Your questions answered

If you’ve asked us a question we will post the answer on this page anonymously, or you might just want to have a look at some of the questions other women have asked us.

Our parents section also has lots of help information including tips on how to talk to your daughter about periods. You might also want to have a look at our becoming a teen site which has been designed as a source of help and advice for young girls about periods, puberty and growing up.

Sanitary protection

Which products should I advise my daughter to use when she starts her period?
We recommend your daughter uses towels for her first few periods as she adjusts to the changes in her body.

Lil-Lets has a range of Teens ultra towels, specially designed shorter and narrower to fit younger bodies. Available in both day and night versions, they come in pretty bags with removable sleeves and whisper wrappers, for that all-important extra discretion.

ONce your daughter's menstrual cycle has settled into a routine and she becomes more comfortable and confident, she may prefer to try out Silk Comfort compact applicator tampons.
Can my daughter use tampons when she starts her period?
Yes. Some girls may find compact applicator tampons easier to use at first, before switching to non-applicator tampons once and our website along with the leaflet in contained in each pack will give her lots of useful advice on using a tmapon for the first time.

Head to our becoming a teen website with your daughter to find out more about choosing the right product, and watch our animated video on how to insert a tampon correctly.

First period

How old will my daughter be when she starts her period?
All girls develop at different times. Some might start their period as young as eight, while others might not start until they’re 18. The key thing for your daughter is to understand periods are a natural part of being a young woman.
My daughter is 16 and hasn’t started her period yet, is this normal?
Yes, all girls develop at different ages. However, if you are concerned you can always visit your GP to ensure there are no underlying medical problems preventing her period from starting.
My daughter’s first period has lasted six weeks, is this normal?
During puberty, the increase in hormone production can cause irregular periods. While it’s not unknown for a period to last for six weeks, if you have any concerns it’d be worth popping to your GP just to make sure there are no underlying medical conditions.

Talking to your daughter

Should I wait for my daughter to ask me about periods or should I bring the subject up?
It’s important you chat about the subject before your daughter starts her period so she knows what to expect and is prepared. If you notice discharge in her underwear it’s likely she’ll soon start her period, so talk to her about the products she’ll need when the time comes.

Miscellaneous

Are the teen panty liners unscented?
The Lil-Lets teens range of pant liners are not scented and ideal for girls new to sanitary protection.
Good evening Vicki. I would like to know how to approach my eleven yearold daughter about periods. I know she has lots of disharge and sometimes cramps. I think she is nervous to ask me about these things. I have a feeling she wants some pads and liners but I am waiting for her to ask me. Finally can you do a living and growing assembly for Goddard Park Primary School in Swindon UK. Can you do it for year 6 classes miss furlong and miss tranham. Thank you.
Hi Jane
Thank you for your e-mail. Starting the conversation about puberty is sometimes as daunting for mum as it is for her daughter. It is very unlikely she will introduce the conversation first and for this reason and to get her into the habit of discussing sensitive issues it’s a good idea to coach and advise your daughter in small chunks rather than telling her all about puberty in one go. This will encourage her to feel comfortable speaking to you about any changes she may notice over the coming years.

Girls very often notice breast development about 2 years before their period arrives and this is a good subject to start off with at your daughter’s age. When the conversation turns to periods speak honestly using the correct terminology so she has a clear understanding of what is happening to her body. Reassure her that periods for some are painless and have very little impact on their daily lives and for those that suffer with heavy or painful periods help is at hand to manage them.

Once the mystery of periods has been explained to them girls very quickly adapt to this new chapter in their lives and more importance is then placed on the emotional side of puberty with relationships with friends, boys and parents taking centre stage.

If you wish I could send you one of our pillow packs as a starting point of the conversation and something that you can look at and go through together. If this is something you are keen to have please can you forward your full postal address and I will send one out.

Finally, if you would ask the PHSE teacher at Goddard Primary School to contact me on the number below I will see if we can assist them.
Hello my daughter is 10 and has started showing signs of starting her periods. But we don't know where to buy your teen range from? We live in a small town and although we do have supermarkets, boots and super drug none of them sell your teen products? Can we only buy them online? Thanks
The teens range of towels and liners are available in most stores and chemists across the country, together with our mail order and online services. If you find your local Boots does not have the product you are looking for they offer a service by which you can order the product and ask for it be delivered to store for free.
Hi, my daughter aged 11 started her periods a few months ago, i feel your teen product would be ideal for her, do you sell them in shops ??? also do you do a little tin, bag that they can put there sanitary product in ??
The Lil-Lets teens range of towels and pant liners are available in most large retail outlets and chemists and for mums looking for something for a school bag we have our Lil-Lets teens starter pack, with everything a girl needs for the arrival of her first period sold exclusively to Boots the Chemist.
Hi my mum dide and i find it very embarressing to talk to my dad about my periods im going on holiday in 3 days and i dont know how to tell him i may need to use a tampon for swimming instead of sanitary towels xxx please help :( xx thanks x
I am so sorry to hear that your mum is no longer around and I appreciate at this time you may need to chat to someone about periods and products. It might be a good idea to ask your dad if you can have a small amount of money to purchase your own toiletries including sanitary protection so you can choose the products right for you whilst on holiday. If he is unwilling to do this then at least this will have opened up the conversation and you can tell him your reasons why you wanted to shop for yourself.
my daughter wants to use tampons but i am worried she wont be able to insert them, friends say you can coat them in vaseline, is this something you think she could do?
There is no medical reason why a girl cannot use tampons as soon as her first menstrual cycle arrives, but most prefer to start with towels and move on to tampons after five or six periods. Usually the problem of insertion is down to nervousness that can very often make the vaginal walls contract. Make sure your daughter reads the leaflet held inside her pack of tampons and understands that like anything using tampons can take a bit of practice. Whilst there is nothing inherently wrong with using a lubricant to aid insertion, I would not recommend the use of Vaseline as this will coat the tampon disrupting its absorbent properties. It would be far better to use a water based lubricant like KY Jelly.
Hi, please could you tell me the difference between a day towel and a liner? My daughter is 12 and showing signs that she may be about to start her periods. Also when is it recommended to use a tampon if she wanted to?
Whilst there is no medical reason why a girl cannot start using tampons as soon as her period arrives, here at Lil-Lets we always advise they girls use towels for the first five or six periods they have so they can grow accustomed to their monthly cycle and the amount of menstrual fluid lost. About 6-12 months prior to the arrival of their period girls very often notice discharge or feel anxious about being out and about and their period starting. This is when we advise the use of a pant liner; liners will keep girls feeling fresh and catch the menstrual fluid if it arrives unexpectedly, thus giving peace of mind. Once a period has truly started they should then move on to towels these will offer them more absorbent protection from leaks.
Hi this question is about my daughter. My daughter is 13 years old and has just started her periods. could you please send her some information on tampons Thank you.
Why not contact our consumer relations team and request one of our teens sample packs with samples of both towels and tampons and a great booklet with lots of information on puberty and periods that she may find useful.
How do i tell my mum that i have started my period? I dont have anything to use when my period starts and i panic quite a lot i need to tell my mum but im to embarrased???? HELP
Please don't be embarrassed and remember that your mum was once a teenager too and will welcome your news. Why not ask if you can go shopping together one day and you can then browse the sanitary protection aisle and tell her that you need these products now your period has arrived. I am sure you mum will want you to have the protection you need during this time.
how old would you say it is safe for my 16 yr old daughter to start using tampons. also should her periods have started as she doesnt have proper periods at 16?
A girl can in theory use tampons as soon as her first period arrives, but as a general guideline we advise they wear sanitary towels for the first five or six periods they have so they can grow accustomed to their monthly cycle and amount of blood lost before choosing to wear tampons.
I am a man my wife died. My daughter wants to change to tampons, and I've red loads of tips but me and my child still don't know were to insert the tempon. I need help and I need really clear instructions help me!
Thank you for your e-mail and I am sorry to hear of yours and your daughter’s loss. Your daughter may find our Becoming a Teen website helpful, it gives lots of tips and advice on all areas of menstruation and puberty and I am sure she will be comforted to know that a great many girls just like her need a little bit of advice at this most special time in her life.
i have a 12 year old who dances is it safe for her to start using tampons she uses your towels at the moment but when she has dance exams she is not supposed to wear underwear isshe to young to try tampoms she started the periods 5 months ago
There is no medical reason why a girl cannot use tampons as soon as they start menstruating, however we suggest that they use towels for the first five or six periods they have as this allows them to become accustomed to their menstrual flow and regularity of their monthly cycle. If your daughter feels comfortable trying internal sanitary protection she may like to try Lil-Lets Silk Comfort compact applicator tampons in our Lite absorbency, ensuring both she and yourself read the instruction leaflet enclosed with every pack of tampons. Alternatively you could have a chat to your daughter's dance teacher to see if she is happy for her to wear some discreet underwear when she is menstruating.
my 14yr old daughter thought she'd started her periods, had a couple of days of spotting and nothing else has happen 6 weeks later. As all teenagers she's very vague. Is this normal?
Yes this is perfectly normal, very often girls find the first 18 months of their periods are very irregular. This irregularity can range from gaps between periods of several months and the level of flow lost. Once your daughter’s hormones have settled into a more natural routine her period should do the same
My Daughter had her 1st one in January and now in march is it every 2 months considering this patern?
During the first 18 months of a girl’s menstrual life periods can be very irregular and it is not unusual for girls to have a gap of a few months at a time. It may be a good idea to ensure she has some pant liners available to her so her underwear is protected when she is at school.
my daughter is 12 and doesnt feel comfortable talking about periods so when i start talking about them she just doesnt want to know which then makes me feel awkward so i dont know how to talk to her if she needs any advice or someone to talk to.
Puberty is a time of change not only for young girls but for their mums too and it can be very difficult to know how to approach this delicate subject. Lil-Lets speak to many thousands of teenagers every year and have gained a sound insight into the way they are feeling. The subject of talking to mum comes up for conversation frequently and our tips are to be open, honest and short when opening the talk on puberty and periods. Usually all girls want to know is that mum understands and is there for any questions or guidance they need. Why not order our teen sample pack off the website and leave it in your daughter's room with a little note telling her that you understand she may have questions and you are there to answer them whenever she is ready.
My daughter is 13. Can she use tampons as we are going on holiday.
Yes, she can and she may find our Brand NEW Lil-Lets teens mini tampons ideal as they have been designed to be shorter and narrower just for girls. They are currently available in Sainsbury's and Tesco or via our online website store.
My daughter is 15 years old and has just started her period, when can she start using a tampon?
I would confirm that there is no medical reason why a girl cannot use tampons as soon as soon as she starts to menstruate, however as a guideline we always advise that girls have five or six periods before they use internal sanitary protection allowing them to get used to both their flow and monthly cycle.
My daughter is 16 and wants to use tampons, however, as a vegetarian, she wants to use a company that doesn't test on animals. Can you please let us know whether you test on animals?
I would confirm that Lil-Lets do not test their products on animals and should any information be required on our products we utilise our consumer panel for research purposes.
my daughter keeps saying her belly herts will it have anything to do with periods
It may do, if she is entering puberty the body very often likes to have a few practice runs as to how it will release menstrual fluid when a period arrives, so lower abdomen and groin cramps are very often experienced. Usually a little gentle exercise is all that is needed to ease these pains and a nice long walk with your daughter will also give you an opportunity to let her know you are here to talk if she has any concerns regarding puberty and periods. Finally, tampons can be worn a soon as the first period arrives but we always suggest girls use towels for the first five or six periods they have so they can grow accustomed to their flow and cycle.
My ten your old daughter has not started her period yet she wears pant liners but she has quite big breasts and has pubic hair she sweats a lot and has had the fluid about 6 months ago do you know when she might start her period.
Discharge is very often noticed anytime between six to twelve months before the first period arrives, so I think it is safe to presume that your daughters period could be with her fairly soon. Girls are very often concerned about discussing this topic with their parents and often look to mum to initiate the conversation. If you feel your daughter may be ready to discuss sanitary protection and periods then you may want to consider purchasing her first pack of sanitary towels, our Lil-Lets teens towels range is designed to be that little bit shorter and narrower than other towels so younger girls notice less discomfort and more importantly feel there is a product designed especially for them at this very important stage in their lives. We also have a downloadable booklet that she may find useful on periods and puberty.
Please can you help my nine year old daughter has just started her periods bit concerned when it comes to swimming as whether she is to young for tampons
9 is quite young for a girl to be starting her periods and this must be a very new and mysterious stage in your daughter’s development. Whilst there is no medical reason why a girl cannot use tampons as soon as her first period arrives, this does depend on the individual and how comfortable she is with her body. As a rule of thumb we always advise girls use towels for the first five or six periods they have, so they become accustomed to their menstrual flow and monthly cycle. Unfortunately it may be that your daughter may have to miss a few swimming dates until she is ready and comfortable with internal sanitary protection and a little bit older.

If she does decide to use tampons it is very important to read the leaflet enclosed within every pack that will give full health and safety advice on the use of tampons and the very rare illness Toxic Shock Syndrome.
so I started my daughter swimming and she has just started her period i would of taken out of swimming but two reasons stopped me 1)she has been going swimming for 1year and 1/2 and 2)I have to pay, how old is the most appropriate age to use tampons?
There is no medial reason why a girl cannot use tampons as soon as her periods commence. However we always advise that girls have at least five or six periods before they start using internal sanitary protection, this allows them to become used to not only their monthly cycle but also the amount of blood lost during each cycle too. If your daughter feels she would like to use tampons when swimming then she should try using tampons on the heaviest day of her period as insertion will be easier, making sure she reads the advice held within every pack of tampons.
My daughter does a lot of gymnastics and now her period is here I find she is becoming increasingly aware of her sanitary towel. She is 13 is this too young to start wearing tampons!!
There is no medical reason why a girl cannot use tampons when menstruating, it really depends on the girl herself and how comfortable she feels about using internal sanitary protection. If your daughter seems keen to try them, then she may benefit from the freedom tampons can bring especially when active. We have two excellent videos she can watch that show how to insert either an applicator or non-applicator tampon and some tips I would offer are to let her try when her period is at its heaviest; usually days 2 and 3. Some girls find if they give a little cough just as they are about to insert the tampon it can help insertion ensuring the tampon is placed high enough into the vaginal passage.
I have recently given birth, can you tell me if its okay for me to start using tampons when my next period arrives.
Firstly, congratulations on the birth of your baby! Whilst I appreciate that a great many women will want to go back to using tampons once their baby is born, it advisable that tampons are not used until after your post natal check-up. The reason behind this is that immediately following birth your vaginal muscles may be weaker than they were pre-birth and there may be an increased risk of infection if the wound found at the uterine wall has not completely healed.
What are the other things my daughter should keep in her school period kit other than liner,tampons and pads? And where should she store so that she should not get embarresed while carrying pads everytime hiding them?
The Lil-Lets teens starter pack is ideal for girls who believe their periods may be with them soon. The beautiful cosmetic bag holds towels, tampons and an information booklet written by me that will give your daughter lots of tips on both puberty and periods. There is also enough room in the bag for her to add in some wipes and underwear if she wishes. The starter pack is sold exclusively to Boots the Chemist and larger branches stock this item. Alternatively you can order one direct from our online store.

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