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How to Explain Your Daughter’s First Menstruation

Don’t you wish someone knew what to say during your first period? Or if you’re a father, don’t you wish you know how to properly answer your daughter’s questions about it?

Girls react differently to their menarche, or first period, that is why it’s important that the girl gets the right information about her period and not feel embarrassed or scared about the changes she’s going through.

Tell Her About the Menstrual Cycle

While this is taught in schools, it’s even more important once your daughter has her first period. At this point it’s important to let your daughter understand that her body is now capable of becoming pregnant. A menstrual cycle triggers the release of hormones that will help prepare the body for pregnancy. The hormones create changes in the lining of the uterus and stimulate the maturation and release of the egg cell. The egg then travels into the fallopian tubes and falls apart if not fertilized. The bleeding is the result of the breaking down of the uterine lining.

Teach Her How to Track Her Cycle

Once she knows what is happening to her body during the menstrual cycle, she will be able to track it more easily using the calendar. This will allow her to observe the days of her period and to make predictions about her next one. However, remind her that her menstrual cycle will still be irregular during her first year, so, it’s okay not to have a 28-day cycle. But you need to take her to the doctor if her periods come often every 21 days or if the periods are more than 45 days apart.

Talk About Flows and Protection Methods

Tell her that there will be days when she has a heavier flow and that there are different methods of protection she can choose from. Young girls are advised to use sanitary pads that need to be changed every 4 hours. Some girls might prefer tampons, but make sure that she knows how to use it and is comfortable at the idea of using it. Tracking her flows will also let her know if her period is normal, because an unusually heavy flow with cramps will need medical attention right away.

Teach Her Proper Hygiene

Once she has been given instructions on how to use and properly dispose sanitary pads and tampons, remind her that it’s the right time to practice proper hygiene. Showering regularly and keeping her body odor-free should be her top priority, because her body is going through a lot of changes. Laundry issues will plague her, too, no matter how careful she is, so teach her how to remove blood stains effectively on her clothes and sheets.

Talk About Other Concerns

Your daughter will feel other changes in her body associated with her period, such as cramps, tender breasts, and back pain during her period. These can be addressed by taking pain relievers and having adequate rest.

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