Occupy Menstruation
Tampons for young women? Ask Aunt Flo
Q: I’d like your advice on tampons! My daughter hasn’t started her periods yet, but she does love to swim and dance so she will need to use something like a tampon for those times. What would you recommend? I am rather concerned about TSS. Thanks.
~ Rachel, Pembrokeshire
A: Hi Rachel, thanks for your question, it’s one I get asked a lot!
It’s a tricky one as I like to encourage women to take gentle exercise when they are on their moontime- but I’m not a huge lover of using internals like tampons unless really necessary. I would suggest that at least for her first 6 months of flowing she stick to pads, just to give her and her body time to adjust to having her moontime, and see how she copes with it. It’s only a few days out of the month so hopefully she wont mind missing swimming on those occasions. A bit of fun dancing is fine in a pad – she could have a go at home to see how it feels to dance and flow!
Encourage her to tune into her body and see if she really feels like swimming or dancing at that time. Being kind to her self is whats needed- so maybe introduce her to yoga or take her for a stroll under the moonlight?
When she does feel the need for using something like tampons, maybe show her some Moon Sponges (you can get small sizes, ideal for young women) or one of the many menstrual cups that are on the market? There are no known cases of TSS from sponges or cups.
I am proud to say that my eldest (now 23 yr old) daughter has never used a tampon or even a sponge or cup, she just hasn’t had a need to use them even though she is fairly active, cycling about the city and doing Bikram Yoga!
You might like to read my Menarche book with her, it’s a workbook for mums and daughters, with lots of info on celebrating her first Moontime, what’s going on in her body, choices in sanitary wear and lots more! Hope this helps, love Aunt Flo xxx
~~ Aunt Flo is Rachael Hertogs, author of the book “Menarche: A Journey into Womanhood.” Available on amazon or get a signed copy directly from Rachael at http://www.moontimes.co.uk/
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Community – In the wake of Camp Gyno, the pro-tampon (and sort of pro-bullying, but that’s another discussion…) ad that’s been viraling about, what do YOU think about tampons for pre-teens and teens?
What are your thoughts and stories and questions about how to help young women manage their flow?
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☾ Katharine Krueger ~ Occupy Menstruation
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