First Period Guide for Teens & Parents – What to Know and How to Prepare
The first period, also known as menarche, is a major milestone in every girl’s life. It marks the beginning of puberty and the body’s journey toward fertility. For many girls, it can be confusing, surprising, and even distressing. That’s why early education, empathy, and the right guidance from parents and access to a trusted gynecologist in Punawale can make a world of difference.
A Parent’s Role: How to Prepare Your Daughter for Her First Period
Helping your daughter understand her changing body is an important part of parenting. Here’s how you can support her:
- Use simple language to explain what periods are and why only girls get them.
- Scientific name: Menstrual cycle or menstruation.
- Biology behind periods: Every month, the ovaries release hormones that prepare the uterus for pregnancy. If fertilization doesn’t occur, the uterine lining sheds and causes bleeding through the vagina.
- Introduce terms like uterus, ovaries, and vagina as part of normal anatomy.
- Use age-appropriate books, videos, or visual aids to make the explanation easier.
Be Supportive and Encourage Dialogue
- Let her ask questions and express her feelings.
- Share your own experience to build comfort and trust.
- Remind her there’s no shame in getting periods—it’s a natural, healthy process.
Period Preparedness Kit
- Provide her with a small period kit: sanitary pads, a clean pair of underpants, and a zip pouch to carry in her school bag.
- Teach her to ask a trusted female adult or friend for help if she ever forgets her supplies.
First Period Tips for Teenage Girls
Periods usually start between ages 10 to 15, but every girl is different. The first 1–2 years may involve irregular cycles, lighter flow, and unexpected bleeding. Here's what girls should know:
🔹 Physical & Emotional Changes
- Development of breasts, underarm hair, and pubic hair
- Possible mood swings
- Mild cramps in the lower abdomen
- Stains and surprises during early cycles
Hygiene & Self-Care Tips
- Always carry a sanitary pad and extra underwear.
- Change your pad every 4–6 hours to stay fresh.
- Take a regular bath to feel clean and confident.
- Wrap used pads and dispose of them in the dustbin—never flush.
- Wash your hands before and after using the toilet or changing pads.
- Wash the genital area front to back to avoid infections.
- Wear clean, breathable undergarments daily.
- Eat a nutritious diet, get adequate sleep, and stay active with light exercise.
- Use a hot water bag for period cramps if needed.
Additional Tips for Parents
- If your daughter misunderstands something, gently correct her with the right facts.
- Reassure her that periods are not dirty—they’re a beautiful part of becoming a woman.
- Encourage her to return to normal activities like school and sports.
- Talk openly about unexpected periods, stains, and mild pain—these are common and nothing to be ashamed of.
- Let her know that pain is normal, but if it’s too intense or disrupts her daily life, she should see a gynecologist.
When to See a Gynecologist?
It’s a good idea to consult a gynecologist for teens if:
- Period pain is severe or interferes with school or daily routine
- Bleeding is too heavy, soaking through pads within an hour
- Periods are absent by age 15, or have started but stopped suddenly
- Menstrual cycles are extremely irregular or longer than 38 days consistently
📍 Visit Hera Clinic – The Best Women’s Health Clinic in Punawale
Whether you're a concerned parent or a teen looking for support, Hera Clinic offers expert gynecology care in a friendly and respectful environment.
- Dr. Sairandhri Kate-Shinde at Hera Clinic, Punawale, is a compassionate and experienced gynecologist specializing in teen reproductive health. She offers a safe, non-judgmental space for girls and young women to understand their bodies.
- Address: Shop No. 8, Ground Floor, Infinity Cube D-Wing, 44/1/2, Malwadi, Punawale, Pune 411033
- Website: www.heraclinics.in