Here is another problem I have that I am clueless about.

My 11-year-old daughter started her period last June, and it lasted 17 days. It was pretty heavy too. Then she did not have one for about three months.

Lately (for the past five months) she has had a heavy period every two weeks. The last anywhere for 7-10 days, so it is always like she is on her period.

I have taken her to the doctor (three months ago), and she said that if it doesn't "normalize" they will have to consider "drugs". When I asked "what drugs?" the doctor just said "don't worry, it will probably become normal." Also, the doctor said she can use tampons. Isn't she a little young for tampons?

Her periods are very painful, and heavy. Heavy in that she has to change her pad every hour for the first few days. She has missed some school because of it.

I am getting ready to take her back to the doctor again.

Has anyone else had this problem with their daughters (heavy frequent periods)? do you think it is okay to let an 11 year old use tampons? What can be causing this? What "drugs" will the doctor prescribe?

Thanks again for any help with this.

By Jann on Friday, February 14, 2003 - 08:46 am:

Young girls' cycles are rather sporadic. The doctor is probably talking about putting her on the birth control pill to help regulate her cycle.
If she can put the tampon in and remember to change it frequently (TSS), then I don't see why she can't use them.

By Kaye on Friday, February 14, 2003 - 09:16 am:

Mine were that way, it was awful. I got put on the pill and was ever so thankful, I can say though my mom really disliked that I was on "birth control".

By Karen55 on Friday, February 14, 2003 - 09:36 am:

I was that way when I had periods too. They lasted forever and my cycle was every 22 days.

My DD has had awful periods since she started; very heavy bleeding and a lot of pain and cramping. She would miss school at least one day every period and literally stay in bed with a heating pad.

I first talked to her ped. and she said to give her periods a year to regulate. Never happened. So I took her to a gyn. She has been on the pill for 4 years (she just turned 18 in Dec.). It has helped her tremendously, although she still has the occasional *bad* period.

Another thing that concerned me was the possibility of my DD having endometriosis. I had it and suffered a LOT. It's unusual for teens to be diagnosed with that, although we do personally know 2 that were. So it was just something I made her gyn. aware of.

Regarding tampons, I started using them after my 3rd period, so did my DD. They are safe as long as they are not left in too long.

By Jewlz on Friday, February 14, 2003 - 12:54 pm:

hi sick puppy ... i have a girl that is 16 now and a few years ago i asked these same questions to the moms here ... the tampons are safe if used correctly ... and help with lessoning the chance of embarrassment ... as for the puttin ur daughter on birth control pills ... i didnt like that idea of it either ...but u have to way out the pros and cons .... and hope u have given her the ground to stand on to not use the pill as a chance to have sexual freedom ... we have endimetriosis in our family really bad ... so bad if u dont have a kid buy about 25 .. prolly not going to happen cuz ull have a hysterctomy by 30 ... we put dd on the pill for 6 months and the changes it made were wonderful ... they were very low dose and helped with the menstal cramping and the heavy bleedin and she was able to have a normal cycle ... and have a life as she put it ... she now goes on it for about 6 months out of the year and off ... she says it helps and then she dont have to take it year round ... the dr agrees with this ... good luck ...by the way she was 11 too when we started all this ...

By Palmbchprincess on Friday, February 14, 2003 - 01:22 pm:

I agree with everything said above. I started my period at your DDs age, and didn't start using tampons right away, but that was only b/c my mom thought I shouldn't. As far as the cycles she's having, I would get a new GYN for her, b/c this should be a bigger concern to the Dr, IMO. Birth control pills are very helpful in regulating periods.

By Melissa on Friday, February 14, 2003 - 02:53 pm:

Tampons are fine for her just be sure she knows to change them often to prevent toxic shock. I would get a second opinion from a Ped who specializes in Adolesent medicine or a Gyn who does.

By Sickpuppy on Saturday, February 15, 2003 - 08:36 am:

Hi Guys. Once again, you are all wonderful! Yes, the advice on the GYN is great, and I will either get a referral from our pediatrician, or from the insurance co.

Also, I was kind of hesitant about the "pill" at this young age, but if it will help with the pain of her period, and the "embarassment" then I think I as a parent should consider it an option. This age is such a tough one.

By Mommyathome on Sunday, February 16, 2003 - 11:04 pm:

I'm a little late with posting, but I wanted to comment on your post. My Sister in law---now age 21---started her period pretty early as well. She had a horrible time with it. The doctor told her mom to give it the usual year to normalize itself, but she couldn't handle it that long. She was bleeding so frequently and so heavily that she was missing out on life! Her mom took her back to the Dr. after about 6 months. They put her right on the pill and she's been on it ever since. Her periods are now perfectly planned and so much less painful.

One thing that she said, was that instead of her mom and family and Dr. making a big deal about being on "the pill", they called the pill by it's proper name (not sure which pill it was). That way she didn't feel self consious about being on birth control so early in life.

Good Luck with your DD!

By Mommyah2 on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 11:46 pm:

My mom was hesitant about putting me on the pill also. She felt it may provoke me to become sexually active,it didnt. So if this is one of your concerns (i know shes very young so its probably not) i wouldnt worry.

By Karen55 on Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 09:11 am:

Personally, I don't think being on the pill is going to encourage sexual activity. My kids have been educated about sex since a young age. All kids know they do not have to be on the pill to have sex, and those who do choose to have sex without being on the pill know that they can/should use other protection. And on that note, they can certainly obtain the pill without their parents' knowledge at a free clinic, etc. I know there are many (including a close friend of mine) who feel that giving them the pill is equal to giving them permission to have sex, and I disagree with that.
The pill is simply hormones and hormones are what makes our bodies *run* correctly. I think if you don't make a big deal out of calling it *the pill*, your DD won't either.

By Mommyah2 on Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 04:24 pm:

I think that using tampons right now would be a bad idea and the only reason i do is since her cycles run extremely heavy it could increase the chance of T.S.S (toxic shock syndrome).Before letting her use them i would read up on it(not that their always bad to use)Im just a little concerned.I could be wrong so please read up on it.

By Jann on Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 05:45 pm:

TSS is caused by leaving the tampons in too long. If she has a heavy cycle she should be changing her tampons often. The concern was girls using the super tampons and not changing them out often enough.

By Mommyah2 on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 02:09 am:

Jann is absolutely corect.It could become more of an agrevation for her than using pads.She knows her body best.Myself if it were my body i would hold off on tampons until the flow was lighter.