Teen finds support online after getting caught 'smuggling' tampons her mother forbid

There are a myriad of menstruation products in the market today for women across the globe. From menstrual pads and tampons to cups, a woman can choose any menstrual product that makes them feel comfortable during their periods. However, that is not the case with this teenager. u/diddlyspayed took to the Reddit community to disclose that she is in a dilemma over using tampons as her mother strictly told her not to. However, the teen girl has been "smuggling" tampons behind her mother's back and experiencing some guilt over it.

"I turn 16 this summer and I’m female. My mom has had a rule that I’m not allowed to use tampons until I am 18. This past summer I gaslit my mom into letting me buy a box. However, there were strings attached: I could only use them when I went swimming. I told my mom that I brought the box to my dad’s house but I’ve actually been using the tampons and I hide them well in the garbage can," the post explained. The teen also revealed that she managed to keep the tampon boxes hidden at her dad's place.

"For many reasons, I prefer tampons to pads because they are way more comfortable. Well, my mom is slowly starting to find out the truth about what I’ve been doing with the tampons. She yelled at me for going behind her back and smuggling them between my parents’ houses. I know what I’m doing isn’t right but I don’t know if I’m in the wrong here," the post concluded. The teen added in a separate comment that "her mom thinks that tampons will take away her virginity" and "she might die from toxic shock syndrome" despite her being responsible with using the tampons. The Reddit community promptly sided with the teen, assuring her that she has the complete right to choose her period products and use them as per her wishes.

u/TCTX73 remarked, "Not even sorry here but it's not your mother's business how you handle your periods. End of story. 'not until you're 18' is a weird flex, too. But I'm also a parent who believes my kids' sexuality is none of my business, so what do I know?" u/GoalHistorical6867 shared, "Sweetie, I'm 64 and I can tell and you can tell your mom for me that if I had had the option of using tampons when I was your age I would have. My mom was old-fashioned and I had to use those bulky pads with the belt. I hated it. So no you are not a asshole. You are a young woman doing what's best for her. You might want to set your mom down and find out why she is like that."

u/etds3 argued, "I think it’s reasonable to not allow an 11-year-old to use tampons (other than for swimming) until they have shown they can be responsible for changing pads. You don’t want a forgetful preteen dying of TSS. But as soon as a child has proved they can be responsible in handling their periods, it should be their choice. Some kids might be that responsible immediately. Others might need a couple of years." u/AceSquirrelDesigns added, "I don't even need to read this. Kid, just know that your mom is insane and that you need and deserve personal hygiene products."