13 Year Old and Periods

No, it is entirely dependent on the circumstances of the individual. Contraceptive pills or implants taken for medical, rather than contraceptive, reasons have the same psychological impact as any other drugs that alleviate a problem. Of course they can eliminate hormonally induced mood swings as well.

It is a possible side effect, but my period gave me way more anxiety than my pill ever does.

Apparently, Chamomile Tea is a natural remedy for Period Pain; I wouldn't feel comfortable with girls that age taking the Pill. Contraception is inextricably linked to increased anxiety in young women and girls.

I couldn't deal with tampons and struggled with the texture of disposable sanitary pads. I trialled moon cups but I struggled to find one that suited me (there are a lot of different shapes, sizes, and stiffnesses) and if your daughter is struggling with the texture of blood they may be unsuitable. So far I have had the most success with reusable pads, they don't leak, they're a lot more absorbing than disposable ones, and they are a lot less sensorialy distressing, I also have dark grey ones so the sight of blood is a lot less obvious, especially if you change them frequently. Mine are largely machine washable with an extra rinse cycle on a low temp so there isn't the issue of hand washing and seeing the blood then either. I am told that period pants do a similar thing. They are expensive when you first buy them but because they are reusable I think it took 3-4 cycles for them to be the more economic option. 

I have really awful PMS, particularly mentally, so my GP and I are currently trying to reduce and maybe remove my period through the use of the combined pill, so I'm getting periods a lot less. I suggest discussing this option with your GP if they are so upsetting that she can't go to school.

Also, do talk to your daughter, see if she can explain exactly what the issue with her periods is, that way you can do more targeted problem solving. Hope some of this helped.

My autistic daughter had unusually heavy periods on an approximately three week cycle. Because of this she started with a contraceptive pill that eliminates periods when she was 15. It solved the problem, and she has not experienced any negative effects, she is 21 now. I believe that implants can have the same effect in eliminating periods, they last for a number of years and there is no problem about remembering to take a pill. 

It’s a huge change for any girl but especially when you’re autistic. Is there a particular reason she feels she can’t go to school?does she think people will smell it? I have a really strong sense of smell, I’m sometimes convinced I can smell mine (especially the post partum one!) but I can honestly say I’ve never smelt anyone else’s. Have you tried dark coloured period pants instead of pads? Some are super expensive but I think Primark have a range now. More comfortable than pads and won’t show the blood so much. When she becomes more regular definitely teach her how to track them so she can have a few days to mentally prepare herself for it coming (maybe easier said than done with pms!) and also physically prepared, having knickers/pads/liners ready to catch it starting. If she really really can’t settle into them when they become regular then maybe you could ask a doctor about the Pill, mine has stopped my periods and I love it 

100% cotton tampons may really help. You can order a bit of stock online if you can't find them in the shops. But they're much more healthier than ones with polyester (which is a by-product of petroleum and threads from an oil or tree fibres repel liquid rather than absorb.) This can be used with a very thin pad while learning to use them. It's just an awkward discussion which maybe an aunt or cousin can help with! 

Another possibility would be to find really interesting books on the biology and this natural occurrence with females in the animal kingdom (humans included) and the process for re-creating life on our planet. Perhaps if she can identify with something beyond herself or the science of it, it might be something she can better tolerate. 

Hello, I don’t have any similar personal experience. I do find the smell of blood too strong though. Periods can be really overwhelming not only sensory wise, but also because emotions are heightened. I think periods are distressing for a lot of autistic people.

This book might be useful, it is written by an autistic person:

The Autism-Friendly Guide to Periods
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Autism-Friendly-Guide-Periods-Robyn-Steward/dp/1785923242#

I hope this helps you and your daughter.