11 Year Old Period Problems/questions

I would recommend changing the pads more frequently which a just a real pain but less embarrassing than bleeding through.

This is what I have to do on my heavy days.

Put an 11 year old on birth control? That is crazy, too young and I defintely wouldnt do that. My daughter started her period at 9, it was irregular and heavy but the LAST thing I thought about was putting her on birth control and using a tampon. Both have risks. What she did was double up on the pads, wore very tight panties and changed them more often.

Dejavue! The only difference between your daughter and me is age. I started when I was 13, 5'2," and 90 lbs. (No not anorexic - I actually ate a lot. I used to eat huge seconds.) I was a heavy bleeder too, which ran in the family. Before she uses tampons, you'll want to check with your doctor. I couldn't, because I was at high risk for Toxic Shock Syndrome. I used to get the Kotex belted pads, which don't exist anymore, and stuff the ends with kleenx to make them longer. When they did away with them, I would wear 1 overnight winged pad with 2 panty-sheilds on each end. Now, I discovered that Always puts out an extra long overnight pad that's wider in the back. It's great! You have to make sure you get the right overnight one, because they have 2 different ones. You want the one with the purple covering on the pad.

Tampons would be a good next step... try to get the slim line ones in super. Teach her to change them about every 5-6 hours, or upon waking overnight.

Last time I had my period I actually had to go home during lunch because the bloodloss was so bad that I ended up feeling sick.

Your daughter is actually just a little bigger than me (I'm 5'2" and usually 114 lbs). I'd suggest tampons at this point. I only use tampons since they allow me to do anything I want, including swim, without much trouble.

My middle DD started her period at 10, and her big sister handed her a tampon, before I even knew. She was fine using them. If I ever get stuck using a pad, I use the ones with wings, and in the "long" format. Maybe allow the tampon & use a thin pad as back up, no little girl needs an embarrassing leak, especially while at school. I would use the enclosed diagram that comes with them to explain how to use, and remember, when inserted correctly, you shouldnt be able to feel them.

*in my opinion, 11 is too young for the pill... so much is already going on in a young girls body at that age. Also, choose a lighter absorbancy of tampon, its always best to change it more often than use some huge thing- I think of huge tampons as a futon, bad I know, but they give me cramps they expand so much. For me, the best thing is the diva cup. But 11 is likely too young for that yet.

my dau now 16 would bleed threw everything would put towel on bad at night much better now it takes years to get regular but ask dr next time there

My daughter started hers at 11 years old and from day one it was heavy heavy...long (6-9 days) and only 21-24 days between. UGH! Poor kid. She is short, but always a heavy girl. No cramps, but hellacious headaches.

We did end up getting her on the pill about age 13. Hers were jsut too heavy and too soon between them. The pill has helped a little with both of those issues. At least now she knows when it will come.

Certainly something to discuss with your Dr and possibly try.

Good luck!

I would let her try a tampon and see if she likes it. I could never use pads due to sports and heavy bleeding on the second day as well. If she is bleeding through everything, tampons will be so much easier and less messy! She can even wear a pad as well on her heavy days and at night just to be sure she doesn't leak. Let her try them and see if she likes them. Try playtex because they are the soft plastic and might be best for the first time trying!

I had a roommate in college that needed tampons and pads. You might also try Always Infinity pads and she may always have to change more often than other girls. You might also want to discuss this with her doctor in case there are other concerns, like anemia. I think 11 is a little young for the pill, but maybe if this continues when she is older.

Try tampons with a pad. I enjoy tampons myself because I never liked the feeling of wearing a diaper. I also hated to ask my friends if they could see my pad showing from the back. The thing to remember is that she needs to be safe and should change them about every 4-5 hours no matter what size she wears. The really slim ones every couple of hours. I use and have used for a long time the super plus absorbency. I would start her out on the smaller sized tampons I think they have them for teens now. Tell her to carry a "special bag" with PMS supplies. Lots of tampons with panty liners a couple of pairs of underwear and some advil if needed. I never got cramps either and ruined a few good pairs of underwear as I only knew my oeriod was coming when I started bleeding. Now is a different story. But that should help. Proper insertion of a tampon is important as well as removal and waste. Good Luck.

This is what worked for my friend's daughter. We put her on SoySentials by Reliv.. it is a nutritional supplement formulated for females, young and adults to balance the hormones and other issues. You should give it a try. It might just be the answer you are looking for. Even my doctor said he would give it to his daughter.. unfortunately, he only has boys.. LOL..

Let me know if you want to try it. I can help you with that..

Thanks,

Maria B

I was nervous about my daughter using tampons, she was 11 when she started her period but then in the summer, when she was 12, she really needed them for the activities she'd be doing at sleepaway camp, plus she also did leak through at night, so she'd wear a tampon and a pad. She is turning 16 now and always uses tampons - with the pad also for at night or really heavy days. Good luck!

I was put on the pill at 11 to help regulate my period. Some of my worst memories were of me being so young and having my period at school. I was always worried about leaking, and I embarrassingly did on occasion. My period was just really heavy. Also in school it sometimes hard to get a bathroom break. It made all the difference in changing the duration and how heavy my cycle was. I never had/have any pain or cramps either.

I agree with Rachel. Being put on the pill helped me when I was younger and dealing with heavy bleeding. I was always worried that I would bleed through my clothes and took to wearing shirts that covered my butt, most of which were way too big for me, any time I had my period. Being on the pill helped not only regulate my period, but also helped with the heavy duty bleeding. Best of luck to you both!!

My daughter has had similar problems. It may sound funny but she actually prefers to use Depends pads. She says they feel more comfortable to her and she doesn't have the leakage accidents. Maybe try that.

I had this problem also. I wore a tampon and a pad. When the tampon is full, you can feel it start to leak, so you know you should go to the bathroom as soon as you can make it. The pad will keep it from leaking through your clothes, saving embarrassment. It might take a few tries to figure out which tampon works best, but they really should help. If she bleeds through the heavy tampons in an hour or so, you should see the Dr. It might be good to ask next time either way. Just to be sure. I wish someone had been able to help me w/this when I was 12-13. It would have saved me a lot of grief!

I would consult the Dr.

My 16 yr old used pads the first month and then she was done with that.... ugh gross as she said. She's used tampons ever since with no issues. She is a cheerleader and very active... tampons are better than pads and don't smell either.

My daughter has been on the pill since January due to heavy non-stop bleeding and it has helped a lot.

Your 11 year old is taller than me!! Man I'm short ;)

Her body is still regulating itself. Maybe talk to her doctor about putting her on the pill to help regulate her cycle and the amount. My BFF in middle school had to do that and was pretty embarrassed to be on the pill so young (boys still had cooties!), but it was the only thing that straightened her out. Good luck!

I have this problem! My third day is still horrible every month! I wear a ultra absorbent tampon and a thicker longer pad together the whole day. I make sure to change the tampon regularly too (even if you don't have to use the bathroom, it should be changed every couple hours if she's as heavy as me). It seemed to do the trick. As she gets older, it should get a little better, but I totally get it