[Anonymous]

I've just had my first period and am not hugely impressed. how do you guys manage with it on a day to day basis - i keep thinking how horiffic it will be on hols/camping/horse riding etc. I feel really uncomfortably and uhygienic.
I used pads but found it really sweaty and horrible.
I tried a tampon but my fingers got all dirty and it hurt. Using a tampon seems cleaner but can you use them all the time - even right near the end where there is less blood?
I've heard of a mooncup but that seems equally difficult to insert and I don't like the idea of "washing up" after use.
Are there any other products?
Is it worth using freshening wipes or anything like that - i've heard they increase the likelyhood of infection?
I'm absolutely dreading my next one and just need some advice from older people that are more experienced with periods.

[*River]

. You'll get used to it, everybody does in the end. First time isn't much fun though. Applicator tampons are less messy if you didn't use one of those, and it can take a bit of practice to get the hang of using them. Anyway, more , and have some chocolate!

[mascara_eyes]

Having your first period is always daunting. I remember mine and i was just as scared and disguted by it as you are. From my experience once you get used to them tampons are easier to deal with (and less messy than pads) but then again each girl is different You can use tampons thorughout your peiod but you have to use a different thickness at different stages e.g towards the end use a lighter one (they sell boxes which contain different thicknesses). You can always look on google for some advice on different tampons and stuff or if you need any more help you could always ask your mum? Hope this helps!

[JaneThePain]

Using a tampon for the first time was bound to be uncomfortable, but your body will become used to them in time. Be careful, however, as some women suffer greatly with them and have terrible side effects. Personally, I only use them if I really have no alternative.

I think that freshening wipes are quite a good idea for when you're on the move (like, as you said, camping). imho nothing can beat regular showers (or if you have bad period pains, a bath).

All in all, periods aren't a pleasant experience, but if you change your pad/tampon regularly and wash regularly there shouldn't be too much of a problem.

I mentioned pains above ^ I suffer from dysmenhorrea, so I have a whole host of remedies to combat pains. Lavender baths help, as well as gentle exercise. You can also try self heating patches or a hot water bottle. Before I started on my prescription, Feminax capsules were my best friends

[beach surf babe]

If you get cramps-take ibuprofen!! It is a serious life saver!! And yeah, applicator tampons are better whilst your still getting used to tampons. I would also suggest using a panty liner or slim towel as a back up on heavier days.

[jaymie !]

you will get use to it, just think some people who don't actually get theres for ages worry and end up wanting it because they think they're weird for not having it yet. i get terrible stomache, back, all over body aches get quesy and i cry from the pain sometimes but i find feminex can releave some of the pain so for people who only get minor aches that should help a fair bit!

[yellow96]

(Original post by beach surf babe)
If you get cramps-take ibuprofen!! It is a serious life saver!!

Definitely. You'll get used to them eventually OP. Just make sure you keep track of them so that you can plan activities and outfits around them, though don't worry if they're a bit haywire at first. Invest in a couple of dark, comfy trousers to wear during the first few days, and make sure you keep your blood sugar levels up. If you have quite heavy periods you may find that you feel faint and shakey at times, so have a sweet cup of tea and sit down. It's normal to get pains in all sorts of places in your lower body just before and during your period too. Personally, my thighs ache and feel cold. Sadly, you're stuck with them now for the next 40 years, give or take, so find your own coping mechanisms.

[sophisticated]

All I can say is you'll get used to it and learn to love your period lol.
Definately try to get into the habit of using applicator tampons...they've saved me so many times and mean you can still do basically anything while you're on your period, swimming horseriding etc.
I also have a lil-lets soothing rub for my tummy which helps soothe stomach cramps. You can get them in the towel/tampon section in supermarkets I believe. Its a little tub of cream stuff that you rub on your stomach and funnily enough it does seem to help

[hannah_dru]

Keep up excercise if you can because it eases cramps. I actually don't get much pain anymore because I do excercises.
I still use tampons towards the end of my period.

[khil]

Awwww Bless you. Seriously, it's not that bad. I guess by now I'm used to it cus it's been... how many years? 8 years or so? It's really not so bad. Don't feel unhygenic - it's natural. Seriously, you ought to be upset and worried if you didn't get your period! And look on the bright side, at least in means you appear normal fertility-wise!

And as for tampons/pads etc, I'm afraid you'll have to put up with one or the other. I'd stick with pads if you don't know how to insert a tampon, but tampons can be quite convenient, especially with horse-riding or whatever. Less leaks. I wouldn't know - I've never used a tampon but pads work fine for me. With tampons you'll have to make sure you change every few hours or it could be harmful to you, I think. Whereas pads you don't get that problem. What you might wanna do is maybe go on the tampon during the day, and the pad when you sleep, cus you can hardly change at regular intervals if you're asleep.

And as for camping, don't worry - you may not even be on your period during your week camping. And if you so happen to be, then take the pill just that once and run the packs together. That stops your period. It is discouraged to do this too frequently, so only do it if just for that week you really can't have your period. My housemate ran her packs together and skipped her period for the month due to exams, as she didn't want period pains.

All in all, it's really fine, my lovely. It's not that much hassle once you get used to it. It used to annoy me too and to be honest I still get annoyed sometimes, but I just look forward to when it finishes. You're not on your period for a way longer time than when you're on your period, so it's not too bad Just make sure you always have spare tampons/pads handy in case it catches you by surprise though, as you wouldn't know when your cycle starts just yet. It will vary according to your diet and environment and lifestyle. Mine was originally at the end of the month - went to uni and it shifted by a week per month until my cycle starts at the start of a month instead. Now I'm muddled up as to when it starts lol!

Oh and yeh, someone mentioned investing in dark trousers - yeh definitely invest in a few of those. Avoid wearing white or light colours on your lower half near or during your period. You may or may not want to invest in night pads as well for sleeping, as well, disgusting though it sounds, your blood does leak and you run the risk of ruining your bedsheets. So invest in a specific dark pair of sleeping trousers or shorts and a pair of underwear that you're not scared of ruining when you're on your period. Don't wear your best knickers on your period. I actually have specific trousers/underwear for when I'm on my period nowadays, so even if it leaks, no one sees... And if it ruins my underwear, it's cool because well, I expected it to happen and it's a trashy one I didn't want.

And it's normal to get mood swings before and during your period, as well as cramps and aches. I'm lucky in that I don't get much of it - I get cramps maybe once during my period, for just the 2 hours or so, then I never feel it again. It's odd. Your lower back may ache as well. It's perfectly normal

You'll get used to it

Oh last but not least - go tell your mum. Seriously, she can give you tips and advice. When I first got my period, I was a little shocked and I just stood there, froze, changed my underwear and went downstairs and told my mum, cus I had no idea what to do. She immediately came upstairs to the loo and basically showed me how to put on a pad etc. And she was discreet about it, cus I was a little unsure about it, so when family members ask what we're on about (cus we kinda spoke in code lol - I was 11 or 12), my mum just dismissed the family questions and said "Don't be so nosy!" So my mum was good about it. If you don't want the world to know, let your mum know but just say to her don't mention anything. Most girls seem embarrassed of the topic or when they're on their period they don't like people finding out. Again, it's quite normal lol.

[DancinBallerina]

Awww bless - I remember when I first started and I just cried the whole day!

I have to agree with what everyone has said, cant really say anything else.

You'll get use to it

[Niaya]

if you find your quite heavy go and see the doctor - you can try going on things like pill which can make your periods lighter.
I would tell your mum - shes been there before and can offer advice, and ive found i can can be ratty around the time im on so its better if people have some warning

[red_Rose]

I think my first one was the worst, i'd just turned 12 when it decided to show up. The pain was quite bad and i have a memory of sitting in food tech in so much pain i also really struggled with the use of tampons. I later realsed i found it easier without the applicator and 7 years later i dont think i could use an applicatior tampon
Like others have said i'd wear dark pants for the first few days untill you get used to it and black underwear too. It really does get easier

[hippieglitter]

My first period is probably the worst period anybody coud have it hurt like **** and was really really heavy, it started on a sunday night and i spent most of monday at the school sanatorium with a hot water bottle cos i felt so awful. Sorry don't wanna scare with the horror stories of my menstrual cycle. Don't worry you'll get used to them, we all do, (except me, i can count on two hands the amount of periods i've had in the five years since i started) it'll become habit after a few months and if you do have any problems with them, go to the doctor they will probably have heard it before and will be able to help.

[city_chic]

You'll soon get used to it

[abc101]

I remember when I got my first one, I was scared and really upset, I was desperately hoping it was something other than that coz I really didn't want them to start! Your first period is always horrible, it's a bit of a shock and it's a little scary and very messy and gross, but you get used to it. You've gotta have one every month for 40 years or so, so you do get used to it!

I would use pads to start off with because they're easy. I've never tried tampons and don't think I will, but a lot of people find them fine, you just have to make sure you use the right absorbencies for your flow and change them every few hours, don't leave them in too long. With pads, so long as you use a pad that's sufficient for your flow (eg. the ones with 3 little drops or whatever they are on the little chart on the packet are best, anything lower than that's too thin!) and change them every 4 hours or so depending on how heavy it is (by the last day of your period, it will probably be so light you only need one all day), they're fine. Used winged ones too - ones without wings always ruffle up and become uncomfortable and lead to leaking, winged ones stay in place!

If you have period pains, take some ibuprofen and curl up on the settee! Get some Cura-Heat patches, you peel the backing off and stick them to the outside of your underwear and they warm up and help soothe pains.

[Rennie]

First of all, I know how daunting a first period can be... but they're really not all as bad as you may think. I've had mine for 5 years and they really don't even register anymore really.

Using a tampon can be a bit scary at first so I'd suggest maybe keeping with pads for now. As long as you keep clean and wash regularly then it isn't really that unhygenic. If you think about it, women didn't have tampons for a very long time and they survived.

At first you usually think about all the things you're going to have to do differently but now I can't think of life without them. It's just natural and there's nothing wrong with having them at all. They become part of your life and, despite the problem with pain that many of us suffer with, they shouldn't really affect your life drastically.

Just remember that it's normal to have irregular periods for the first few years.

[Freud]

If ibuprofen doesn't work then a hot water bottle works wonders. I'll sit there, mid summer hugging a hot water bottle and my male friends will give me wierd looks but know not to ask lol

And I wouldn't really bother with freshening wipes or anything. A period is natural whereas the chemicals and perfumes in the wipes aren't. Regular showers is plenty to keep you clean.

Though personally I'm a bit creeped out by the stories of women using rubber 'cups' [like tampons] and then washing and boilling them and re-using them... Eww...

But most of all don't worry. You get used to it. In fact when it would feel wierd to not have them...

[Louise88]

Aww you'll get used to it

I remember my first period. I was 11 and sitting in my Music class when it started. I had the worst cramp ever, and had to leave to go to the bathroom. I was completely horrified due to the amount of blood, and the fact that I wasn't prepared. Not fun!

You get used to it though, make sure you carry towels/tampons with you just incase. Period pain can be annoying, some pain killers, a hot water bottle and a nice lie down will do you good. Exercise does help, my PE teacher told me that, but I was in so much pain that walking was difficult never mind running about playing hockey!

[Anonymous]

thanks for all the replies. it makes me feel much better knowing other people were kind of horrified too. everyone keeps saying wash regularly. how do you shower and bath? does it not all get over your towels, down your legs and in the water? sorry to be a bit graffic...