This is the time of year that many teen girls consider using tampons for the first time because they want to swim with their friends, and do more types of other outdoor water activities, such as boating, water skiing, water tubing, canoeing, kayaking, water parks, etc.
Along with hearing from teens, in the spring and summer, I hear from more moms about their daughters’ angst about using tampons. Basically, moms want to know how they can make it easier for their daughter to learn to use tampons. While there are many stories of success, there are also some that include tears, frustration and some shock once the daughter learns that the tampon goes into her VAGINA. Rest easy all, as there is absolutely no reason to change your fun plans or alter any of the wet summer activities. And Moms: You can be your daughter’s most trusted expert.
First, I would start out by telling your daughter that many girls feel unsure about using tampons for the first time. However, once she learns, it is something that will allow her the freedom to do what she couldn’t do with just pads, as her only option.
A make it easier to insert suggestion: For first time users, plastic applicator tampons with a rounded tip offer a more comfortable insertion experience. Make sure to begin with the lightest absorbency for the need. Importantly, have your daughter practice tampon insertion when she is on her period. Tampons should never be used when anyone is not menstruating, even to practice.
As far as what to do next, there is really great information and tampon insertion instructions at beinggirl.com, along with experiences from other girls who have tried tampons for the first time. Your daughter will also find some free sample offers. Teens tend to think that they are alone when it comes to feeling unsure about tampon use. It always helps them to know that other girls had the same angst while learning to use tampons.
Just bringing up the topic with your daughter will help her know that you get it. In fact, share a fun story about when you started using tampons. You can also tell your daughter what your mom did to support you or NOT!! Bet your daughter will enjoy hearing about that. My daughter couldn't believe that my mom gave me a big fat wide pad with a pad belt to use, regardless of the season. Along with that, she handed me a page out of the newspaper that was part of pile that she had ready for period time. My instructions were to use the pad then wrap it in the newspaper and dispose of it DISCREETLY in the bathroom waste can. NO KIDDING!! I learned to use tampons thanks to a best friend with a more enlightened mother experience. My motivation was huge.
My final bit of advice: Use sun protection and enjoy the summer with your daughter – when she can squeeze you into her busy fun schedule!
Would love to hear your experience!
Beinggirl.com:
http://www.beinggirl.com/article/how-to-use-a-tampon/?utm_source=247moms.blogspot&utm_medium=NurseElaine&utm_content=link20110527&utm_campaign=comm_mgr
Friday, May 27, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011
Incontinence Management: Real Men Use Always Pee Pads!!
Being a women’s health expert, I usually focus on a woman’s experience with medical issues. However, a friend recently told me about her elderly, yet vibrant dad and his management of urge incontinence. Some people focus on the positive and find humor in even the most uncomfortable of problems. That is what my friend’s father does. She told me he calls his Always Pads: Pee Pants. And, that is exactly what they are for him.
His incontinence issue isn’t severe enough to warrant a full pant and the pads seem to be working just fine for him. They are less cumbersome and, he says, make him feel less like an invalid.
My friend trusts my medical advice and often asks me questions about health conditions, medications and products. Not much I could say to her about this except to be glad that her Dad found something that works and that he didn’t feel embarrassed to buy. In fact, he believes that the cashier assumes that he is buying the pads for someone else and that he is just a sensitive guy that can handle purchasing menstrual protection products. You gotta love that attitude (remind me to blog about my husband’s attitude and experience purchasing period products I needed once).
The reason that I am writing about this is so that others may get some ideas of alternative ways to manage male incontinence. Of course, all types of incontinence, regardless of whether it is a woman or man experiencing it, are best managed by seeing a health care professional first to understand why this is occurring. Once the diagnosis is made then options for management can be determined. Just so you know, my incontinence mantra is: INCONTINENCE IS NOT A NATURAL PART OF AGING! In fact, I read that incontinence is one of the more difficult aspects of managing senior parents. Nice when it doesn’t have to be overbearing for the caregiver or the care receiver.
In case you are interested or have a need, below is a link to the Always Maxi LeakGuard Plus Super Odor lock that my friend’s dad uses.
http://www.always.com/products/detail/maxileakguardplus?utm_source=247moms.blogspot&utm_medium=question&utm_content=link20110520&utm_campaign=comm_mgr
His incontinence issue isn’t severe enough to warrant a full pant and the pads seem to be working just fine for him. They are less cumbersome and, he says, make him feel less like an invalid.
My friend trusts my medical advice and often asks me questions about health conditions, medications and products. Not much I could say to her about this except to be glad that her Dad found something that works and that he didn’t feel embarrassed to buy. In fact, he believes that the cashier assumes that he is buying the pads for someone else and that he is just a sensitive guy that can handle purchasing menstrual protection products. You gotta love that attitude (remind me to blog about my husband’s attitude and experience purchasing period products I needed once).
The reason that I am writing about this is so that others may get some ideas of alternative ways to manage male incontinence. Of course, all types of incontinence, regardless of whether it is a woman or man experiencing it, are best managed by seeing a health care professional first to understand why this is occurring. Once the diagnosis is made then options for management can be determined. Just so you know, my incontinence mantra is: INCONTINENCE IS NOT A NATURAL PART OF AGING! In fact, I read that incontinence is one of the more difficult aspects of managing senior parents. Nice when it doesn’t have to be overbearing for the caregiver or the care receiver.
In case you are interested or have a need, below is a link to the Always Maxi LeakGuard Plus Super Odor lock that my friend’s dad uses.
http://www.always.com/products/detail/maxileakguardplus?utm_source=247moms.blogspot&utm_medium=question&utm_content=link20110520&utm_campaign=comm_mgr
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Pale is not a dirty word: In other words, tans are not a prom necessity!
May is Melanoma Awareness Month. It is also the month of Proms, which means glamour, hair, nails, dresses, shoes and handbags. When in heavens name did tanned skin become part of the beauty ensemble??
To take a step back, I recently had a dear friend get diagnosed with malignant Melanoma. Within two weeks, he was gone. While this is crazy, it is too terribly true. As a result, his daughters, his widow and his dear friends, of whom I am proud to call myself, are committed to helping others avoid his horrid fate. I miss him lots. This blog is dedicated to Marky!
A conversation that was overheard recently at a spa (I do get pedicures on a vibrating chair in a room with pleasant therapeutic aromas) was a teen talking on a phone to a friend about scheduling her tan time at a local salon to prepare for prom. Well ladies: Sun tanning salons presents a risk of skin cancer, along with natural sun tanning.
Let’s talk some facts: The statistics about this most dangerous form of skin cancer are alarming. It is the eighth most common cancer in the US and its incidence is increasing faster than any other cancer over the past 20 years. It is now the most common cancer in young adults aged 25-29. Yet, this deadliest form of skin cancers is nearly 100% curable when caught early.
While virtually anyone can become a victim of melanoma, some are at greater risk than others. If any of the following describe you, it is even more imperative to proactively protect your skin. These include: anyone exposed to large amounts of sunlight or tanning beds; a personal or family history of melanoma; fair complexions or red hair and anyone with a history of moles/large pigmented blemishes.
While my expertise is women’s health and not dermatology, I do know enough about Melanoma to provide tips on what we might do to manage the risks for melanoma that everyone can do: First, protect yourself from the harmful effects of the sun. Cover your skin and/or wear a sunscreen with at least sun protection factor of 30 and whose label says it provides broad-spectrum protection from both UVA and UVB rays. Second, wear a hat, preferably one with a visor or rim that protects your face, as well as your head. Third, check yourself regularly for changes in moles or anything else that looks suspicious. Don’t overlook your scalp—ask your stylist or barber to check it whenever you have a hair appointment. And, fourth, see a medical professional annually for a full body scan or more frequently if you have an unusual growth or change in a mole or growth.
There is a great article on beinggirl.com on practicing safe sun. Check it out as, it could save your life or someone you know and love – literally.
http://www.beinggirl.com/en_US/articledetail.jsp?ContentId=ART568&utm_source=247momsblogspot&utm_medium=NurseElaine&utm_content=link20110510&utm_campaign=comm_mgr
Back to the prom: for those that are getting ready for the big dance or helping their child prepare. Please, please, please focus on the beauty of jewels, the matching tux, after prom activities and the big DATE, not on the need to tan the skin. Have fun and I am looking forward to hearing prom stories!
To take a step back, I recently had a dear friend get diagnosed with malignant Melanoma. Within two weeks, he was gone. While this is crazy, it is too terribly true. As a result, his daughters, his widow and his dear friends, of whom I am proud to call myself, are committed to helping others avoid his horrid fate. I miss him lots. This blog is dedicated to Marky!
A conversation that was overheard recently at a spa (I do get pedicures on a vibrating chair in a room with pleasant therapeutic aromas) was a teen talking on a phone to a friend about scheduling her tan time at a local salon to prepare for prom. Well ladies: Sun tanning salons presents a risk of skin cancer, along with natural sun tanning.
Let’s talk some facts: The statistics about this most dangerous form of skin cancer are alarming. It is the eighth most common cancer in the US and its incidence is increasing faster than any other cancer over the past 20 years. It is now the most common cancer in young adults aged 25-29. Yet, this deadliest form of skin cancers is nearly 100% curable when caught early.
While virtually anyone can become a victim of melanoma, some are at greater risk than others. If any of the following describe you, it is even more imperative to proactively protect your skin. These include: anyone exposed to large amounts of sunlight or tanning beds; a personal or family history of melanoma; fair complexions or red hair and anyone with a history of moles/large pigmented blemishes.
While my expertise is women’s health and not dermatology, I do know enough about Melanoma to provide tips on what we might do to manage the risks for melanoma that everyone can do: First, protect yourself from the harmful effects of the sun. Cover your skin and/or wear a sunscreen with at least sun protection factor of 30 and whose label says it provides broad-spectrum protection from both UVA and UVB rays. Second, wear a hat, preferably one with a visor or rim that protects your face, as well as your head. Third, check yourself regularly for changes in moles or anything else that looks suspicious. Don’t overlook your scalp—ask your stylist or barber to check it whenever you have a hair appointment. And, fourth, see a medical professional annually for a full body scan or more frequently if you have an unusual growth or change in a mole or growth.
There is a great article on beinggirl.com on practicing safe sun. Check it out as, it could save your life or someone you know and love – literally.
http://www.beinggirl.com/en_US/articledetail.jsp?ContentId=ART568&utm_source=247momsblogspot&utm_medium=NurseElaine&utm_content=link20110510&utm_campaign=comm_mgr
Back to the prom: for those that are getting ready for the big dance or helping their child prepare. Please, please, please focus on the beauty of jewels, the matching tux, after prom activities and the big DATE, not on the need to tan the skin. Have fun and I am looking forward to hearing prom stories!
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
My Brush With Incontinence
I have blogged before about incontinence talking specifically about stress incontinence. This blog will be more about the other kind of common incontinence, Urge Incontinence. Below is a definition that I copied from WebMD that provides a succinct, easy to understand definition:
Stress incontinence and overactive bladder (OAB) are the main causes of incontinence. Stress incontinence, which is more common in women, causes urine to leak when you laugh or cough. Overactive bladder, also called urge incontinence, is caused by urinary muscle spasms that cause an urgency to urinate. Incontinence can also be caused by multiple pregnancies, being overweight, and genetic weaknesses.
The reason that I am posting today is that three weeks ago I had major back surgery. For weeks before, along with intermittent excruciating back pain for years and based on an MRI and an x-ray, I was scheduled for back surgery, which I truly welcomed. The surgery was supposed to take an hour and my plan was to take a week to recover and then onto my usual life happenings. WELLLLL that isn’t the way it turned out.
My simple surgery turned into a 3-hour complex removal of old scar tissue in my lumbar 4-5 area; most likely from a previous back surgery 10 years ago, along with removal of bone pressing on nerves. WHOOO HOOO!! Needless to say, when I awoke from the anesthesia I had a lot of stuff happening that I hadn’t planned. During surgery, my doctor found that scar tissue and bone had been pressing on the sac that contains nerves to my bladder and bowel area. The sac tore during my surgeon’s effort to remove the bone that was adhering to the sac. Not his fault, as I truly believe that there was no way to do that without a tear.
Now the fun part (I am being sarcastic): As I came out of the foggy mess of anesthesia I could feel I had a very full bladder. Not a surprise, since I had a lot of IV fluids and didn’t have a urinary catheter. In any case, I pulled the call button for some help, since I couldn’t maneuver the IV stand and all of the technology I was hooked to on my own. You have to know, that being a nurse, I sure tried. Even though help came rapidly, it wasn’t fast enough. When I stood up for the first time, I peed on myself and on the floor. Along with that, and quite scary too, my bottom was numb. It was kind of like the feeling you get when you sleep on your arm or lay funny on your leg and then there is tingling as the sensation returns. Talk about feeling totally helpless and frightened.
As I began to understand more about what I was going to have to manage, I just shook my head and thought that this isn’t going to be easy. While I couldn’t feel my bottom, I could tell when my bladder was full. Perhaps, I could control my bladder after all. I could and can fortunately. However, there were still some tenuous moments when my bladder would become full and I worried about whether I would make it to the bathroom in time. So far I have.
While I am in the recovery period (and will be for 3 more weeks), I think often about those women who never regain the ability to control when they urinate. I understand their frustration and their ongoing compromise to their life. My tush area is still numb after 3 weeks and I can’t sit for very long comfortably. But every day I get more and more feeling back. Time will tell if it all comes back. I just feel so grateful that I don’t have to use pads to manage uncontrollable leaking. As I told my surgeon: before my surgery, I used to go to the bathroom so frequently that I was thinking I had an urge incontinence problem. Now it is so much better, despite the numbness that remains. Also, no more horrid pain to my leg and back as a result of compressed nerves!
A day after surgery and my notorious wetting the floor incident, I was sure I was going to have to use Always Maxi LeakGuard PLUS with Odor Lock for the rest of my life. And, I would have gladly if I needed to because nothing was going to keep me from traveling and from visiting my fabulous grandchildren. But, I don’t need to do that. However, I will always understand when someone has to go the front of the line in an event bathroom, when someone needs to use pads to manage their incontinence or when an aisle seat is needed because someone has to get up quickly to use the bathroom. Being a nurse and a fairly sensitive person, I thought I got it before. NOT LIKE NOW!!
Being an Always and Tampax women’s health expert, I was glad that I at least know and totally trust that Always products are comfortable and hold true to the advertising claims. I realize that I am being commercial, but sometimes that is OK. After all, for me, knowing there are Always products available that I can use to avoid smelling like I peed my unders was reassuring while I was dealing with the unknown. While I feel like I am doing well, I am still not 100% and appreciate the backup at times.
This is a rather personal blog, but I don’t mind sharing if it helps someone in some way. At least, please know that I get it and am always willing to listen to concerns, respond to questions and link to information that may be helpful. To that end, below is a link to Always Maxi LeakGuard PLUS with Odor Lock, should you have that need.
http://www.always.com/products/detail/maxileakguardplus?utm_source=247moms.blogspot&utm_medium=NurseElaine&utm_content=link20110503&utm_campaign=comm_mgr
Stress incontinence and overactive bladder (OAB) are the main causes of incontinence. Stress incontinence, which is more common in women, causes urine to leak when you laugh or cough. Overactive bladder, also called urge incontinence, is caused by urinary muscle spasms that cause an urgency to urinate. Incontinence can also be caused by multiple pregnancies, being overweight, and genetic weaknesses.
The reason that I am posting today is that three weeks ago I had major back surgery. For weeks before, along with intermittent excruciating back pain for years and based on an MRI and an x-ray, I was scheduled for back surgery, which I truly welcomed. The surgery was supposed to take an hour and my plan was to take a week to recover and then onto my usual life happenings. WELLLLL that isn’t the way it turned out.
My simple surgery turned into a 3-hour complex removal of old scar tissue in my lumbar 4-5 area; most likely from a previous back surgery 10 years ago, along with removal of bone pressing on nerves. WHOOO HOOO!! Needless to say, when I awoke from the anesthesia I had a lot of stuff happening that I hadn’t planned. During surgery, my doctor found that scar tissue and bone had been pressing on the sac that contains nerves to my bladder and bowel area. The sac tore during my surgeon’s effort to remove the bone that was adhering to the sac. Not his fault, as I truly believe that there was no way to do that without a tear.
Now the fun part (I am being sarcastic): As I came out of the foggy mess of anesthesia I could feel I had a very full bladder. Not a surprise, since I had a lot of IV fluids and didn’t have a urinary catheter. In any case, I pulled the call button for some help, since I couldn’t maneuver the IV stand and all of the technology I was hooked to on my own. You have to know, that being a nurse, I sure tried. Even though help came rapidly, it wasn’t fast enough. When I stood up for the first time, I peed on myself and on the floor. Along with that, and quite scary too, my bottom was numb. It was kind of like the feeling you get when you sleep on your arm or lay funny on your leg and then there is tingling as the sensation returns. Talk about feeling totally helpless and frightened.
As I began to understand more about what I was going to have to manage, I just shook my head and thought that this isn’t going to be easy. While I couldn’t feel my bottom, I could tell when my bladder was full. Perhaps, I could control my bladder after all. I could and can fortunately. However, there were still some tenuous moments when my bladder would become full and I worried about whether I would make it to the bathroom in time. So far I have.
While I am in the recovery period (and will be for 3 more weeks), I think often about those women who never regain the ability to control when they urinate. I understand their frustration and their ongoing compromise to their life. My tush area is still numb after 3 weeks and I can’t sit for very long comfortably. But every day I get more and more feeling back. Time will tell if it all comes back. I just feel so grateful that I don’t have to use pads to manage uncontrollable leaking. As I told my surgeon: before my surgery, I used to go to the bathroom so frequently that I was thinking I had an urge incontinence problem. Now it is so much better, despite the numbness that remains. Also, no more horrid pain to my leg and back as a result of compressed nerves!
A day after surgery and my notorious wetting the floor incident, I was sure I was going to have to use Always Maxi LeakGuard PLUS with Odor Lock for the rest of my life. And, I would have gladly if I needed to because nothing was going to keep me from traveling and from visiting my fabulous grandchildren. But, I don’t need to do that. However, I will always understand when someone has to go the front of the line in an event bathroom, when someone needs to use pads to manage their incontinence or when an aisle seat is needed because someone has to get up quickly to use the bathroom. Being a nurse and a fairly sensitive person, I thought I got it before. NOT LIKE NOW!!
Being an Always and Tampax women’s health expert, I was glad that I at least know and totally trust that Always products are comfortable and hold true to the advertising claims. I realize that I am being commercial, but sometimes that is OK. After all, for me, knowing there are Always products available that I can use to avoid smelling like I peed my unders was reassuring while I was dealing with the unknown. While I feel like I am doing well, I am still not 100% and appreciate the backup at times.
This is a rather personal blog, but I don’t mind sharing if it helps someone in some way. At least, please know that I get it and am always willing to listen to concerns, respond to questions and link to information that may be helpful. To that end, below is a link to Always Maxi LeakGuard PLUS with Odor Lock, should you have that need.
http://www.always.com/products/detail/maxileakguardplus?utm_source=247moms.blogspot&utm_medium=NurseElaine&utm_content=link20110503&utm_campaign=comm_mgr
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