Girls only!! Period worry.?!

It may be coming soon, when it does show-up that's a good thing because it shows you're healthy, there are a lot of positives about periods it's just a matter of learning to deal with them - don't worry!

Don't use tampons for the first few cycles.
The reason being that they risk TSS, amongst other risks, using too high an absorbency increases your risks because they are more drying to the vagina so cause more damage which is a factor in TSS. For your first few cycles your flow may be too light to use tampons or may be irregular, until you know your flow better you won't know what absorbency to use.

If you do use tampons make sure you know to follow precautions; change every 4-6 hours, don't use during light flow, overnight, before your period or if you have an infection, wash hands before use, ideally use cotton brands like Cottons over rayon tampons, alternate with pads when possible, always use lowest absorbency. Learn symptoms of TSS and infections so you know what to do too.

Menstrual cups are a much better option.
Menstrual cups are internal like tampons but are safer with no health risks so no risk of TSS or infections, thus they can be worn from your first period, and unlike tampons cups can be worn before your period in case your due your period on a day you're swimming, during light flow, and for up to 12 hours so you can go all day without changing or needing to carry spares.

Cups are better for swimmers in particular as nothing shows outside the body, they don't absorb water, they don't contribute to menstrual cramps like tampons do instead menstrual cups can lessen cramps, and they don't leak like tampons do.

What are menstrual cups? - http://www.scarleteen.com/article/body/w…

There are other similar options too - softcups and diaphragms are similar to menstrual cups although can leak and are a bit more tricky for young women to use as they go higher in your vagina.

Youre probably starting so late because of your petite size. Don't worry, tampons are no big deal. You may have some trouble getting it in at first, but you'll get it. I promise. I was the same way, and now I don't use anything else. I'm sure tons of other girls on your swim team use tampons (:

I'm a girl. (:

Don't worry hunny. If you put a tampon in correctly it will not hurt. You'll feel it there, trust me, but it should be completely comfortable. After using tampons for a while you'll forget you're wearing one.

Experience.

Tampons are fine, once you have them in properly you wont even know it's there and you can swim just like you normally would.

You can swim on your period if you have protection...... don't ask how I know that.