Periods And Additional Needs
Periods can be especially challenging for young people with additional needs and their parents. If your child has moderate to severe intellectual disability, they might not understand why theyre experiencing changes to their body and mood.
Your child still needs to know about periods and the menstrual cycle at a level they can understand. Your GP, or other health professionals involved in your childs care, can recommend resources you can use with your child, like books and visual aids. You could also speak to your childs school about support.
As You Wait For Your First Period You May Have Lots Of Questions About What Will Happen What Will It Feel Like What Do I Need To Do To Prepare How Do I Use A Tampon
Getting your first period is an important milestone in a young womans life. It signals the beginning of a long phase of life that you may be fertile. This means that if you have sexual contact, you might get pregnant. While you may have learned about menstruation in school, you probably have questions about what to expect. This section is designed to provide you with all the information you need as you approach getting your period for the first time.
Explore Your First Period:
How To Prepare For Your First Period
Getting your first period can be exciting, nerve-wracking and confusing all at once. No matter which combination of emotions youre feeling, theres no need to worry!
Getting your first period can be exciting, nerve-wracking and confusing all at once. No matter which combination of emotions youre feeling, what youre experiencing is a normal part of puberty, and theres no need to worry! With some background on whats really happening with your body, youll approach your first period like a pro. If you have questions about your period, dont be afraid to ask the menstruators in your life. Talking openly about periods can help normalize the experience and remind you that your friends and family are here to support you!
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What Causes A Period
A period happens because of changes in in the body. Hormones are chemical messengers. The ovaries release the female hormones and . These hormones cause the lining of the uterus to build up. The built-up lining is ready for a fertilized egg to attach to and start developing. If there is no fertilized egg, the lining breaks down and bleeds. Then the same process happens all over again.
It usually takes about a month for the lining to build up, then break down. That is why most girls and women get their periods around once a month.
It’s Okay To Skip Your Periodreally
If you occasionally hack your birth control to avoid your period , you’re not alone. And fortunately, it’s safe. “The idea of having a menstrual period every month is an outdated mindset,” Adam R. Jacobs, MD, medical director of the division of family planning at the Mount Sinai Health System in New York City, tells Health.
When you use hormonal contraception continuously, “the endometrial lining is thinned, which means you don’t need a period to get rid of it,” explains Dr. Jacobs. If you’re on the pill, talk to your MD about skipping the placebo pills and immediately starting a new pack. You may also want to discuss types of birth control that are designed to reduce the frequency of your period.
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I Think I Had My First Period How Can I Be Sure
I had my first period a couple of days ago. At least I think it was my period because I had a red-brown smudge that lasted for a day and a half. The problem is, it lasted for such a short time that I’m not sure if it was my period or not. I am really confused!
Lots of girls expect their blood to be bright red during their periods. But it’s completely normal for menstrual blood to be brownish. It’s also perfectly normal for some girls to have their first period for just 2 or 3 days. Many girls will have a very light flow the first few times they get their period, while others have more.
How long your period lasts and how often it comes might change during the first couple of years of menstruation. Thats because your body might make different amounts of hormones from one menstrual cycle to the next. Other things can affect periods too, such as nutrition, exercise, and medicines. If you have any concerns about your period, talk to your doctor.
*Names have been changed to protect user privacy.
Should I Use Pads Or Tampons
Obviously, if you have bloody fluid flowing from your vagina, youâll want to do something to keep it from soaking through your clothes. Thatâs what pads and tampons are for! A period pad is an absorbent, fabric-like pad that sticks to the crotch of your underwear and catches your period flow as it comes out. A tampon is period protection that fits inside your vagina to absorb the flow before it comes out.
There are lots of different sizes of pads and tampons. Large sizes are good for heavier period flow. Smaller sizes are best for lighter flow.
A lot of people think you have to use pads with your first period, but thereâs no reason why you canât use a tampon if you want. Itâs your choice! Both pads and tampons are safe, even for your first period. The most important thing is to know how to use them properly and safely. You can learn how to insert a tampon here!
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Blood Clotting Is Normal In The Beginning
There is a high chance that your period will be heavier than before, when it happens for the first time after pregnancy. You can witness blood spots in your period. There is nothing to get alarmed. However, if the blood clots continue even after one week, then you must definitely consult your doctor.
How To Prepare For Your Mammogram
- If you have a choice, use a facility that specializes in mammograms and does many mammograms a day.
- Try to go to the same facility every time so that your mammograms can easily be compared from year to year.
- If youre going to a facility for the first time, bring a list of the places and dates of mammograms, biopsies, or other breast treatments youve had before.
- If youve had mammograms at another facility, try to get those records to bring with you to the new facility so the old pictures can be compared to the new ones.
- Schedule your mammogram when your breasts are not tender or swollen to help reduce discomfort and get good pictures. Try to avoid the week just before your period.
- On the day of the exam, dont wear deodorant or antiperspirant. Some of these contain substances that can show up on the x-ray as white spots. If youre not going home afterward, you might want to take your deodorant with you to put on after your exam.
- You might find it easier to wear a skirt or pants, so that youll only need to remove your top and bra for the mammogram.
- Discuss any recent changes or problems in your breasts with your health care provider before getting the mammogram.
Dont be afraid of mammograms! Remember that only 2 to 4 screening mammograms in 1,000 lead to a diagnosis of breast cancer.
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Your Cycle Might Alter
Your first postpartum period is always a sign that your body is coming back to its normal self. But getting back to the pre-pregnancy orders is bit more challenging. Your period will be irregular and the cycle will change. But like all other things, you need to be patient till your body comes back to the rhythm of its own. Since you are already undergoing so much stress purchasing comfortable period underwear can be a good ploy.
Your First Period Guide: Age Symptoms Duration & More
If youâre looking to learn more about when to expect a first period or how to manage it, congratulations on being prepared! Knowing what to expect when getting your period and having accurate information can really increase confidence and decrease worries as puberty progresses and first periods arrive! So whether youâre preparing for your first period or youâve already started and just want to learn more about it, weâve got you covered.
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When Do Most Girls Get Their Period
Most girls get their first period when they’re around 12. But getting it any time between age 10 and 15 is OK. Every girl’s body has its own schedule.
There isn’t one right age for a girl to get her period. But there are some clues that it will start soon:
- Most of the time, a girl gets her period about 2 years after her breasts start to develop.
- Another sign is vaginal discharge fluid 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.
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.
Also Check: Why Have I Not Had My Period
Further Reading For Girls
- “Susan’s Growing Up” is a picture book about periods that has been specially developed for people with learning disabilities. It’s from the Books Beyond Words series from the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
- “The Period Book: Everything You Don’t Want to Ask “ by Karen Gravelle, and published by Piatkus, is a well-known book for any girl approaching puberty. It explains what to expect and how to cope with periods.
Page last reviewed: 05 August 2019 Next review due: 05 August 2022
With Your Help 5000 Girls A Year Will Get An Education
Making period products available to those who cannot afford them helps to increase education and employment for women in South Africa. By getting the education they need, women can better understand their own health needs, how their menstrual cycle affects their health, what happens during their periods, what nutrition is best for them, and family planning
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This initiative made it possible for me to fulfil my purpose of helping people. With this project we now supplying sanitary pads to girls in schools, more especially the underprivileged ones like me when I was still at school. I didn’t know the signs of starting a period, now I teach other girls to be prepared. I had no clue at all of sowing let alone knitting and making clothes, I am now the best employee, I now teach most of the ladies in the community, and I can see us doing more great things in the community. I would like to thank My Arms Wide Open and GirlStuff for giving us the opportunity to help break the cycle of poverty in our community. Thank you once again for your patience and guidance in working with us.
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If You Have A Hymen It Isnt Going To Pop During Vaginal Penetration
Oh, the hymen the stuff of legend. Youve probably heard the myth that if you have a hymen, it will break during vaginal penetration. But thats all that is: a myth.
The average hymen isnt a piece of flat tissue that covers the vaginal opening, like the myth claims. Instead, its usually a loose and not at all intact piece of tissue that hangs around the vagina.
Depending on its size, a hymen can be torn during penetrative sex, exercise, or some other physical activity. But it wont pop, because it simply cant.
When Will I Have Another One
After your first period, your second one can be pretty unpredictable, too. Most people expect it one month after the first period, but in reality, it’s pretty normal for it to happen anywhere from 3 weeks to 3 months after your first period.
Once youâve had a few periods, the best way to predict future ones, is to write down the dates of every period you have and count how many days there are from the start of one period to the start of the next. That tells you your cycle length. Obviously youâll need to have a few periods before you can do this, but it is super helpful for staying aware and prepared!
When you keep track of your periods like that, itâs called âperiod trackingâ . There are lots of ways to track your periods. You can write them on a calendar, in a journal or notebook, or use a period tracker. Make sure you record the day you start and every day you have your flow. You might also want to note when your flow is heavy and when it is light. This is the best way to know your flow so you can be aware and prepared!
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Lets Talk About Periods
We have answers for parents about their teens’ first period. Sharing information and advice is the best way to understand your first period and get rid of any fears you may have! No question is too stupid and if the first person you ask doesnt know, ask another one. I hope my medical experience helps you to understand this process your body is going through, and solve all your questions on getting your first period.
First Trimester: Key Stages
The first trimester begins on the first day of your last period and lasts until the end of week 12. This means that by the time you know for sure you’re pregnant, you might already be five or six weeks pregnant!
A lot happens during these first three months. The fertilised egg rapidly divides into layers of cells and implants in the wall of your womb where it carries on growing. These layers of cells become an embryo, which is what the baby is called at this stage.
During this trimester, your baby grows faster than at any other time. By six weeks, a heartbeat can usually be heard and by the end of week 12, your baby’s bones, muscles and all the organs of the body have formed. At this point, your baby looks like a tiny human being and is now called a fetus. He or she will even be practising swallowing!
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