First Period of Your Daughter – Guide for Parents
The first period of girls can be distressing and a surprise for your daughter. Hence, give prior information to your daughter to avoid a bad experience, surprise, or shame feeling.
- Educate your daughter about periods in very simple words, the science behind it, why only girls get them.
- Periods – scientific name: menstrual cycle/menstruation.
- Menstruation: As a girl grows into a woman, her body will become ready to have a baby. Every month ovaries release hormones for the lining of the uterus. If there is no fertilization, the lining breaks down and there is bleeding from the vagina.
- Explain what is uterus – female reproductive organ, ovaries – produce an egg every month, vagina.
- Use books, videos, and pictures to explain her.
- Give her time to understand it, let her ask questions, and listen to her.
Your First Period – Guide For Teen
- 1st period can be disturbing and distressing.
- Commonly occurs between ages 10 to 15.
- 1st period also called menarche – starts the menstrual cycle & beginning of fertility.
- Girls may notice breast development, underarm & pubic hair & mood changes.
- Importance of menarche – important milestone during puberty, it’s a boon to all girls, no shame, one should be proud of it.
- Periods vary in length for every girl – initially it may be early/short.
- There can be cramps in abdomen, mood swings etc.
- Periods can be unexpected in the first few years – period stain & pain.
Things to Remember for Teens:
- Period can arrive unexpectedly.
- Carry a sanitary pad and an extra pair of underpants in your bag.
- Hygiene – regular baths.
- Disposal of pads by wrapping & putting them in the dustbin.
- Self care – take good diet, good sleep & do normal activities & exercise.
- Change pad every 4-6 hrs.
- Wash hands before & after using the toilet/pads.
- Wash the genital area properly from front to back.
- Wear clean undergarments.
Additional Guidance for Parents
- If she is not correct, correct her, and give proper information.
- Explain to her about its natural process.
- Give her your experience of 1st periods.
- Explain about unexpected periods – can come, period stain & pain – it happens to every woman in lifetime.
- Give her pad/pads + pair of undergarments/kit to carry in bag in case of emergency.
- If by mistake if she doesn’t have pad she should ask for help from an elder woman/friends.
- Encourage her during periods – good food, rest, return to normal activities, hot water bag for pain abdomen.
- Explain that period pain is also a normal process, but if it is intolerable, consult a doctor.
- Explain that initially periods can be irregular & can be very less (mostly 21–38 days range), and bleeding can be from 2–8 days.
When to Consult Doctor?
- If periods are very painful – disturbing regular activities.
- If bleeding is too heavy.