Menstruation

Hi

My daughter has always used the combined Pill. Initially she was on Yasmin for 6 months (we waited until she was having 'proper' periods before starting the Pill, she was a bit irregular for the first few months) Everyone noticed how much more aggresive this Pill seemed to make her so she then switched to Microgynon (an older style combined Pill) which seems to have suited her better.

I always see the GP at my surgery who has the Gynacology specialism DRCOG & MRCGP as the other Doctors are less helpful. (As I've had some problems myself, when we moved house my then GP told me what specialism I needed to look for)

We have bad acne on both sides of the family so I started my daughter on a twice daily cleanse, tone, mosturise regime which has worked really well (she uses either Boots own 'simple' range or Body Shop Vitamin D range as she also has excema).

Good Luck, twin girls must be really hardwork

Thank you for your reply, can I ask is your daughter on the mini pill or combined pill? I have literally just got a prescription from the doctor, as recommended by the paediatrician for the mini pill for both of them, but we haven't started it yet. the gp  said it may stop their periods altogether, or make them irregular, which isn't the reason the Paediatrcian suggested it, and has now left me confused and not sure what to do. 

The whole point is to make them less heavy and regular, and maybe ease their spots which they suffer with quite badly. Also like you I wouldn't want their periods stopped altogether I wouldn't want another issue in the future if they had to come off the pill again! 

My daughter is now 16 and also at the lower functioning end of the spectrum. I must admit that I dreaded her starting her periods and we did have some problems but after 4 years she now copes much better with the process. The contraceptive Pill really helps my daughter (& helps me manage the process) as we know exactly when she will be 'on', how long the 'period' will last and it is lighter than a 'normal' period. Some Parents keep their daughters on the Pill without a break but after teaching my daughter with visual timetables, how to manage her needs each month, I didn't want her to lose this skill.(especially as she might need to come off the Pill possbily later in life)

I did a cutting and sticking magazine picture exercise with my daughter to help her understand the difference between women and baby/toddlers. When she started her periods at the age of 12 she had only been out of night time nappies for around a year and I was concerned she would see the pad like a nappy. There are some good books around now to help with personal care issues, I have found: Taking Care of Myself by Mary Wrobel, really useful.

Can your daughter's school do a pictorial social story for your daughter about doing a Poo down the toilet and not in the pad? Although my daughter has very poor understanding levels, I find pictorial social stories really helpful with managing her behaviours.

Hope this helps

For the mini pill etc., sorry but you do need to speak to the GP about the various options or the practice nurse. 

Hi mumoffour.  It's worth considering that it might be period cramps making her lose some control.  Lots of women get gastro issues around that time of the month too so it's a possibility its just happening more urgently. There's not much you can do about this except encouraging her take more regular toilet breaks and more rest or painkillers if she's in pain. I'd advise against the pill unless you've tried all other options- if she's getting a regular periods it's not a good idea to mess with them unnecessarily.  Having twin girls going through it at exactly the same time must be tough!

About the pads summersun- that definitely sounds like a sensory issue and you should find alternatives instead of wasting energy trying to make her use them if theyre just too uncomfortable.  I know you can buy fashionable looking knickers online that's are washable for women/girls who can't stand the usual options. Sorry I cant remember what they're called though. Try making her as comfortable as possible during her period too- her favourite soft clothing etc. 

Hope you both find solutions if I couldnt help X

Hi. I am not sure I can help much but understand having a sympathetic doctor might help Your situation... Definitely something I will consider down the line. 

How did you get your daughter to wear a pad. Mine started her period and she won't wear one and soiling her clothes, the bed etc..l I've tried explaining why she needs it but since she has no sense of personal hygiene it's difficult.  

Thankyou for your reply, I think I will have to go back to the GP as it is getting very difficult to cope with it. It would be very helpful to me to be able to speak to other parents out there whose daughter has gone onto the mini pill or had the injection so I can get some info??? Please  

Harsh I know but pooing into a pad is kind of coping from the point of view of the GP.

From our point of view I am aware there is much much more but know they won't instantly use the pill or other things because it best at times to stick with nature.

Have you more than one GP in the practice?  If you have you could try them perhaps?

Sorry I have no other way of suggesting how to help though but it does seem that she could be confusing the pad to nappies. Thinking of you xxx