It's scary enough when you get your first period without it knocking on your door! Especially when you get it while traveling, in schools, or in functions - places where you won't find your mom & dad nearby. It becomes highly important for parents to let their daughters know about it in advance and prepare her as much as possible such that she ain't lacking in her knowledge to handle it with patience.
Well, all the Moms & Dads - learn all the ways on this page to prepare your girl for her first period.
What is Menstruation and what results in it?
Menstruation generally is the outcome of puberty. It tells you that your body has become capable enough of reproduction.
Your estrogen level will intensify with every menstruation cycle. Resulting in the thickening of the uterus lining, it helps in developing a fertilized egg which further helps in getting pregnant. If the egg isn't fertilized, the uterus lining breaks down by our body which further propels it out of the body. This entire phenomenon results in bleeding which we call menstruation.
When does the first period take place?
The first period generally happens between the age of 10-14 I.e, 12 years on average. It will last somewhere from 2 to 7 days. The exact age of the first period generally depends on -
- Genetics
- Geography
- Body Weight/Height
- Nutrition
- Ethnicity
- Existing sickness
- Stress levels
- Daily Diet
- Work out/Body movements
You will start seeing symptoms before it arrives -
- Yellowish faded white-colored vaginal discharge
- Breast development (Puberty)
How does the body react when you are about to get the first period?
Symptoms faced few days before your first period will be overwhelming. It will come and go without bothering you much, however, proper knowledge of it is quintessential to make sure you can tackle it at the time it arrives. Your body will react in the following way -
- Lower abdomen Pain
- Breast Enlargement
- Hip Side Aching
- Vaginal Discharge
- Nausea
- Acne
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Food cravings
- Mood Swings
- Uneasiness
- Diarrhea
- Losing consciousness
How to prepare your teenage daughter for her first periods?
Usage of essentials - Tell your daughter that she has multiple options to handle her period well without ruining her clothes. From sanitary napkins, tampons to underlining panties - get her all to make sure she is at ease in her first period! As disclosed by 'Metzger' she can't think of letting her child having periods without the period essentials. She even suggested online site like 'Mylola.com' where supplies of FIRST-PERIOD-KIT is possible.
Empowerment is the key - Empower your daughter with positive thoughts, also tell her to help other girls if she sees them facing difficulty during their first period. Tell her she can use hot water bags, and adopt some meditation practices to stay calm while her periods are on.
Educate her with the signs she might witness - Tell her about all signs she may encounter in and out when her first period is close. It will make her ready to cooperate with the situation well in advance. Tell her not to panic when she faces such changes in her body as breast tenderness, mood swings, lower wetness, lower abdomen pain, exhaustion, etc.
Situation Handling Skills - when she is away from home - Dr. Patterson as per his research reveals that 'Girls are terrified of using pads with the fear of it getting either leaked or not working to absorb enough blood'. Let that fear shed away. Don't force her anything - she may use tampons further in life once she is mature enough to work with pads. Teach her that if she is in her school, she needs to immediately take permission from the class teacher and enter the girl's washroom to check. If she has the pad, then it's well and good but if she doesn't have it, then ask her to go to the sick room of the school to take help.
Ask her to always make sure that she carries at least two pads on her bags whenever she is out for a camp or any other purpose. Teach her how to open it and stuck it on her panties. Tell her to change it after every 6-7 hours. Let her also know what she should do if she is a swimmer.
Uncover all the physical details - As per the author of The Care and Keeping of You series - Cara Natterson, M.D pediatrician, 'Uncover all the false perception related to the first period that our lives are limited by having a period.' Tell your daughter that her day-to-day tasks can be done as usual in periods too, it's not a disease or a sickness. Dr. Patterson also suggested removing the fear from daughters that 'it's endless free-flowing blood.' It's not more than 3-4 tablespoons of blood on the initial days, so there ain't anything to worry
about.
Till how long should you wait to get the first period?
You should wait till at least 15 years of age for your first period to arrive. If even after 15, you fail to get it, then you probably must consult your doctor. This delay might happen due to irregular exercises, unhealthy food, stress, and other existing illnesses. However, if you see that your breast has started developing from 2-3 years and still you aren't getting your first period then with the proper checkup, little changes in your diet, and the recommended medication you will get it as early as possible.
Facts about Menstruation -
- The average age for the first period was between 14-15, US - 1900.
- As per data, it's possible to ovulate even before your first period.
- As per planned parenthood, an average of 6-7 tablespoons of blood is lost every menstruation period.
- Using the same pad for more than 6-7 hours can cause irritation all over your vaginal area in and out leading to vaginal cancer.
How to track their periods?
The tracking period isn't a difficult task at all! Generally, your period cycle is for 28 days. Although it can be for 21 to 45 days for some people. It's normal in whichever category you fall!
It normally takes at least 6 years for your body to learn how to adapt to the particular pattern. Only after this many years, you start having the period at the regular interval of time. You can use the below applications to keep a track of periods every month -
- Flo Period & Ovulation Tracker
- Fitbits
- Clue Period Tracker & Calendar
- Eve Period Tracker App
Final Words - Being supportive as a guardian to your child is what matters the most! Teach her that it's normal to get her first period. Educate her with every pros and cons before she panics! For at least the initial three months, take care of all her necessities like panties, pads, pain killers, diet, exercise, clothes, and other menstrual products till the time she learns to handle all by herself with ease. Also, tell her about pregnancy and other precautions she needs to take - you need to prepare her for all the situations. You as a guardian are what she will require the most at this beginning!
References -
https://www.yourperiod.ca/normal-periods/your-first-period/#prepare
https://www.healthline.com/health/first-period#overview
https://www.parents.com/kids/development/puberty/how-to-prepare-your-daughter-for-her-first-period-and-make-sure-it-doesnt/
https://www.verywellfamily.com/getting-her-first-period-at-school-or-camp-3288360