whats a good age to start using tampons?

Question

my 13 yr old sis asked me if she was old enough to use a tampon. she told our mom who said not to use a tampon before sex, but i know you can use a tampon before sex. i know everthing ther is to know, but im not sure shes ready

Answer 1

The only way age could have anything to do with it would be if your sister menstruated before she went through a major puberty growth spurt. If she has a short cervix she may find some discomfort using larger sized tampons, also she should know the risks of Toxic Shock Syndrome and the risk of bleached cotton leaching into the sensitive skin of her vagina. I would recommend using tampons only when you really need them like swimming or that sort of thing.
Just because something is ubiquitous doesn't mean it's the right thing to do. I used to wear tampons all the time, literally, I would sleep in them, during my period. But as I grew and became more aware of my own body I realized that every time I wore a tampon I was much more dehydrated than when I was wearing a pad. I think the cotton was absorbing moisture from my body that I deperately needed. I used to associate this dehydrated feeling with just being bloated from my period.
Since I had a baby, I actually get nauseas when I wear a tampon for more than 2 hours.
I don't think tampons should be the answer all for dealing with periods but they do have their uses.
-- Regarding what your mom said, I'm glad you have the sense not to believe her.

Answer 2

13-years-old is not too young to use tampons, however it has to be remembered that tampons are very bad for vaginal health.

As tampons are absorbent they prevent the vagina cleaning itself by pushing out dirt with discharge, in absorbing that discharge it also means the vagina can get dried out that causes vaginal splitting. Tampons are pores so they give the bacteria naturally present in the vagina the perfect place to multiply that can cause infections.
Commercial tampons, such as Tampax, also contain bleach and chemicals that are not only bad for the body but they can affect vaginal pH, this in turn can cause the 'bad' bacteria to take over from the 'good' bacteria that can cause infections and contribute to TSS.

At 13-years-old it is far better to use external options such as Commercial pads, Organic pads, Cloth pads, Homemade pads, Padded panties, or other options such as Free-flow methods, then use internal options when they get a bit older – safer options such as Menstrual cups or Softcups.

You can learn more about tampon risks at Spot - http://www.spotsite.org and Ruth's Endo pages - http://www.frontiernet.net/%7Eruthb/Tampons.html

Sorry to be a little bit disrespectful, but if you knew everything there is to know you wouldn't want your sister to use tampons, no educated woman uses tampons because simply the risks are too high and the other issues are far too great [i.e. social, environmental, cost, convenience, history, politics].

Answer 3

There's no certain age and it's ok before sex. I started using them when i was 13. It all depends on what she likes best. I think tampons are more comfortable because they dont feel like diapers and they're not as messy. If she is comfortable with them, maybe they're best for her. But if your mom doesnt want her to use them, she should listen to her also. She knows whats best.

Answer 4

Since when did tampons and sex come together?? A Tampon is for a women on her monthly cycle it has nothing to do with sex at any rate at 13 i think she's plenty old enough they make tampons specially designed for teens..

Answer 5

The time will come when your sister is comfortable with the tampon idea. It has nothing to do with sex or being a virgin. That is a very old fashioned idea.

Answer 6

I Think she should be comfortable with her menstural cycle tampons are normal and if she thinks tampon are more comfortable then she should be able to use them

Answer 7

I started at 12 and theres nothing wrong with that I think it's an ok age to start at

Answer 8

i started using tampons at 13.... their alot better that maxis and u don't have to be a certain age to use them... u shuld just make a target runnn and buy her some.....

Answer 9

i started out with tampons.........i say 15

Answer 10

it really depends on your flow.
as long as she knows how her flow is and about when her period starts then of course she is ready. and changing them, but you change pads so it isn't much different