Teaching your daughter about menstruation

As a child grows, many changes begin to occur as they begin their journey towards adulthood. The time can be particularly angst-filled for young females as their body begins to behave in ways they are unfamiliar with and in ways that they are not prepared to deal with. To that end, it is important to ensure that you give your daughter all the information that she needs regarding the menstrual cycle so that she will know what to expect and the actions that she needs to take in order to properly adjust. First and foremost, it is important to know the age at which girls begin to menstruate. Studies have shown that most females begin the period of menstruation around the age of 12 or 13, but some girls can start their cycles as early as age 9. For that reason, it is important to make sure that your child at least knows the basics of the cycle at a young age. Don’t try to overload your daughter with information; slowly explain the cycle to her while she is at a young age so that she isn’t overwhelmed by all the adjustments that she will have to make when the time comes. To start talking to your daughter about the menstrual cycle, you might want to ask her if she has any idea about what kinds of changes her body will make in the coming years. She might have picked up some knowledge from other girls at school. Some common questions that your daughter may have about menstruation may include the following: When will it happen? Is it going to hurt when I get my period? What do I do if I’m at school when I get my period? If she asks when menstruation will begin, you should let her know that it starts at a different time for every girl and that she does not need to worry if she is one of the first of her friends to get it or if she is one of the last. One common guideline that doctors use for when it comes to determining when a girl will start to menstruate is that it tends to take place approximately two years after breast development begins. This way, you can get a good idea of when your daughter’s first period will occur. Before the first period occurs, girls may expect to have a thick, clear discharge from the vagina for a few months. If she asks whether or not getting the period will hurt, you should let her know that a lot of women experience cramping when their cycle is about to begin. Let her know the basics of PMS, and also be sure to tell her that pain relief pills can be helpful when it comes to keeping the symptoms of PMS to a minimum. If your daughter asks about what she should do if she gets her period at school, you should tell her that it is a good idea to keep a tampon or a maxi pad in her backpack or purse just in case. Pads may be a better option for a girl beginning her period as it is easier to get used to. Hopefully, this article helped to clear some things up for when your daughter asks you about her period. Best of luck!