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Step 1
Ask your mom (or dad) about using tampons first, as soon as you feel like you'd like to try them. Your parents need to know about any decisions you make that may affect your health or body.
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Step 2
Listen to your mom's response. If she says no, listen to her and try to find out exactly why she is unwilling to have you use tampons.
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Step 3
Read discussions online with other mothers. Lots of parents use online forums to discuss issues like the appropriate age to start wearing tampons, so you may be able to use these websites to better understand the kinds of misgivings parents have, even if your mom doesn't exactly know why she doesn't want you to wear tampons.
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Step 4
Learn about Toxic Shock Syndrome. TSS is a potentially fatal bacterial infection that can result if you leave a tampon in for longer than seven or eight hours. Your parents may be especially concerned about tampons because of the risk of TSS, but if you can prove to them that you know the risks and how to avoid TSS, you may have a better case.
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Step 5
Assure your mom that you can be responsible for your own body. Don't just get upset if she says no to tampons--instead, make her realize that you take the issue seriously and appreciate her concern.
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Step 6
Make a final choice that you are comfortable with. If you absolutely need to use tampons to safely participate in certain activities (like swimming), but your parents have cultural or social aversions to them that you disagree with (like believing that you will no longer be a virgin if you use tampons), consider purchasing tampons on your own without telling your parents. While it's best to have an open relationship with your parents, especially about health-related issues, you may have to accept that you have small differences that can't be resolved.
