Tampons or pads please help?

i live wt my father and i have never met my mother.....i just started my perioud and niether of us know what to buy....i have pads for now but i have heard that u can't swim with them.....please ...

i live wt my father and i have never met my mother.....i just started my perioud and niether of us know what to buy....i have pads for now but i have heard that u can't swim with them.....please help.....

♥ εmιlч ωεmιlч ♥	I use pads, but for swimming you have to use a tampon (either that, or miss out). If I'm ever wearing trousers that are any colour other than black, my period is heavy, and I'm going out, I will use both a tampon and a pad just to prevent any possible leakages. I rarely do that, but you might want to have tampons handy just in case you want that little peace of mind! They are fairly easy to use - if you read the instructions and have a little practice, you should be fine. Don't worry about them getting lost inside of you - it can't happen! But make sure you change them every 4 to 6 hours for hygiene reasons. Pads need to be changed less often - every 6 to 8 hours, unless they look like they need changing more frequently. If I were you, I'd generally use pads, but it won't harm you to experiment with tampons so you know how to use them and have them there for when they are needed. Oh, and if you ever start a period and don't have pads handy, just fold up some toilet roll neatly (quite a few layers) and place it in your underwear until you can find a pad! It's not worth stressing about - nobody will be able to tell so don't worry! Anyway, that's probably more information than you needed, but I remember when I started my period and it wasn't much fun! So I thought I'd tell you too much rather than too little :)

FGABAL_Alias	Pads are SOO much better and healthier for you. Tampons can cause bad infections if not changed every couple of hours. When you are just starting out, you should first get into the habit of everything with pads. Then once you get into a cycle, you could move up to tampons if you feel like you'd have no problem changing it all of the time. Because you HAVE to change it, even if you don't need to go to the bathroom. It can be a hassle, esp. at school or work when you first start out. If you are an avid swimmer.....try to stay away from the pool if you have your period. Otherwise use tampons for swimming only.

cheerleader	I would start out with pads personally. No, you can't swim with them but.......tampons are pretty tricky to get in if you have no experience. Definitly start out with pads!

rhoffing103	you can't swim with pads, you can see them and they probably don't work underwater. Tampons aren't as easy as they sound for a lot of girls, they are hard to get in at first. My first tampon took me two days to get in, like hours each day, and it hurt, but don't be afraid to use them because of me. Use Pads for now, but when you buy tampons buy the slender, small ones, they will be easiest to use. Just wait until your period is over to go swimming.

Jackie P	Tampons are definitely more comfortable but you are at higher risk for getting TSS. (toxic shock syndrom) I would go with pads but if you think that you can remember everytime to change your tampon the choice is really yours.

BabyCheeks	tampons are a lot more comfortable and convenient. however, when you buy them, make sure to read the insert becuase tampons are associated with Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), a serious illness that may lead to death. But it's rare and can be avoided if you use them properly. But tampons are so much better! Plus, they're way more sanitary

Jenny	no you can't swim with pads. when i first started my period i used pads for about a month but it was so uncomfortable for me to be sitting in that all day. if you feel you're ready i'd go with tampons...that's what i did but it totally depends on what you feel the most comfortable with...there's no right answer here..hope this helps sweetie! good luck!

Beth H	Sweetheart, you will find that during certain situations one is better than the other. If you want to swim, by all means use a tampon! But when you are through swimming, a pad is always safer. It is common to use both. I have a heavy flow and I have to do that myself. A good pad to start with is the Regular Always Maxi Pads with Wings. It isn't too big, but it keeps most leaks at bay. Have an aunt or someone you trust show you what tampons might be right for you.

buttercup	pads you can't swim with pads but if you really really really want to swim you should get a tampon

Terri	Since you have pads, use them. Go out and buy some tampax pearl lites to try first, they are slender and have a plastic applicator which are great for first timers. Yes, you cannot swim with pads as they will soak up water like a diaper. You must use a tampon or moon/diva cup if you plan on swimming on your period.

enquirer 88	Pads are the easiest option for beginners. But if you want to go swimming a tampon is a must. The directions for proper insertion are in the pack, it can be tricky, but you'll get the hang of it. Applicator tampons are the best.

linelle77	I would have to agree with starting off with pads. Starting your period is a huge change for you to begin with. So start off simple and use pads until you're comfortable enough with your body and know just how heavy your flow may be. Knowing that will help you determine the right tampon for you.

The Guillotine PART 2 ♥	start off with pads definetly!tampons rlly hurt...so wear them maybe in a year or so when u get used to ur period.and yea, u cant go swimming..thats what sucks about them,but jsut wait till ur done with ur period and swimm as much as u want!

Chandi	Start with pads. They are simpler. Tampons may be good for you later, but it takes a certain level of comfort with your body. You can't swim with pads.

tina	You can't swim with pads, but as you just started, I recommend you stay with pads for a short while. You can move onto tampons when you are ready

drmchaser72	Get some of both. Use the tampons for swimming and like others have suggested try the smallest ones first because they can be a little uncomfortable to insert. I use just pads and just don't go swimming when I have my monthly curse because even when I use tampons I have to use a pad anyway because the darn things leak. Maybe it's just me, I don't know.

lady	Start with pads till you are older. You can hurt yourself with tampons if you do not know what you are doing. I think it is time for a physical with your doctor to make sure everything is healthy. I also advise finding an older woman to help you to sort out some of the other physical symptoms you will begin and most likely are experiencing. The school nurse can help you if you do not know where else to turn. I am saddened to hear that you never knew your mom. Congratulations you have just started your journey into motherhood. Welcome to the sisterhood.

tickled blue	you can't swim with pads....you will need tampons. Get the slender/junior size and change them about every 3-4 hours. Just follow the instructions inside the box.

ღ♥♦ღ♦♥ღReality Bites♥♦ღ♦♥ღ	no u cant swim with pads. get tampax pearl or tampax juniors or slender and read the directions on the box. do you have an aunt or girl cousins around?? just go to the store and get always Pads. look at the boxes and get what absorbecy you need. :;-)

(:	yeah i started off with pads but moved on to tampons just this year! :)

Cort:]	pads

4 ur eyes only	Hiya, i only ever use pads. Like you say you can't swim with pads and only with tampons. But id start off with pads and if swimming is a big part off your life and then eventually go onto tampons when you go swimming.

estatitra	start with pads.when u swim use tampons.dont forget the risk of ''Toxic Shoch Syndrome'' with tampons.

Julianna, loveExp.	haha =P .. wel dont you worry! i suggest you go with pads first; because pads r more comfortable and i dont use tamponn because its not comfortable and i donno how to put it! lol; soo go with "always" because they have like sizes you can choose from; and.. no u cant swim with them

Megan M	I used pads till I wanted to go swimming on vacation and learned by reading the box how to use a tampon. If move to tampons start with the lite or regular tampons before trying super. Sometimes people have allergies to them and can get sick. Plus the lite and regular are smaller and have easy to use applicators and can help the ease of getting used to them. Plus, use pads at night and tampons only when you need them, like when going swimming. Always read the instructions with the box and relax when inserting them so you don't hurt yourself. If you have a aunt or grandmother or even a best friends mom can be a big help if you want someone to talk to.

Temmah B	No, you can't swim with them. If you want to try tampons, then get the smallest ones first. They can be a little uncomfortable to insert in the beginning but you get used to it.

immerliebe16	you should start with pads first. and no you cant go swimming with them but i do anyways if i dont have anything else its not a bad thing to do. tampons you can swim with you just need to remember to chage it about every 4 hours. do whatver you feel comfortable with

KTD	Tampons!! No one will ever know you're wearing it. You can go swimming with a tampon, you can go running, riding a bike, and you dont feel like you're wearing a diaper. You can wear cute tight pants or shorts and not feel like you look like you have a camel toe. Tampons are great. Lots of women wear pads to bed at night, but I still use tampons and have never leaked on my sheets, and I get heavy periods at times. Tampons are a life saver, LOVE THEM!

Jarrod M	Molly said tampons are more comfortable and u can swim with them.

Amélie R	Start off with pads. No you can't swim with them. Move on to tampons when you're a little older.

mrs w	no u cant swim wearing pads and they leak and also u can smell in them, tampons all the way if u put them in right then they wont hurt just us a little vaseline on the tip and use applicator there ok for as long as 8 hours and no leaking you can swim in them just make sure the string is on the outside so u can pull it out x i was in the same position dont worry it will be fine you ever need help just mail me