Remember when your daughter was playing with a doll yesterday, and today you need to have a period talk with her…
Ah, the night has changed so fast, and here is your grownup girl whose first reaction will probably be,
EWW, Periods??? GROSS!!
Don’t worry; we have come up with the best ways you can explain menstruation to your daughter. From letting her know about how her body works to choosing the right sanitary pads, we will guide you all.
So, grab your cup of coffee, sit back, and scroll down. The time has come for The Talk!
Get Prepared for Period Talk
Well, having this discussion with your daughter might be a little uncomfortable for you as well as for her.
So, it’s better to choose the right time and the right place. Go to a place where you can talk privately and easily with her without any distractions.
Moreover, to make the environment comfortable, you can bring along coffee and snacks or take your daughter out for dinner or a picnic. This can build a relaxed space, and moving forward with menstruation talk will become easier.
Explain Her Unique Menstruation Timing
Take a start like menstruation is a normal and natural part of a woman’s life. Every woman’s cycle and menstruation time are different.
Moreover, they don’t cause you harm or pain. However, you might feel a little discomfort, but it’s part of womanhood. Introduce her to period pads for women and how to use them during periods to avoid mess. For the first 2-3 years, the periods might remain irregular, and cycles are longer; however, later, the period cycle becomes shorter and regular.
When Do Most Girls Get Their Period?
Some girls start periods at the age of 12, some at the age of 14. So, there is no need to worry about being early or late. Tell her that they last up to 7 days and this cycle repeats once every month. Plus, the length of the menstrual cycle falls anywhere between 21- 30 days.
Tell her about using sanitary pads, how to use them, when to change them, etc. However, if her skin is sensitive, ask her not to panic; there are period pads for sensitive skin, too. They keep her skin free from itching and rashes.
Tell How Hormones Start Her Period
When girls hit a specific age of 12-14 years, their hormones take a crazy turn. The fluctuation in hormones, typically female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone, cause periods to start.
Explain to her that girls are born with ovaries in which thousands of eggs are present. Each month, there comes a time when an ovary releases one mature egg that goes down through the fallopian tubes; if that egg gets sperm to fertilize, pregnancy happens. However, if there is no sperm, the eggs, along with the thick uterus lining that was being prepared to keep the baby in the womb, start shedding in the form of blood. That’s your period!
You start bleeding from that day for up to 7 days. Bleeding might stop anywhere between 3-7 days, and that’s normal. Moving forward with period products, make her known with pads for girls. There are different types of pads to make you feel comfortable and worry-free from leakage issues. Specifically, if the flow is heavy, the pads with wings are most popular. Because they give extra protection from period stains and let you continue your routine tasks.
Understand the Phases of the Menstrual Cycle
There are four phases of the menstrual cycle. Read below to understand in detail. It will help you guide your daughter more effectively:
Menstrual phase
When your uterus lining sheds, it starts going out of your body in the form of blood. This bleeding can be heavy and painful or light with mild cramps. Moreover, it lasts up to 7 days.
Follicular phase
It starts from the very first day of your period. The hormonal changes allow the lining of the uterus to start getting thick again, and follicles start growing. One of the follicles becomes a mature egg. This phase remains from the first day of the period till the 14th day usually. We can say that it overlaps the menstruation phase and ends with the ovulation phase.
Ovulation
Typically, this phase starts around the 14th day of your menstrual. One of the ovaries releases a mature egg that goes down to fertilize. However, there are high chances of getting pregnant if you have unprotected sex around the ovulation phase.
Luteal Phase
After the ovulation phase, the egg goes into the uterus; if it gets fertilized with sperm, the pregnancy happens, and the uterus keeps thicking its wall to protect the fetus.
However, if you don’t get pregnant, the uterus lining starts shedding and you’ll have your period. Then, the whole menstrual cycle will start over again.
Wrapping Up
So, that was all. Let your daughter know that it is normal and every girl has to go through this. Moreover, guide her on using pads and tell her how embrace pads are best for periods. They keep you protected from leakage, bad odors, and also rashes. Moreover, they are affordable and easily accessible too.
Take away the key points, like telling her how this happens when this happens, and what the reason behind this process is.
She might react like EWW but don’t be surprised! Remember when you were first told about periods? This exactly was your reaction, too!
Now it’s your turn to tell her how incredible a female body is and what wonders it can do!
FAQs
Can a girl get pregnant as soon as her period starts?
Yes, a girl can get pregnant as soon as her period starts. Because this process activates the hormones and makes them ready for getting pregnant.
How long do periods last?
Periods can last for upto 7 days. Some may have periods for 2-3 days while some keep bleeding for 7 days. However, the flow becomes lighter gradually.
How often does a period happen?
Periods happen once in every month. The menstrual cycle of each woman is different. However the typical menstrual cycle is between 21- 30 days.
When Should I Call the Doctor?
Pain and cramps while bleeding are normal. However, if you feel unbearable pain that won’t go away even after painkillers then go to the doctor. Plus, if your girl is over 15 years old and her periods haven’t started yet then please consult your doctor.
