You can buy them yourself. As far as your age goes. Just ask your mom for the money and you go get them yourself. But you need to ask other girls your age what kind they are using. Don't just go in there and blindly buy something that you not sure about. As an adult you still have to use a pad on the first & maybe second heavy day. They make a ultra thin pad or a extra heavy pantie liner to wear with the tampon for security. Better safe than sorry! Do some research on Google or Yahoo so you will fully understand everything about them. The dangers and the positives! Then I suggest you try one or two from a friend before deciding to use them.