help please! girls/ladies only?!?!?

Question

okay so i got my period a couple months ago..i mainly used pads but right now i have started to swim competitivly and have practice almost everyday and i got my period.

so i want to use a tampon so i wont miss a lot of days of swim team. but my mom is being realy unreasonable about the whole thing. she says that since she never used them and she has no experience she doesnt want me to. its like she thinks i will die or something. its really annoying, and i am mad because waht she says isnt true. how can i make her let me use them!

Answer 1

She's worried about Toxic Shock Syndrome (and you can ensure her that if you use them correctly, there is a very small chance you would get this, i.e. never leave them in too long) OR she's a total prude, like my mom and thinks that using tampons is slutty.

I was on the swim team, too... and I told my mom I wouldn't skip practice because of my period and that I would use tampons. End of story. She agreed, but if I went to the store and bought them myself, how could she stop me?

Answer 2

There are a lot of myths stemming from young girls using tampons. In your mothers day tampons were not as hygenically sold, eg, they were not individually sealed and the box was not sealed as well. These days it is the opposite and very hygenic. You mother has probably read somewhere that a girl who wears tampons causes toxic shock syndrome. Toxic shock syndrome is very rare and can happen with people who are not menstrating as well. It was believed that toxic shock happened more with the high absorbancy tampon, therefore choose a tampon that does not have high absorbancy. If she is concerned about you may lose your virginity, then it doesnt affect that at all. Just choose a tampon that is slim enough to fit you comfortably. What I suggest you do is get on the internet and get some information of tampon use, toxic shock syndrome etc, print it out and show it to your mother. This will ease her fears. If not ask her to come with you to the doctors and have the doctor explain that there is very little risk of anything bad happening while wearing a tampon. You may also assure your mother that you will only wear the tampon while you are competing, and then when you are out of the water you will wear pads again, Maybe you should just ask your mother her reasons for her not allowing you to wear a tampon. She needs to have reasons. She may be your mother but unless she has valid reasons for you not being allowed to wear a tampon then why is she insisting you are not allowed to. You need to get as much information as you can like I suggested and present it to her. Even ring up your local doctor...tell your mother you have done that, only because you want to give her the correct information so that she no longer basis her concerns on old-fashioned ideas.
The only problem you may come across that it may feel uncomfortable for the first time...everything else is old wives tales. There are lots of different sizes and absorbancy rate tampons on the market...so ask your mother to go with you when you purchase them so she can read for herself everything it says on the box. By law they have to tell the consumer exactly what the product is made of. Print out information on tampon use etc, give it to her then ask her to go shopping with you so she can choose the best type of tampon she thinks will be the best. In doing that you are including her in the choice and she may feel ok doing it that way. Give it a try, it cant hurt.

Good luck

Answer 3

When my kids swam competitively there is a short film that the parents of girls were required to watch that discussed the use of tampons for swimming. Hopefully, you have a lady coach that you can ask about it. If not, ask your Mom to talk to some of the other ladies whose daughters swim.

Your Mom has probably heard that tampons can cause problems if left in too long - that is true. But most people do not have any problems with normal use, just don't forget to change them.

Answer 4

Your mom has a good point, because tampons can be dangerous unless you are very careful. show her that you are willing to be responsible and take proper precautions against TSS (toxis shock syndrome). Use tampons that are made of unbleached cotton, and change them frequently. Don't EVER leave one in there for too long, or put two in at once - you'd be amazed how many women do this.

Offer to talk with your doctor or nurse about tampons with your mom present. She will be more reassured if she knows all the facts, and knows that someone with medical expertise has explained everything to you.

Answer 5

Ask her to talk to her ob/gyn, though I'm betting she hasn't been to one in years. If she hasn't suggest you both go for a check up, because you both need one on a yearly basis.

I truly understand what you are going through. I went through the same thing with my adoptive mother as a teen. She stated she would not use her money to buy them, I used money I had from my allowance. She was mad and didn't speak to me for a month, but I was comfortable and didn't suffer the back pains and discomfort that I had from using the pads.

Otherwise talk to a school counselor, trusted teacher or another adult female relative. They may help your mom understand that a few things have changed and what was good for her, may not necessarily be best for you. By the way, don't try what I did, it really was ugly for quite awhile.

Answer 6

In my opinion i use tampons all the time i feel like they are way easier to use then having to wear a pad. But that's only me.

So, all you have to do is just start using them and explain to your mom that you really want to swim but it can't do it using a pad.

because if you swim with a pad it's like a baby swimming in a diaper. not to good.

So, my sister just got her period last month and she used tampons on the same day.

Answer 7

If she is that concerned have her call her/your doctor. The doctor will tell her that it is completely safe. If she won't call the doctor then go onto the internet, especially to Tampax.com and it answers all your questions. I think she's just worried since she doesn't know much about them. When your a mother, you'll look back and know exactly what she is going through right now. Have her check out the website or you do it and print everything out and have her read it. Best of Luck!

Answer 8

Why don't you speak with the school nurse or your swim coach (if the coach is a woman) and ask if one of them will call her and let her know the safety and convenience of tampons. It might be easier for your mom to accept if it's coming from another adult. If there is no female teacher/counselor at school, maybe an aunt, or close friend of the family who is familiar with tampons?

You could also direct her to this website, to learn more about the safety of tampons.

http://www.obtampons.com/know_01.shtml

Answer 9

your mother is not being fair. what is good for her is for her. ask her for support, that's very important to you. does she support your swimming? she needs to open up for your needs with this issue. there are health issues but try to tell her you can just use them for swimming for starts. maybe when you both learn the proper way to use them, she'll realize that things are not really that bad about it.
if for any reason you do use them and start to feel sick, stop and use the pads until a doctor can clear up the problem and ok you to use them again.

Answer 10

it is what you want and what will feel better to you. It is sanitary to use tampons. Tell your Mom how you feel.Tell her it is embarrassing to wear pads while swimming .
Good Luck