Uh Oh! Period! (i need more help!)?

Question

I am 12 and i started my period just yesterday. I use pads not tampons and i perfure help from girls on yahoo not boys (sorry nervouse) any ways. I have not used tampons yet but when i do, while i am having my period, should i put it in while bleeding, or wait till period is over? Or another way? what should i do? If you helped me before please come back again becuase i keep on adding to this! Thanks!

Exuse me, i am only 12 and please dont say I am an amature, or I am asking compleat strangers about "sex" really I am not talking about that. Please dont be pushy, I just started and I am kind of new at this. My mom is at work and it is only a few questions. Please be a little nicer!

Also please, please, your making me feel bad and I just wanted to know if you put it in when your bleeding. I just started! I dont know things and really, i didnt know that you do put it in while bleeding, please (i am begging) dont say DUH or Well hello you do, or anything mean! I am just asking one little favore! thanks hope people understand!

Answer 1

CONGRATULATIONS!

Have you done anything to celebrate? - perfect time to convince your parents to buy you something nice or let you have something you've been wanting for a while to celebrate becoming a woman ;o)

DO NOT put tampons in when not on your period!
TAMPONS ARE VERY BAD FOR VAGINAL HEALTH
Tampons are not good no matter when you insert them, but when you are young your risks are increased and putting them in when not bleeding puts you at unnecessary risk and increases risk of vaginal splitting.

You need to be able to make an educated choice on what menstrual options you use, commercial tampons are the most harmful out over twenty different options, so please before deciding you want to use a tampon learn about tampons, your body and different options open to you – if you do you will not be so keen to want to use tampons I assure you! Most girls only want to use tampons because they think it makes them seem mature, which is not the case at all, many girls also simply don't realise that there are more options than just tampons and pads.

I would HIGHLY recommend you use pads or free-flow methods; in particular you may want to look at cloth pads, organic pads or padded panties as they are more comfortable, cheaper, greener and healthier than commercial pads. Change pads every 4-6 hours, if you need to change more often then use a pad with higher absorbency.
When you are older and better educated about your body and options you might want to look into menstrual cups or softcups, as these are internal like tampons but can be left in for 12 hours, worn for swimming, overnight and before your period is due, they are a lot safer, cleaner, cheaper, greener and more convenient than tampons or sponges.

***Menstrual options***

Commercial tampons – e.g. Tampax
Organic tampons – e.g. Natracare
Sponge tampons – e.g. Jade & Pearl
Soft tampons – e.g. Gynotex
Homemade tampons
Padettes
Commercial pads – e.g. Always
Organic pads – e.g. Organic Essentials
Cloth pads – e.g. Gladrags
Pad belts – e.g. Ready's
Homemade pads
Padded panties – e.g. Lunapanties
Period blankets
Silicone bell-shaped menstrual cups – e.g. Divacup
Rubber bell-shaped menstrual cups – e.g. Keeper
Softcups – e.g. Instead
Diaphragms used as menstrual cups
Homemade menstrual cups
Free-flow
Free-flow layering
Free-flow instinctive
Extraction

***Tampon dangers***

Risks from tampons are increased when you are young because your body does not have the same antibodies to deal with infections or TSS if they are brought on by tampon use. Your mucosa ('skin' within the vagina) is not as resilient as with adult women as you're still developing, that means it will be more prone to irritation and vaginal splitting. Tampons can increase menstrual flow due to their negative affect on your vaginal health.

Your vagina is self-cleaning, this means that your vagina produces discharge to help wash out dirt and excess bacteria, tampons plug the vagina so prevent cleaning. Tampons absorb discharge, as well as self-cleaning functions vaginal fluids also help protect the delicate mucosa (like skin, but without protective top layer) of the vaginal walls, without these fluids the vaginal walls split. Tampons are the perfect environment for bacteria to multiply within the vagina, without the natural self-cleaning of the vagina this bacteria stays within the vagina, thus why leaving a tampon in for a long time will increase risks. Tampons also then leave fibres within the vagina allowing bacteria to remain to multiply further even when the tampon has been removed. Commercial tampons are made from synthetic materials that increase bacterial growth and contain unnecessarily chemicals that are harmful to general health and can affect normal vaginal pH, this in turn affects can lead to vaginal infections.

Remember you should choose the lightest absorbency tampons you can get for any given time of your period, remembering too your menstrual flow changes throughout your period. Use organic or sponge tampons rather than commercial tampons to minimise risk. Change every 4-6 hours, if you find the tampon is still white after 4 hours then you need to use a lighter absorbency tampon or switch to another option if you are already using the lowest absorbency available. Do not wear tampons unless you are bleeding and do not wear tampons when you go to bed.

If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me from my profile and I'll try my best to help you – good luck :o)

Answer 2

Yes, you can put it in while you are bleeding still.

You should only wear tampons NO LONGER than 6 hours. Please make sure to read the directions and warnings on/in the box before using it for the first time! DON'T wear one all day. Like I said change it every 6 hours.

If you are bleeding heavily you will be changing your tampon more often than that. With a tampon, you will be able to tell if you are having a heavy or light flow by how much blood is on the tampon. If you remove it and it is full with blood, wear the next one a shorter time (for example, instead of 6 hours, change it every 4 hours). If its hardly having any blood, you might as well just use a light days pad instead of an uncomfortable tampon.

Just always wash your hands before you reach down there to pull out the string, then wash after you insert the new tampon.

I also suggest you talk to your mom about it, she's the best person to go to about this.

Answer 3

Well, like everyone has basically said, the tampon box comes with direction in case you feel uncomfortable asking ur mother to show you how it is done. Yes there are risks when using tampon applications, whether u leave it on for to long or not.

Being that u just started ur menstruation cycle u should wait a little while, because at the beginning its not the set 28 or 30 day cycle, there may be at times when u can skip months which is normal but may lead to a heavy flow for the next time that you get it.

And the thing about the hymen and you being young is irrelevant to the question, first of all the hymen can be broken through various excercise, like running, gymnastics, so just because ur hymen is not intact doesnt mean ur not a virgin, virginity deals with sexual intercourse not tampons. and the issue about being young and that you may be to small for the tampon doesnt matter because the vagina stretches.

oh and another thing if you do decide to begin the usage of tampons, rember to use the appropriate ones according the flow, u have for light, medium and super flow. so choose wisely if not it may lead to some leaking or some discomfort when taking it off.

heres another tip, a good way to check if it is time remove the tampon for another is by slightly pulling on the string, if you feel it move down easily then it means that it has absobed as much blood possible and it its time to be changed, but now if you dont feel it move then leave it, it is still dry or somewhat, removing a tampon at that stage(dry) may lead to some discomfort. in any case if ur not sure use some pantie liners

anyways i hope this helps you out

Answer 4

A tampon is inserted and used only when you are actually having your period. It should be changed at least every 4 hours, and should never be left in for much longer than that. In your case, you might find tampons a little uncomfortable because you are still young and still growing. You would want to get a slender size, and practice with a few until you get it placed correctly. If a tampon is in correctly, you should not feel it at all. If you are just physically too small yet, or if you are a virgin with an intact hymen, you may not be able to wear one at all. You won't know until you try, though. I suggest you ask your mother or another trusted female who is actually there with you to help you on this. It isn't something you can guide somebody through on the web. You will be very nervous the first time you try to insert one, and that will make it difficult. The package has an insert paper that can help guide you through it, but it usually takes a few tries to get it right. I have a daughter your age, and she can't wear them yet. We bought Tampax slenders, but she is just a bit small yet. My older daughter was almost 15 before she found them comfortable. In the meantime, they do have very thin super pads that are more comfortable to wear, and not noticeable under your clothing. As yuck as this all seems right now, you will get used to it, and it will become as much a part of you as your nose is. In the meantime, please talk to your mom or another woman to get the information you need and help you want. They really are the best ones to help you.

Answer 5

you should really talk to your mom about this. You only wear a tampon while actually "bleeding" during your regular period cycle. You do not wait until the period is over because then you do not need them anymore. You just insert them anytime after you start your period for the month. Remember to change them every 4 hours or earlier if needed. And always remember to remove the one you have in before putting in another.

But I still say you need to talk to your mom.

Answer 6

Yes, you put the tampon in while it's bleeding: the whole point of the tampon is to absorb the ..err..excretions. You leave it in for about four hours and then pull it out by the string (you leave that dangling out) and then insert a new one.

Read the directions on a box for more details, and make sure you know EXACTLY where to put it, if you have even the slightest doubt, I would advise using a pad: it can be a bit messier, but in the end its safer.

..good luck :)

Answer 7

Listen to me, you don't sound as though you are ready to be using tampons if you have to ask whether it goes in while bleeding or after. Take my advice... Stick to pads for a few years until you feel totally comfortable with a tampon. It's not a rush thing, who cares what others thing, what matters is what your body is ready for. Besides, VERY IMPORTANT... With tampons, you HAVE to change them every 8hrs or else you'll get TSS (toxic shock syndrome) Don't want to scare you, but its a rather serious thing. If you want to experiment with a tampon, go right ahead, nobody will stop you. Be sure to read the instruction pamphlet that comes along in the box, it will show you step by step in picture form how to insert them. Remember, NEVER flush the plastic applicator, but the tampon itself can be flushed. Remember, only you know when you are ready. I have found a site for you to better explain. Good luck sweetie, and remember, your period shouldnt be a big scarey thing, besides, you'll have it till your mid 40s hehe. Take care :)

Answer 8

hi, don't feel bad. i'm twelve and i started my period yesterday too!! and just stick with pads for a while, then switch to tampons, but i feel them kinda uncomfertable. and i guess you can tell from the previous answers, you put a tampon in while it's bleeding. when your mom comes back, ask her about it, shes been through it all, even if you're not comfertable talking to her. and when you get cramps, take pain killers and use heating pads. don't worry, you're not alone.

Answer 9

What function does a tampon have in a vagina that's not bleeding?

If you just started, I would stick with the pads. You probably haven't discovered where the blood comes from and being 12, it'll be a little hard to locate where to put them in.
Wait a few months, ask your mom and then you're set.

But don't run the risk of ripping your hymen/injuring yourself or your bladder [it has happened].

Answer 10

tampons are only used when bleeding/ never use a tampon when your not. right now you are a little too young and experienced to try tampons you need to learn your flow and cycle length first. sweetie i know your embarrassed but please go and talk to your mom she is the best source you have. she has a period every month too. she can better equip you to handle this. my mom was the only person i wanted when i finally started

Answer 11

you can use tampons as soon as you start your period. you need to change it every 4-6 hours, or there abouts. there are larger ones you can wear overnight. there are little directions to follow, but you might want to use a mirror so you can see what you are doing the first few times. you will know when it is in correctly because you won't be able to feel it anymore. also, use the applicator ones, even if you want to change to non-applicator later on. they are easier to use when you are first starting.

btw, congrats on getting your period. it's exciting!