pleasure is a wonderful way to deal with cramps, especially in the bath or shower. I've also read of moms going so far as to install a nice hand held massage showerhead in their daughter's bathroom.

Yikes.. as a woman I have not experienced this 'self pleasure' during cramps. I would have been motified if any adult suggested it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yikes.. as a woman I have not experienced this 'self pleasure' during cramps. I would have been motified if any adult suggested it.

You're missing out on one of the sisterhoodsl's best (not kept) secrets! Showerheads and tub faucets can be magical on any day but especially on *those* days of the month.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yikes.. as a woman I have not experienced this 'self pleasure' during cramps. I would have been motified if any adult suggested it.

You're missing out on one of the sisterhoodsl's best (not kept) secrets! Showerheads and tub faucets can be magical on any day but especially on *those* days of the month.

No thanks! I am happy without.

[Anonymous]

When DD got her period we bought a variety of pads, liners and tampons. It was really trial by error to figure out what she likes.

I recommend an open conversation about tampons. My mother shamed me about them and to this day I struggle to use them. There is a time and place for them. My daughter is very involved in her sport and I did not want her feeling uncomfortable using a pad while playing. I encouraged my daughter to use what works best for her based on the situation.

[Anonymous]

Also be aware that early cycles can be very irregular for a while. They can last a long time, come at shorter intervals, be heavy or be the opposite of all of the above. It takes a while, sometimes 1-2 years to even out.

[Anonymous]

Not everyone gets PMS, FYI. I get horrific cramps like once a year, if that. Sometimes I'll go three or four years without getting any. You may want to sign your DD up for a period subscription box - it will send several different brands of tampons, pads, liners, etc. That way you don't have to buy an entire pack of one type just for her to use one and find out it doesn't work. I got a subscription box for three months so DD could try everything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

PMS is often not a thing, so don’t make it one.
Periods aren’t supposed to be bad or painful or total PITAs either. They’re manageable. There are products. NBD. If they are unmanageable or painful see a doctor.

[Anonymous]

And there are easy fixes for that. Like the BC pill for less cramping and flow.