Are there Tampons made for teens?!
Question: I am 15 16 in 4 wks and I have been using pads since I was 11, but I have to deal with periods when I am at school and I get embarrased because the smell gets out and thank God no one notices but I have to leave immediately to change before someone does notice and I feel that using a tampon would be easier because they don't smell like pads do, and they are easier to use (I've been told this from teens my age who uses them) my mom won't let me use them because yes of course the TSS but I feel as though if there were tampons made especially for teens she might feel somewhat at ease with letting me use them. I hear playtex is made for teens, but I don't know. Does anyone know if there are tampons made for teens? If so what are they called and where can I buy them?
Answers: I am 15 16 in 4 wks and I have been using pads since I was 11, but I have to deal with periods when I am at school and I get embarrased because the smell gets out and thank God no one notices but I have to leave immediately to change before someone does notice and I feel that using a tampon would be easier because they don't smell like pads do, and they are easier to use (I've been told this from teens my age who uses them) my mom won't let me use them because yes of course the TSS but I feel as though if there were tampons made especially for teens she might feel somewhat at ease with letting me use them. I hear playtex is made for teens, but I don't know. Does anyone know if there are tampons made for teens? If so what are they called and where can I buy them?
You are at higher risk of tampon-related health problems in your teens - whether you use tampons made for teens or adults.
There are tampons made for teens but it is highly recommended you don't use tampons in your teens, best to avoid at any point of your life, because of the risks of tampons that are increased when you are in your teens.
Companies manufacturer junior tampons for teens as a way to get teens to start buying their products and increase what is called 'brand loyalty' - in otherwords if you use their brand in your teens you are likely to stick to that brand for the rest of your life - they are no different to normal tampons so the risks are exactly the same.
You'll find most brands don't do these teen tampons any more because too many complained about them marketing such harmful products to children and teens. If you do find them they are likely to be called 'juniors' but you'll actually find they are no different to normal light-absorbency tampons. These can be found at any store that sells tampons, from the biggest supermarket to the smallest general store.
Tampons are very bad for sexual health because they provide bacteria with the perfect warm/moist environment to multiply, they absorb all vaginal fluids including discharge that can cause vaginal splitting, they prevent normal vaginal cleaning and commercial tampons introduce chemicals into your body that can interfere with normal vaginal pH - this all means a high risk of TSS and vaginal infections.
The risk of tampons are higher for teens and pre-teens because the mucosa which is the skin-like stuff that makes up the walls of your vagina is thinner than in adults so more prone to vaginal splitting which can increase risk of infections and TSS, teens and pre-teens also don't have as strong an immune system which also increases risk of TSS.
Whether they are made for teens or not there is still the same risk of TSS and vaginal infections, also tampons have been linked to endometriosis and cancer due to the bleaching methods used on tampons that have resulted in dioxin being present in tampons.
From Toxic shock syndrome information service;
"The risk of TSS is greater in younger people. This is because older people are more likely to have the necessary antibodies to protect them from the toxin that causes TSS."
http://www.toxicshock.com
Sorry but your mother is right, by the sounds of things you don't really know about TSS or all the other risks linked with tampons - increased risk of TSS, vaginal infections such as bacterial vaginosis or thrush, women's cancer and endometriosis.
TSS is also not something you only get if you are 'dirty' and don't change your tampon, as someone who answered your question claimed. TSS is a risk for everyone but is significantly increased if you use tampons and the longer they are within your body the higher the risk because the longer the bacteria has to grow within the tampon, but that bacteria is always in your vagina so no matter how long a tampon is in for that bacteria can grow.
Information on tampon dangers:
http://www.spotsite.org
http://www.tamponalert.org.uk
http://cookiepuss.tripod.com/tampons.htm
http://www.wen.org.uk/sanpro/reports/san...
http://www.frontiernet.net/%7Eruthb/Tamp...
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/features/tamp...
http://www.vaginaverite.com/menstruation...
If you do use tampons remember the risks involved and do your best to avoid those risks;
- Use a safer type of tampons such as organic tampons like Cottons, Natracare or Tamponification because these use 100% cotton and no chemicals your risk of TSS and vaginal infections are far lessened.
- Change your tampon every 4-6 hours to prevent the bacteria building up in inside your vagina, don't change too often as this can further damage vaginal walls by drying out and creating friction.
- Use the correct absorbency, always start with the lightest absorbency and increase if you need it, moving back down again as your flow lessens towards the end of your period.
- Do not use tampons at night/while sleeping as no gravity to act on menstrual flow to bring down to tampon it means they only have vaginal fluids to absorb leading to increased vaginal splitting.
- Do not use tampons when you are not on your period or when your period is too light to use tampons, again this increases your risk of vaginal splitting in turn TSS and infections.
Commercial tampons are the most harmful and unhygienic option out of over twenty different menstrual options, if you don't know about all the risks and you don't know about all of your options it is not at all recommended you switch to tampons. You need to be able to make an educated choice when it comes to your sexual health, have you considered other menstrual options other than tampons or pads?
I would HIGHLY recomend you instead look into getting a menstrual cup, menstrual cups are internal just like tampons, your fold them and insert them into your vagina where they collect blood, they are FAR safer and cleaner than tampons because they don't stop your vagina from cleaning itself and don't give bacteria a place to multiply, they have a lot of benefits over tampons;
* Safe - never been linked to TSS or infections.
* Clean - very hygienic and can be sterilized.
* Don't contain harmful chemicals.
* Manufacturers are moral.
* Can be left in for up to 12 hours.
* Don't leak like tampons do.
* Can be worn all through your period.
* Can be worn at night.
* Can be worn during sports, including swimming.
* Can be worn any time of the month.
* Don't have to change sizes to fit flow.
* Nothing shows on the outside.
* Don't cause menstrual cramps.
* Don't increase menstrual flow.
* You don't have to carry spares.
* Cost very little money.
* Environmentally friendly.
* Don't allow you to smell.
* Fit anyone - no need for teen sizes.
* Don't have to change all the time.
* Body positive.
* Lets you tell how heavy you are.
* Money-back guarantee - you can try and get your money back if you don't like it!
I used to use both tampons and pads from when I first had my period, I changed to using a menstrual cup around 5 years ago, trust me they are FAR better than tampons both because they are healthier for you and because they are far easier to use than tampons.
When I used tampons and pads I had constant infections where as now using a menstrual cup I don't, I've also known a few girls who have had TSS, trust me using tampons is not a risk you want to take.
Most women I know use menstrual cups and wish they had known about menstrual cups when they were at school, would have saved them a lot of embarrassment. You can find a lot more information as this web community - http://www.menstrualcups.org - or from Wikipedia here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menstrual_c...
If you don't like the idea of the menstrual cups like Divacup then how about trying softcups like Instead - these are softcups, they are soft plastic cups that fit into your vagina up near your cervix, they work the same way as bell-shaped cups but they are disposable, although some people find they leak a lot of people love them and they are still far safer and cleaner than tampons.
Menstrual cup brands;
http://www.divacup.com - Divacup
http://www.thekeeper.com - Keeper
http://www.mooncup.co.UK - Mooncup
http://www.ladycup.eu - Ladycup
http://www.lunette.fi - Lunette
http://www.softcup.com - Instead
Have you thought about changing what sort of pads you use?
If you use pads like Always it could be that the plastics are stopping air getting to your vulva/vagina which would be making it smell, also you're more likely to get infections with brands like Always.
Of course, you could just be imaging the smell because you're self-conscious about your body or how your vagina smells. As long as you don't have any sort of infection there is no reason to smell bad, even though when menstrual blood meets the air it can smell due to the bacteria within the blood it still shouldn't be enough to smell bad or for other people to smell as long as you are changing your pads regularly.
Try switching pad brands, if you want to use disposable pads I'd recomend switching to something like Natracare as these are 100% organic cotton without any plastics or chemicals so are better for you and will keep you dryer so will cut-down on any smells, or you might want to look into trying cloth pads like Lunapads that are far more comfortable than what you are using now.
Pad brands;
http://www.natracare.com - Natracare
http://www.tampontification.com - Tamponification
http://www.cottons.com.au - Cottons
http://www.lunapads.com - Lunapads
http://www.reddyspads.com - Reddys pads
http://urban-armor.org/urban-armor - Urban-armor
well, teen girls yeah
Tampons are made for every female. TSS pretty much only happens if you're some dirty girl who doesn't change it.
i use kotex, grocery stores have them and also drug stores like walgreens and rite aid have them
yes, there are tampons marketed for teens-I can't remember the name right now-but I've seen ads
You can use standard tampons
The TSS thing started because tampons USED to be made with a dangerous ingedient. Regular strength tampons are safer than super-it is also important to change them regularly to reduce the risk.
Even though the ingedient that caused TSS isn't used anymore-they still give the warnng-try some research on TSS to show your mom the warnings are misleading
you can buy them anywhere just read the box
yeah they make special ones for first time tampon users,by tampax, but its a british company if your american, or also most brands do a smaller lighter range with applicators to make them easier to use, so you could just go for them. x
Please click the link below. I think it will be very helpful to you.
Or talk to your parents.
Yes, most teens can wear tampons...and they are available for every age group
Pearl's are supposed to be the easiest to use and are aimed at the younger crowd. Tampons r not necessarilly easier though, they kind of hurt going in and can be unconrtable until you get used to using them
i found the easiest kind of tampons are tampax pearl. its a smooth applicator so its a ton easier than cardboard. plus once you get the hang of them, they are extremely east & fast.
no but u do get tampons that come in different lengths shapes and thickness, i find lilets are the best and t tells u on the box what ones ull need, i.e wether ur light,medium or heavy blood flow. Tampons are safe enough if you change them often enough and dont leave them in over night!
im 14 and i use tampons. they are seriously so much better then pads all the way. i use tampax pearl. they slide in so much better. CARDBOARD SUCKS! dont ever use that. it kinda hurts putting those in. and when ever you wear a tampon always make sure to put one of those mini pad (pantyliners) underneath.
there aren't any specifically for teens, but try lil-lets. They're the ones given to me by school nurses when we had our 'period talks' in school. Yes, they're associated with TSS, but it is very very rare and if you do everything right, the risk should be even less, eg, change regularly and use the lowest absorbency for your flow, so if you're not that heavy, don't use super ones.
i use tampax
slim regular
it's the pink one
But you might want to use just plain regular, the yellow one
because youre farther along
not super.
and tampax PEARL is always a plus.
i just got my first period and i used the light (purple) ones
in tampax pearl and it was fine
you'll only get tss is you like dont change them every 4-6 hours.
there are slim tampons that might better suit a teen girl. you should try them. but if you`re period is heavy i wouldn`t reccommend it because you might leak through.
these links should be helpful..
tampons are safe.. TSS is rare..
There are no tampons made especially just for teens. You might want to tell your mom that TSS is very very very rare and it can effect women and girls of any age. Try sitting down with your mom and explaining the situation to her she is after all a woman and should understand your views. I would think that if you can be mature enough to have an adult conversation with your mother about it she may be more open to the idea of you using tampons. Good luck. I know I had a similar problem with my mom at your age and for me nothing worked. I had to go buy them and use them anyways. Hopefully it wont come to that for you.
There are no tampons especially made for teens, but you can tell your mom that the chances of TSS are much lower if you use the smallest tampon (super light absorbency) and change it often. Most if not all cases of TSS occur in people who use the high absorbency tampons and leave them in hours upon hours.
well i am now 13 and i have had my period since i was 11 too. after probably the 3rd or 4th time i got it, i tried a tampon. it was soooo easy! and it felt fine too! dont worry if u dont get it at first and u can tell ur mom that u only get TTS if u have it in longer then 8 hours, which is true. i use tampax pearl lights, even though mine is ALWAYS heavy. i just change it more ofter. make sure u get the pearl kind, because the plastic slips in easily. the paper is harder. finnally, get the light kind, because it is like pencil thin, so u dont even no it is there! try it out! and if u dont get it at fist, no worries! u have every period untill menapous to get it right. lol. good luck!!!!! <3<3<3 sweetpea
When I first started my period, I got this 'girls' kit, and it came with slim tampons,etc. It was by Tampax, so idk if you can still find them, but I found mine at Wal-mart =]
You should change the brand of pads you are using. Most new brands have an odor removing layer in them. Also, make sure you are using ones with wings.. so they do not leak, while you are moving around so much.
Finally, for me personally, I would not suggest tampons...especially while at school. Sitting for long periods of time, etc -- you are at risk for toxic shock syndrome. You are recommended to change your pad every 3-4 hours, and less than that i'd say for a tampon as it is a foreign object inside of you. I wouldnt take the risk, just be more diligent. By lunch period, it should be fine to change your pad for the remainder of school..then again before dinner.
i like playtex gentle glide ones, and i change it atleast every 3 to 4 hours. Just read the directions, they tell you how to be safe and protect yourself from TSS.
any tampon is ok for teens. i use playtex sport and tampax pearl. size regular in both. dont get scented theyre bad 4 u. and use a plastic applicator they glide easier. you can use scented pantyliners to make you smell fresher too
your mom is right you get tss with tampons that your best to avoid. stick with pads or use something like a menstrual cup, I use divacup http://www.divacup.com which is far far far easier to use and better than tampons. you can get tampons for teens from ob but they are just smaller sized tampons so just as bad for you and just as dirty - yuck!!
if youre worried about smell then the last thing you want are tampons!! eek!! they are horrible gross things and yeah you get tss from them and infections that make you smell.
use these soft cup things instead they are much cleaner than pads or tampons and dont give you cramps like tampons do you dont have to change at school all the time either!!!
www.softcup.com
I think OB used to do juniors, but too many people complained about them marketing those things to kids!
Do yourself a favour, stick to pads, far safer and cleaner!
Any drug store should have small, slim, or teen. TSS was a big deal for a short time, and people aren't letting go of it. Make sure you change every 4-8 hours and you'll be fine.
When you first try to use it, it's gonna feel clumsy. Put your foot on the toilet. Position tampon over proper hole and begin to insert. If you run into resistance, the canal tilts towards your back so keep that in mind. Make sure it is in past the bone in front, it needs to be in all the way in order to be comfortable. You should not feel it if it's in right. Best of luck!
peace
i ahve usesd tampax compak since my firsst preriod when i was 11 and theyr egreat try lites and a pad first cos you may take a while to know when to change
USE PLAYTEX SPORT!!!!!
its amazing!
playtex sports...i used those when i first started to use tampons and they work great. so comfortable.