First Period Traditions From Around The World That Celebrate A Girls Journey Into Womanhood
For an adolescent girl, getting her first period can be both embarrassing and scary, even if she has been prepared for it by her mother. It can be difficult for the girl to celebrate something this momentous, but the mood can be lightened by celebrating the occasion as she journeys into womanhood.
Throwing a period party can be a great first step towards embracing her transition. In India, most households still ostracise their daughters when they bleed for the first time. They are isolated, disallowed from entering the temples, and are even served food separately. But times are changing and more young girls and women are breaking free from the taboos attached to periods. It is a cause for celebration and campaigns after campaigns are trying to remove the social stigma that periods are impure.
Women bleed so that they can give life to procreate and birth future generations. Its a cause for celebration however big or small, logical or bizarre and these 11 places do just that by embracing their daughters first periods.
When Should I See A Doctor
You should talk to your doctor if:
- you are 16 years or older and haven’t started to have periods
- your periods are getting heavier
- your periods last for more than 8 days
- your periods are less than 3 weeks apart
- the pattern of your periods changes
- your periods have stopped and youre not sure why
- you are bleeding after menopause
- you have severe period pain
You can also talk to your doctor if, for any reason, your periods are affecting your wellbeing or enjoyment of life.
The Growth Of Pubic Hair
Soon after the breast buds grow, your daughter may notice pubic hair growth.
At first, she may just see a few long, sparse, straight and soft hairs in the beginning. However, as the hair will fill in, they will become darker, curlier and coarser.
Over the next few years, the pubic hair grows up in the groin area. Further taking on a triangular shape, the hair finally spreads to the inner thighs.
It is important to note that underarm hair doesnt begin to grow until around when menstruation begins.
Make sure that you guide your daughter about the change she will be experiencing.
In this case knowledge of the menarche symptoms can help manage the stress and fear that comes with the uncertainty.
Geng Farmasi Otai
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What Do Girls Want To Know About Their First Period
As puberty draws near, girls are likely to be excited at the prospect of leaving childhood behind and âbecoming a woman,â but theyâll probably also have more specific thoughts, worries, and fears about menstruation and the way their body is beginning to change. Here are some of the types of questions they may be asking themselves:
That fear — that âIâm not normal!â–can also make the usual fluctuations of early menstruation seem like dire events.
âBe sure to let your daughter know that she might not get her period every month right away. Irregular periods are common during the first year or so,â says John Steever, MD, assistant professor of pediatrics in the Division of Adolescent Medicine at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine. âTalk about the symptoms that may go along with her period, such as cramps, retaining water and weight fluctuation, mood swings, and headaches.â
No one loves menstrual cramps and other symptoms, but when weâre older, we usually know when theyâre coming, and we have our tampons and over the counter pain relievers , so youâre not adding in the whole element of surprise and anxiety, says Zager. âYoung girls, when they first begin to menstruate, are usually anxious, so helping them be prepared makes these things easier to cope with.â
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Did We Cover Everything About The Menarche Symptoms Of Your Daughters First Period Starting
The onset of the first period can be anything from empowering to intimidating, depending on the environment or surroundings.
In this post, we reviewed the most common signs your daughter is about to start her period.
Therefore, when you notice any of the menarche symptoms in your daughter, know that she will need your help and support.
At that point in time, it is your responsibility to assure her that all these changes are totally normal.
With proper preparation and information, you can calm your daughters nerves and help her ease into womanhood smoothly and easily.
What has been your biggest challenge for parenting daughters?
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About Your Menstrual Period
Menstruation, or a womans period, is a period of bleeding that happens every month:
- The average age for girls to begin their periods is 12 years old, but some will begin menstruating earlier or later.
- Periods vary in length for every girl and can be anywhere from three to eight days.
- You may experience long cycles in the first few years of menstruation, but they tend to shorten and become more regular as you age .
Menstruating, commonly referred to as having a period, means that your body is preparing for pregnancy. This includes ovulating and preparing the uterine lining for a pregnancy. The uterus is the area of the body where a baby grows during pregnancy.
The period of bleeding you experience is the uterus shedding its lining so that it can prepare a new one each month. The red discharge during your period is the uterine tissue and blood flowing through the cervix and out of the vagina.
Increased Appetite And/or Food Cravings
A strong urge or craving towards certain is another of the signs your daughter is about to start her period.
In most girls, the likeness may vary from sweets to something salty or spicy. Some girls may tend to take a swing towards the sour taste.
If you notice your daughter has suddenly developed a strong taste for new and specific foods, this may indicate that she is about to start puberty.
Mum celebrates daughters first period with a party
Families UK
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When Do Periods Start
Most young people will have their first periods when theyre between 11 and 14½, but anywhere from 9-16 years is considered normal.
Periods are likely to start soon if your child has:
- had a major growth spurt
- grown some underarm and pubic hair
- developed breasts.
If your child hasnt started their period by the time they turn 16, its a good idea to talk with your childs GP. There can be many reasons why periods havent started by then, and the GP can help to rule out any serious problems.
What To Do After The First Menstrual Period
If your daughters first menstrual period shows up unexpectedly and there are no sanitary pads on hand, she can temporarily use folded-up toilet paper. If youre not with her when it happens, its OK to ask a teacher, the school nurse, or a friend for one.
Its best for beginners to avoid tampons until theyve read the instructions thoroughly and practiced a few times. Try to have a discussion with your daughter about it to familiarize her with the way they work.
Its essential to change a pad every four to six hours to prevent bacterial growth and infection.
A girls first period will generally last a few days, so shell need to stash several pads in her purse or backpack. Remind her that its essential to change her pad every four to six hours to prevent bacterial growth and infection.
Lastly, remember to take note of the date that her first menstrual period began so you can both be better prepared for next month. Keeping track also allows you to detect irregular periods, which are especially common during puberty.
- Track periods with an app like Flo which helps you plan ahead.
- Carry sanitary pads or tampons at all times.
- Expect lower back pain or abdominal pain, and consider using a hot water bottle to relieve achiness.
- Ease up on exercise and other strenuous physical activity.
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Can I Get Pregnant
The short answer? Yes. Pregnancy is possible anytime semen comes into contact with the vagina.
Although the onset of menstruation is widely regarded as the start of your reproductive years, its possible to become pregnant before youve had a period.
It all comes down to your hormones. In some cases, your body may begin to release ovulation-causing hormones long before it triggers the start of menstruation.
And when you do begin menstruation, its possible to get pregnant if you have sex during your period. It ultimately comes down to where you are in your menstrual cycle.
Talk to a trusted adult or reach out to your healthcare provider if:
- You havent started your period by age 15.
- Youve had your period for about two years and it isnt regular.
- You experience bleeding between your periods.
- You experience severe pain that prevents you from completing daily activities.
- Your bleeding is so heavy that you have to change your pad or tampon every one to two hours.
- Your periods last longer than seven days.
If you call to make an appointment, tell the person whos scheduling it that youre having problems with your period.
They may ask you to write down details about:
- when your most recent period started
- when your most recent period ended
- when you first noticed your irregular bleeding or other symptoms
When To Go To The Doctor
Some Medical Terms
A girl’s first menstruation is called menarche. This is pronounced MEN-arc or MEN-arc-y. When a girl passes certain milestones in her development, but does not start having periods, this is called Primary Amenorrhea. This is pronounced A-men-or-rea or Ah-men-or-rea. The word primary is the part that means the girl has never had a period. The amenorrhea part means lack of periods . This is to distinguish it from Secondary Amenorrhea, which is when a woman has had periods and then stops.
The Standards For Going To The Doctor
These standards were developed long ago. Meanwhile the average age of puberty and menarche has dropped. So, Estronaut’s opinion is that checking with a doctor a year or so earlier is not a bad idea. Also, girls of African descent mature sooner than Europeans, by about a year. So, these girls should substract another year.
On age alone: Age 15 1/2 to 16 1/2 for whites, age 14 1/2 to 15 1/2 for blacks.
If no breast or hair development: Age 13 to 14 for whites, age 12 to 13 for blacks.
If there is breast development or hair two years after either of these started.
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First Period Symptoms Learn How To Read And Understand These Signs Here Are Three Helpful Tips To Get Ready For This Special Time
Watch for these signs of a girls’ first period.
Although a lot of girls get their first period symptoms between 8 and 13 years old, the average age is 11 to 12. However, you could get yours anywhere between the ages of 9 and 16. Everyone has their own ‘biological clock’, and yours is different from anyone else’s. So even if you feel like you’ll never get your period, don’t worry, you will! How will you know itâs on its way? Watch out for these signs of a girlâs first period.
How Does It Start
The first period typically occurs after a female first ovulates. This happens when the ovaries release an egg into the fallopian tube.
When this happens, the womb lining thickens in preparation for the egg to be fertilized. If fertilization does not occur, the lining sheds, as the body no longer needs it. This is where period blood comes from.
In most females, this cycle continues regularly from the age of the first period until menopause, which is when periods end.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , the average age at which females began menstruating in the United States in 20132017 was
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You Have An Acne Breakout:
Your skin will look flawless and glowing all month long. Just as your period date comes closer, you will notice pimples and acne. You may try various Facial Masks at home to reduce Acne but it will be right there to signal that your period will arrive the next day. The rising hormone levels activate the secretion of oil in your skin. This oil clogs the pores of the skin and lead to formation of acne.
Signs Your Daughter Is About To Start Her Period
As a dad with 3 daughters, I began to wonder what the signs your daughter is about to start her period are, sometimes called menarche symptoms. So I did I do some research.
Heres what I learned:
The signs your daughter is about to start her period include:
1. Breast development7. Increased Appetite and/or Food Cravings8. Growth spurts9. Bloating and cramps
So now that you know all the signs your daughters period is about to start, lets review the specifics of each one and answer some additional questions.
Co-authored with womens health expert Aashna Grover of Sharda Hospital.
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What To Do When It Starts
When a period begins, try to find a way to absorb the blood. A female can do this by asking a friend or family member for a pad or tampon.
If it is not possible to use a pad or tampon, try to wrap something absorbent, such as toilet paper or a clean washcloth, around the crotch area of some underwear. This can absorb the blood and prevent leaks.
It can be helpful to prepare a period kit before the first period arrives. This can help with feeling ready. This period kit could consist of:
- an extra pair of underwear
- a variety of tampons and pads, so a female can choose what works best for them
- unscented baby wipes to clean any leakages
Most periods last for
The following sections will look at some absorption methods in more detail.
Menstrual Cycle At A Glance
Your period occurs regularly each month, during which you will experience bleeding for approximately three to eight days. Its normal for many girls to have shorter or longer periods when they first start having menstrual cycles.
Each period signals the start of a new menstrual cycle. A menstrual cycle typically lasts about 28 days. Each menstrual cycle starts on the first day of bleeding and lasts until the first day of bleeding the next month.
Once a young woman has her first period, she will continue menstruating until menopause, which occurs around the age of 50.
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