I am leaving for Florida in 2 days, for Spring Break. What if I get my period between now, and the time I come home??? I have never used a tampon! What if I bleed while I am in the water? I am afraid to use a tampon. How many pads should I bring??? HELP!!!\n\nGIRLS ONLY PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
208407
only use a tampon in the water. plus when u are in the water your period dosent flow as much. if you wear a pad, it will bloat up and fall apart in the water, and thats embarassing. so hold your breath put a tampon in and go have fun!! i mean your going to use a tampon sooner or later\ngood luck
560455
I know that exercise can delay periods.  Try running everyday until your trip.  It might not work if there isn't enough time for your body to adjust, but I have a friend who works out almost everyday and she has very light to no period at all
430798
I would recommend you look at different options; you are not restricted to using either commercial pads or commercial tampons, what would probably work best for you would be either cloth pads or bell-shaped menstrual cups. \n\nCloth pads are basically pads that are made out of cloth; they are a lot healthier, greener and cheaper than commercial pads, because they are cloth it means they allow aeration to your vulva so you don't get sweaty, it also means they are very soft so they do not irritate your skin. You can get belts or g-style pads that are attached to your waste so that they do not move about as much as normal pads, or you can get padded panties that are basically underwear with padding built in so they are easier to move in and more comfortable. \n\nhttp://www.gladrags.com – Cloth pads. \nhttp://www.lunapads.com – Padded panties.\nhttp://www.reddyspads.com – G-style pads.\nhttp://www.wen.org.uk/sanpro/reports/makeyourown_web.pdf - DIY cloth pads.\n\nThe best internal options to go for are menstrual cups, there are a lot of different types but most women use either rubber or silicone bell-shaped menstrual cups or softcups. Menstrual cups go into your vagina to collect blood, they can be left I for up to 12 hours, they can be worn before your period is due, they can be worn to sleep, they can be worn for sports, there is also nothing showing on the outside so better for things such as swimming. Menstrual cups are more comfortable than tampons, easier to use and a lot more convenient with less chance of leaking or getting caught without any spares. \nThey are a lot more reliable than tampons because they very rarely leak, also unlike tampons they are hygienic and as a result they have NO HEALTH RISKS associated with them what-so-ever, so unlike tampons they are safe and healthy, they are not even linked with TSS. \nMost people use bell-shaped cups because they are very reliable, as well as reusable making them cheaper and greener, but some people still prefer disposable options like softcups, softcups aren't suitable for everyone although they can be worn during penetrative sex that makes them more appealing for a lot of women.\n\nhttp://www.divacup.com – Silicone bell-shaped menstrual cups.\nhttp://www.mooncup.co.uk – Silicone bell-shaped menstrual cups.\nhttp://www.keeper.com – Rubber bell-shaped menstrual cups.\nhttp://www.softcup.com – Soft plastic diaphragm-shaped menstrual cups.\n\nIf you are going to use tampons then I would highly recommend you read up about tampon risks, minimise your risk by changing every 4 hours, never use them when not menstruating or on light flow days, never wear tampons to bed and use safer tampon options. \nAs commercial tampons are made from synthetic materials and contain chemicals, totally unnecessary, it means they are higher risk, there are other tampons that carry reduced risk such as organic tampons, sponge tampons or homemade tampons. Organic tampons are exactly like commercial tampons, only they are made form 100% organic cotton and do not contain chemicals or bleach, sponge tampons are sponges so natural and also reusable, homemade tampons are basically rolled up cotton so can be reusable or disposable. \n\nhttp://www.natracare.com – Organic tampons and pads.\nhttp://www.jadeandpearl.com – Sponge tampons.\n\nTSS is far from the only risk associated with tampons, tampons are also linked to menstrual cramping, increased menstrual flow, and vaginal infections such as bacterial vaginosis through to more serious illness such as endometriosis. This is why commercial tampons are the most harmful out of over twenty different menstrual options available and the only options to have killed women.\n\nTSS is the better known due to the outbreak in the 1980's brought about by tampons made form super absorbent materials that were not tested prior to sale for health risks. TSS can be fatal or leave it's victims with life-long health problems, it is rare but
595923
My suggestion would require you visiting a gynocologist and have he/she give you proper directions in using a tampon.  Millions of women use it and say they don't feel it, so I think it's anxiety getting the best of you.\n\nGood luck!!!!
561754
Using tampons are fine.  The only time that it is not is if you have forgotten to take it out.  You will be able to feel the stopping point once you insert it.  They usually insert at a slant usually towards your back.  I would suggest for the first time to put your foot on the toilet seat to insert it until you get used to it.\n\nAll depending on your flow is the reason it may leak.  This is why tampons are good because you can go swimming.  If you are afraid of leakage use a panty liner.\n\nGood Luck,\n\nJosephine
558297
When you first start your period, often it is irregular and catches you by surprise.  I always carried seomthing in my purse/backpack to be prepared for that.  Also, look for the signs of your period coming (such as bloating, cramping, ect) and then its not so much of a surprise.  Also, Id suggest tracking it on a calendar or website (theres lots of free ones to do so), and then u can predict it so much better.
518359
Yes it is okay to use a tampon when your going swimming. Iv'e done the same thing your wondering about and it was fine with me but just make sure to brings extra's just in case. But i think it will be fine. Because i went swimming with a friend and i wore one in the pool and nothing came out and everything was great.
405893
its normal! happens to EVERY (normal) GIRL!\ndont be afraid and tell your mom!\nokay??\nmake sure you use pads and not tampons (right now)
595219
Well sorry there is nothing you can do to slow down or stop your period.I know that sucks ur going to be on a 16 hour plane ride.Just get yourself some thick overnight pads and an extra change of panties...and try to chill out....\n (((hugs sistah)))
643069
Tampons are a life saver. I think you should try one everyones body is diffrent. They don't hurt me and it lets me do a lot of things like swim and is less messy at that time of the month. They come in little packages so there really not noticable. Easy to be hidden if thats what you want to do.
513274
Well the basics of the scientific side of things is that an egg is released from your ovaries about once a month, and the lining in your uterus builds up ready for a pregnancy - and when the egg remains unfertilised cause there's no sperm getting in there, your uterus flushes out this lining in the form of your period, and the whole cycle happens again next month. Here's the need-to-know stuff though! Hope it helps, sorry if there's way more than you wanted to know....\n\nIt comes approximately every 28 days - but the actual cycle varies hugley between people and can be really irregular for the 1st year or so, you may want to keep some pads/tampons in your school bag and stuff so as to avoid being caught out. You may also like to mark with just a little star or something in your diary the 1st day each month when you get your period so you can work out how long your cycle is and when to expect your next one. The length of time it lasts for is really different for different people as well - often around 5 days, but they say anywhere between 2 and 8 is normal.\n\nYou may find you get PMS each month before it starts - eg feel really down, or moody, tearful - that's pretty normal, some people get mega-bad PMS (if you feel suicidal or something once a month you may wanna talk to your doctor about supplements or something to control it though!) I used to have a screaming fit followed by a crying fit when I was ~16! Don't get that anymore, thankfully...\n\nBasically you've gotta find what suits you in terms of pads and tampons... you can go swimming during your period if using tampons as they soak up the blood internally (can't go swimming with pads though) and tampon boxes always include instructions on how to insert them. If you don't feel comfortable with tampons and they've got swimming at school, just get your Dad to write you a note (He can say you've got a cold or something, pretty much any excuse, if you don't want a note to the teacher saying you've got your period!) It's best to use pads near the end of the period when there's not much blood there. There's a range of pads out there - eg ones with wings to hold them in place, and ones for different flows - you might want to wear an 'overnight' one for overnight, etc... So you'll find the ones you prefer. You need to change the pad about every 3-4hrs, or earlier if it's full. There should be a little bin in most women's toilets, and you just chuck it in there, if it's a pad wrap a bit of toilet paper or the wrapper or something round it so it doesn't stick to the chute... that's just yuck! I'd wrap something round it whatever the bin... It can be kinda difficult at other people's houses if they don't provide a bin in either their toilet or their bathroom and you've really gotta change it, but usually there's something somewhere!\n\nIf you get really bad cramps sometimes a hot-water bottle against your tummy can help a bit. You may also feel a bit bloated. Make sure you're getting enough iron and Vitamin C in your diet (this doesn't necessarily mean eat tonnes of red meat - I'm vegetarian! - you can get iron through foods like spinach, raisins, etc.. You can probably find a list of iron-rich foods no prob) as although you really don't lose much blood at all, it can make you slightly more at risk of iron deficiency. I wouldn't recommend taking any iron supplements or anything unless a blood-test by a doctor has actually shown you to be low on iron, as too much is just as bad as too little!\n\nNot sure if I've left anything out... and sorry if that was a case of mega-TMI! Better to know more than enough than less than enough... but if you do have any more questions just add them to the top bit!
480763
You're going through puberty, these things are all normal. Carry round a pad so you are prepared for your periods when they come. For more information about periods visit -\nhttp://beinggirl.com\nDon't worry :-)\n~Katie~
326058
Wear your tampon. You will be fine. I know you will be able to change because you cannot hold pee for 8+ hours
392934
Make sure you have a pad or tampon on you at all times.  I will sometimes lose track of mine by a couple of days and will wear a mini-pad until it starts.
419798
theres nothing to be embarassed about! all women have that!  what I do is i wear a pad. ( I play Basketball too) it's called vaginal discharge. and it only smells to you... no one else can smell it. wear a pad. if it feels like your period you can be confident that there is somthing there. and you can't make it stop... if you haven't started your period thats a sure sign that you are about to. when in basketball you should honestly wear a tampon. seriously! my coach gave out samples the other day when guys were there... so yeah... that was embarassing! have fun playing B-Ball!
343686
spellcheck.... Ok, just kidding. But no, I really don't think there is anything you can do but just take it. A tampon is probably best. You don't want to stick anything unsanitary up there.
633316
Well, just bring extra material for hygiene and enjoy the trip.\n\nMay ladies travel while on their period, so don't let that set you back.\n\n\nGood luck and have fun!!!!