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How to tell your daughter about her period? A doctor told us
28.05.2023 12:16
The first menstruation is a significant and sensitive moment, a physiological transition when a girl becomes a woman. Discussion of women's health is one of the key topics of communication between mother and daughter.
Many parents feel embarrassed and awkward before explaining all the details of puberty to their child.
Lyudmila Artyushkevich, a doctor at the HappyDerm medical center, notes that if a girl hears false information about menstruation at school or among her peers, she may experience fear, anxiety, and a feeling of vulnerability.
Usually, girls start menstruating at the age of 12-13, but it is considered normal if it occurs between the ages of 9 and 15.
Breast development begins about two years before the first period. The appearance of pubic and armpit hair usually occurs about six months before the onset of menstruation. This period is the most opportune for an important conversation.
There are two strategies
The first strategy involves telling a story about periods in response to the child's questions. A girl may notice an ad for pads, find them at home, or hear something from her friends.
If your child is interested, calmly and openly explain about female physiology, using expressions that your child can understand.
The second strategy involves starting a conversation about menstruation, if the daughter herself does not ask questions, at the age of 7-8 years. It is important to have this conversation before the onset of menstruation. The conversation should take place alone with the girl in a calm home environment. It is important to talk about menstruation as a normal phenomenon in life, calmly and confidently, using simple and sincere expressions, and express admiration for the female body.
Literature
If your little girl isn't yet familiar with her body structure, now is the time to get out an encyclopedia or book about growing up to tell her and show her the pictures.
Problems
Explain that periods can be accompanied by painful sensations in the lower abdomen and mood changes. Clarify methods for relieving these unpleasant sensations.
Hygiene products
Tell us about comfortable underwear and hygiene products, as well as how to choose the right pads and tampons, how often to change them and use them correctly.
Peculiarities of teenage menstruation
Explain to your daughter that her periods may be irregular and start suddenly during the first year. Therefore, it is recommended to have a supply of pads in her school backpack. Suggest that she keep a calendar so that she can track her cycle.
When to see a doctor
1. The first period began before the age of 9 or did not begin after the age of 15.
2. More than 5-6 months have passed since the first period and there has been no further discharge.
3. During menstruation, severe pain is experienced.
4. The discharge is very heavy.
5. The period lasts more than 7 days.
6. During menstruation, the girl feels severe weakness, dizziness, nausea and vomiting.
It is important that your daughter is confident that you will always come to her aid, share her feelings and help her find the confidence she needs.
