Teenage girls begin their first period, on average, between the ages of 10 and 14. Although about half of the young population menstruate, this can still be very frustrating for some teens and parents. In a world where gender equality and diversity is increasingly known and understood, the time has come to dispel the misconceptions about menstruation.
In the Dolly Doctor column of Dolly, an Australian-based magazine, some of the questions from young girls in 2004 were as follows:
- I'm 15 years old and I haven't had a period yet. I have a sister who is two years younger than me. Is there something wrong with me?
- Each of my periods happens on different dates. While one day is heavy, I don't bleed for two days and then it comes for another four days. Sometimes it's heavy, sometimes it's light, but it always seeps into my bed. I'm also afraid to use tampons. What can I use to prevent it from leaking?
- Are heavy menstrual cramps normal? However, these are not like normal, because I can't get out of bed and I have to change pads 4 times a day. Is this bad or normal?
- I'm confused about where to put the bumper. Please help me.
These questions asked in 2004 are still being asked today.
The Downsides of Not Talking About Menstruation
Prejudices about menstrual periods can have very real and harmful consequences for adolescents. These can include things like school exclusion and child marriage (because the menstrual period is considered sexual maturity).
Moreover, these problems are not unique to low- or middle-income countries. According to studies, menstrual pain is normalized by many people and prejudices against menstruation persist even in high-income countries. This can delay the detection of serious problems such as chocolate cysts.
5 Supporting Suggestions for the First Menstruation
You can use the suggestions below to support your child who will menstruate for the first time.
Focus on what you expect
The first period may be light and may be short-lived. The first menstrual period may be in the form of brown spotting instead of blood flow that lasts for days. Focus on what your child may experience during their first period.
The menstrual cycle is not fully settled in the first few years and during this time the cycles can be irregular. This does not indicate that there is a problem.
Tell your child that her first period may be staining with light soiling of her underwear, may be painless, or she may experience lower back pain or cramp-like pain.
Examine menstrual period products together
Review all products used during menstrual period with your child. If you don't have many products at home already, check out the website for pads, menstrual cups and tampons. You can even order them as they will be used later.
Although disposable pads are used more today, reusable products have also started to become widespread. Explain to your child how they are used. Show her that tampons or menstrual cups are safe to use. Adolescents who swim, play sports, dance, or engage in other activities may need to start using such products immediately.
Talk about how to manage difficult menstrual periods
The first menstrual periods can be painless as well as painful. Teach your child how to deal with menstrual pain. Over-the-counter pain relievers can be effective when used early in the menstrual cycle.
Teach your child how to deal with menstrual products when they are unavailable or leaking, at school or outside. You can also talk to the friend's parent about her period if she's staying at a friend's house.
Let them know you can get help
Inform your child that if they have menstrual problems, they can seek medical attention. Nowadays, things like menstrual pain, heavy bleeding, and PMS are encouraged not to be normalized. After all, these are inconveniences and every young girl has the right to be healthy.
Make a menstrual kit together
The menstrual period kit may contain books about the menstrual period. You can also prepare a small bag and put the following in it:
Sanitary pads or menstrual linen
Spare underwear
pain relief pills
With adolescence, most teenagers enter a strange period. But it would be perfect to view first-time menstruation as something commonplace and not associate it with stigma, embarrassment, or embarrassment. Therefore, by establishing good communication with your child in the early period, you can prepare him for this new stage of his life. When you do this, you can create a dynamic between you and your child where he can share his concerns with you throughout his life.
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