How to talk about periods with your daughter?
- Be open and relaxed Often, either because of your own experiences or the taboo nature of the subject, talking about periods might seem awkward and make you anxious. ...
- Be age-sensitive ...
- Do what works for your daughter ...
- Have many small conversations ...
- Have a healthy tone ...
- Engage with questions ...
- Connect to personal experiences and stories ...
- Cover health issues, hygiene and problems ...
Full Answer
When do you start discussing periods with your daughter?
We need to start talking to our daughters in a general way about periods around the age of seven. Although the average age for starting periods is 12, they can start as early as eight, and occasionally girls are hitting puberty even younger.
What your daughter should know about her period?
Typically, a girl gets her period about 2 years after her breasts start to develop. Another sign is vaginal discharge fluid (sort of like mucus) that a girl might see or feel on her underwear. This discharge usually begins about 6 months to a year before a girl gets her first period.
How to explain periods to my daughter?
Talking to your daughter about periods – is it time for a rethink?
- Having the conversation. We need to start talking to our daughters in a general way about periods around the age of seven. ...
- Introducing the subject. Having the period talk can be intimidating for parents, of course, who may feel awkward and embarrassed.
- Dispel the myths. ...
- Other approaches. ...
How to discuss periods with your daughter?
Method 2 Method 2 of 2: Explaining Menstruation after She’s Started Download Article
- Be calm and comforting. The most important thing to remember when talking to your daughter about her period is to stay relaxed and encourage her to ask any questions ...
- Describe why a period occurs. Explain what happens with the internal female anatomy during a period.
- Discuss the options for hygiene during a period. ...
What do you say when your daughter gets her period?
4 things to discuss with your daughter about her periodsExplain what's going on in her body. Explain to your daughter that these body changes are completely normal. ... Tell her how often to expect a period. ... Discuss the practical aspects of having a period. ... Explain period symptoms and pain.
At what age should you start talking to your daughter about her period?
By the time they're 6 or 7 years old, most kids can understand the basics of periods. Look for a natural moment to talk about it, such as: when kids asks about puberty or changing bodies. if your child asks where babies come from.
How do you talk to your teenage girl about her period?
Try to talk about periods as an ongoing process rather than a formal sit-down talk. You can use TV ads for tampons, or buying sanitary towels at the supermarket, for example, to start the conversation about periods. Or simply ask your daughter what she already knows and go from there. Use clear language, like 'vagina'.
How do you talk to your step daughter about your period?
7 Ways To Talk To Your Daughter About Periods That She Won't Think Are AwkwardInclude Her First Period In General "What To Expect" Health Discussions. ... Go Shopping Together For Supplies. ... Be The First One To Ask Questions. ... Distinguish Period Conversations From "The Sex Talk" ... Let Your Daughter Learn On Her Own.More items...•
What can I give my daughter for her first period?
Your daughter might not be at home when she gets her first period....Equip Her With Must-Have Supplies and Good InstructionsA few pads and/or tampons.A clean pair of underwear.A zip-close bag for dirty underwear.Some hypoallergenic wipes.
Can a 12 year old wear a tampon?
How old should you be to use tampons? There is no minimum age for tampon usage. If adolescents want to use tampons, they can usually begin using them as soon as their menstrual cycle starts.
How long after pubic hair does period start?
Pubic hair – Once her pubic hair starts growing, you can expect her period to develop in one to two years. It may begin soft and thin but it will become courser and thicker towards the end of puberty.
Why is my daughter's first period so heavy?
The first period often is very heavy and painful. Ovulation, or the process of making an egg, helps make a “normal” period. Unfortunately, many girls do not ovulate in the beginning, resulting in heavy bleeding. Some girls also may have a bleeding problem that shows up when they start having periods.
How long does a first period last for a 14 year old?
When you first start having your period, it may last only a few days. Your first few periods may be very light. You may only see a few spots of reddish brown blood. Anywhere from 2 to 7 days is normal.
Should you celebrate your daughter's first period?
A girl's first period can be a scary and embarrassing experience. This is especially true when she's left unprepared or feels like it's not something that she can talk about openly with her parents. To make sure your daughter sees her first period as a positive and natural part of life, celebrate the event!
What are the symptoms of a girl's first period?
What signs should I look for?acne.abdominal bloating.soreness in your breasts.back pain.constipation.diarrhea.feeling more tired than usual (fatigue)feeling extra emotional or irritable.More items...•
What does your first ever period look like?
Your first period should last anywhere from 2 to 7 days. It may be very light, with just a few spots of brownish blood. Or it may start and end more brownish, but be brighter red on heavier flow days.
When should I talk to my daughter about the birds and the bees?
Preteen: Puberty happens around the 9 to 12 age range. It's important to have the puberty talks with children before then, so they are prepared. Around 3rd grade or 4th grade may be where the sex talk in traditional terms may be more memorable for the child.
What are the symptoms of a girl's first period?
What signs should I look for?acne.abdominal bloating.soreness in your breasts.back pain.constipation.diarrhea.feeling more tired than usual (fatigue)feeling extra emotional or irritable.More items...•
What are the first signs of puberty in a girl?
When your daughter starts to go through puberty, her gonads (ovaries) and adrenal glands (glands that sit on top of the kidneys) release hormones. These hormones cause the first signs of puberty, which are breast development, body odor, underarm hair, pubic hair and acne (pimples).
Is it normal for a 7 year old to have a period?
Puberty Comes Earlier Now the average age for a first period is closer to 12, with one University of Cincinnati study reporting that about 10 to 15 percent of girls enter puberty at age 7 or younger, a phenomenon known as precocious puberty.
How to talk to your daughter about her period?
You may want to consider finding a book that explains puberty and all of the changes that occur in a girl’s body. But don’t just give her a book and call it a day. Make sure she knows that she can talk you about these things and ask you anything. You may have a conversation and explore a book together and then leave it with her for her to examine more closely. Then in a few days, be sure to follow up with her and ask her if she has any questions. Don’t wait for her to come to you. Some girls will be too shy, so it’s up to the parent to approach the conversation. As you learn how to talk to your daughter about her period, she will become more comfortable coming to you with her concerns.
What to talk about with your daughter before her period?
You may feel a bit uneasy about talking to your daughter about such a sensitive subject. But discussing puberty, changes in her body, and menstruation is important before she experiences her first period. With a little forethought, you can have candid, positive conversations about menstruation to help alleviate fears and concerns. ...
Why is she locked in her friend's bathroom?
She’s locked herself in her friend’s bathroom because she started her period for the first time. She doesn’t know what to do, and she’s too embarrassed to ask for help. This is what we all want to avoid. While most girls start their periods around the age of 12, some girls start as young as 9 or 10 years old.
When do girls start their period?
While most girls start their periods around the age of 12, some girls start as young as 9 or 10 years old. Take a proactive stance and talk to her openly before she has an experience like the one above.
When Should I Talk to My Kids About Periods?
Talking about periods shouldn't be one big talk at a particular age. Instead, start the conversation early and slowly build on your child's understanding. Girls and boys need reliable information about periods. So make sure you talk to your sons too!
What Should I Talk About?
What you talk about depends on your child's age and level of development. Here are some questions that most kids have:
When Should I Call the Doctor?
Most girls don't have any problems with their periods. But call your doctor if your daughter:
How often does the uterus wall come off?
Every month the uterus wall gets ready for a baby. If there is no baby, the uterus wall comes off and bleeds a little. The blood comes out a woman's vagina. The body makes a new wall every month, just in case there is a baby. Answer any questions simply and directly.
What hormones are released by the ovaries?
The ovaries release the hormones estrogen and progesterone . These hormones cause the lining of the uterus (or womb) to build up. The built-up lining is ready for a fertilized egg to attach and start developing. If there is no fertilized egg, the lining breaks down and bleeds.
What to say when a 4-year-old sees a tampon?
So make sure you talk to your sons too! For example, if your 4-year-old sees a tampon and asks what it's for, you could say, "Women bleed a little from their vagina every month. It's called a period. It isn't because they're hurt. It's how the body gets ready for a baby.
How long does a period last?
Periods usually last about 5 days. But a period can last shorter or longer.
How to talk about periods?
In any discussion you’re having about periods, use plain language and be straightforward. Conversely, don’t sugarcoat the experience as that won’t serve your daughter either. Last, in addition to discussing the biological “whys”, spend more time focusing on the practical side of things. Mayo Clinic says these are the usual questions:
Why don't parents talk about periods?
Many of us parents don’t adequately discuss periods with our daughters because we simply don’t know how.
Is period shame real?
Period shame is a very real phenomenon and it prevents girls from getting the help and information they need. “The stigma and taboo around periods is creating a wall of silence, with girls struggling to understand their own bodies, and feeling too ashamed to speak out when they think there’s a problem,” says Tanya Barron, chief executive of Plan International UK.
Can talking about periods be uncomfortable?
But talking about periods doesn’t need to be uncomfortable, and the key to making that shift is normalization. If you can have discussions about important life topics like these early and often, your children will come to understand them as natural facts of life that aren’t to be feared.
When Should I Talk to My Kids About Periods?
Talking to your kids about periods shouldn’t be a one-time conversation at a specific age. It should be spread out in multiple conversations to slowly build on your child’s understanding. Over the years, you can provide more information as your child is ready.
What Is a Period?
A period typically happens about every month and is the process by which the uterus sheds its lining. This is in response to changes in the hormones throughout the body. Hormones (chemical messengers) from the pituitary gland in the brain communicate to the ovaries and the body. This causes the ovaries to release the hormones estrogen and progesterone into this body. Estrogen and progesterone cause the ovaries to mature and release an egg by process called ovulation. Estrogen and progesterone also cause the lining of the uterus to build up in preparation for possible pregnancy.
What Are Symptoms of a Period?
Period symptoms can differ for every girl, as can the strength of each symptom. Some may not have any symptoms other than bleeding, while others may have many.
What hormones are released by the ovaries?
This causes the ovaries to release the hormones estrogen and progesterone into this body. Estrogen and progesterone cause the ovaries to mature and release an egg by process called ovulation. Estrogen and progesterone also cause the lining of the uterus to build up in preparation for possible pregnancy.
How much blood does a period last?
Periods flow levels vary and can range from light to moderate or heavy. On average, there will be a total of 2-4 tablespoons of blood. If a period lasts more than 7 days, needs more than 5 pads per day or has heavy bleeding, talk to your pediatrician about what is causing this.
What to do if your child is not asking about periods?
If your child is not asking questions about periods, try to bring it up in natural moments, such as: When a child asks about puberty or changing bodies. If your child asks where babies come from. If you are buying pads or tampons. For example, if your younger child sees a tampon and asks what it’s for, you can explain it in basic terms they will ...
How long does it take for an egg to break down?
This process happens repeatedly and usually takes about a month for the lining to build up again and break down.
Biology and the basics
I started off with some facts on how the body grows, terminology, why menstruation happens in the first place and the basics of what will happen during PMS and a regular period. I stressed that it’s normal for the first few periods (and even years) to not be normal.
Self-Care and Hygiene
Our daughters also need to know how to care for themselves during their period.
Beauty and purpose
I wanted this discussion to have a positive impact on my daughter’s self-image.
What Tips Would You Share with Your Daughter?
I hope that these tips help you when talking to your daughter about her period.
Does a Period Hurt?
Your daughter may ask about whether or not a periods hurts. While you’re tempted to tell her it’s some of the worst pain she may ever experience in her life (speaking from my experience…), you can tell her this:
