Q: What exactly happens when I have my period?
A: The inside of the uterus is cushioned with a layer of blood and
tissue. If this lining is not needed to nurture a growing baby, your
body sheds the lining (that blood and tissue), which leaves the body
through your the vagina. It takes approximately 2 to 7 days for all the
bloody fluid to leave your body. Every female gets her period – it
happens in all mammals.Q: How can I prepare for my first period?
A: Make sure that you have liners or pads readily available, either in
your back-pack, at home or in your purse. Remember that having your
period is a normal, healthy process. Make a period kit for yourself to
have at school; to keep in your school bag or locker. It won’t take up
much room – a few liners and pads, a clean pair of panties and maybe
some cleansing wipes.Q: I have not started my period yet but I’ve been
getting discharge a lot. Does this mean my period is coming?A: Yes, a clear vaginal discharge may start about six months before you
have your period. This discharge is the body’s way of cleanses itself.
In some girls it is more noticeable than in others. You can simply wear
a panty liner when this happens.Q: I get brown gooey stuff in my panties. The last
time it was for 6 days. Can this be my first period or a sign that it is
coming?A: Every girl's period starts differently. You may not see red blood the
first few times and you may skip a few months and then stain or bleed.
Things start out irregular at first but you will have a normal cycle
within a year or so. This is all perfectly normal! Just use a panty
liner for this and then switch to a heavier pad as your period begins to
flow regularly.Q: How long should my period last?
A: Your period can last anywhere from 2 to 7 days. The amount of flow
may vary from day to day. And, every girl’s period is different so don’t
get worried if yours is 5 days and a friend’s is 3.
Q: If you get your period at school, would it be
okay to go ask the nurse if you can go home – if you just want to see
your mom?A: It’s really nice to share this with your mother but the nurse can
really just help you by giving you a pad or panty liner. Then you can go
back to class and see your mom when the school day is over.
Q: If you get your period should you stay home
sick from school?A: Having your period does not mean you’re sick. It’s something all
women go through. Girls go to school, women go to work and/or take care
of their families. It’s perfectly healthy, normal, and not an illness.
Just be prepared with the feminine products (pads, liners, or tampons)
you’ll need to change during the school day and you’ll be just fine!
Q: I got my period a few months ago and I am
afraid to tell my mom. What do I do?A: Be brave and tell your mom. Your mom will be there for you and can
help you. It’s really nothing to be scared or embarrassed about.
Remember, your mom went through this very same thing when she was about
your age.Q: I feel like I need to talk to my mom about
getting my first period because she has not mentioned this to me at all,
but I don't know how to approach the subject. Any suggestions?
A: Yes, here are a few ideas for you. Tell your mom that you heard your
friends talking about periods and you are not quite sure what it is or
if there is more you need to know. You could also ask her buy you one of
the many books on the subject (like the American Girl book, The Care and
Keeping of You.) This way you can get some basic information and your
mom will understand that you are ready to start talking about periods
and growing up. Q: Why would a girl hide getting her period from
her mom? I heard some other girl talk about this and I just don’t
understand, what’s the big deal?A: You’re right! There is no reason to hide getting your period from
your mom. Some moms are not always comfortable about talking their young
daughters with these transitions. Sometimes it’s their own experience
with this (maybe their mom did not discuss periods with them) that may
hold them back, or possibly if they are religious, it is not something
they feel they can talk about. Sometimes it is just a matter of a mom
not knowing how to bring up the subject, so every girl should go to her
mom to talk about this.When you go through puberty, your feelings and way of thinking also
change. Some girls feel more mature and want to be more independent so
they think that not telling their moms is a way of being independent.
But, this is not the best way to be independent. Every step towards
independence takes times and guidance. Your mom is there to help you
during puberty.Q: I’m frightened about the blood part of getting
my period. What if there is too much blood?A: The amount of blood that is lost during your period is about 2 to 4
Tablespoons. It may seem like a lot but it’s not! Your body will know
that this bleeding is normal and it will stop on it’s own after a few
days. Once you have your period a couple of times, you’ll see it’s
really nothing to be frightened about.Q: How often should I change my pads? What about
tampons?A: You can change your pads about every 4 to 5 hours depending on your
flow. Use a clean pad at night time. You should be sure to change your
tampon every 4 hours too. Q: I’m scared to get my period because my sister
says it’s really painful. I don’t want mine to hurt so what can I do?
A: Every girl is different, even sisters! Usually when you first start
getting your period you should not get much cramps at all. If you do get
cramps it is usually the first day and then the cramps stop. There are
several things you can do to relieve cramps, such as:
- Take a warm shower.
- Use a heating pad on the area.
- Ask your mom for some over-the-counter medicine such as Tylenol or
Motrin.
- Do some exercise.
What’s the best way to relieve cramps?
A: The best way to relieve cramps is to realize that the cramp will
pass. See the previous question of things that you can do to help
relieve cramps. If your cramps are so bad that you are not able to do
your everyday activities, then ask your mom to take you to see your
doctor.
Q: If you get your period at the age of 10 what
does it mean? I’m 12 and haven’t gotten mine yet but my younger cousin
did.
A: Every girl will get her period at the right time for her. For some
girls it can be as early as 10 or as late as 15. No one can tell you
exactly when yours will come. You might get your period more around the
time when your mom had hers, and not when a cousin did.
Q: Is it natural to pee (urinate) blood when you
have your period?
A: You don’t pee blood when you have your period but it does appear that
way in the toilet bowl as the blood will continue to come out while
you’re in the bathroom. When you are menstruating (having your period)
the blood comes out from a different place in your body, called the
vagina. It is located in your private body parts just below the opening
where your pee (urine) comes out.
Q: When I have my period, can I go swimming
without a pad? Or should I just not go swimming? It’s hard for me
because at summer camp we are supposed to go swimming every day.
A: You can certainly go swimming but only with a tampon in place if you
are having your period. If you don't want to use a tampon you can't go
swimming -- but you can still use a bathing suit with a pad and wear a
pair of shorts over it and sit around the lake or pool. Just tell your
counselor, “I can’t go swimming today” and they’ll understand.
Q: Is there a right time to start using tampons?
A: The right time to use a tampon is when it feels right to you. Many
girls who participate in sports or dance start using tampons shortly
after they start having their periods. Other girls wait until they are
comfortable with their periods and then start using tampons.
Q: Will anyone be able to tell I have my period?
A: No one can look at you and tell that you are having your period. The
only way someone can tell is if you tell them.
Q: Does getting my period mean I can have a baby?
A: Once you start having your period, you could have a baby if you
become sexually active. This means having sexual intercourse. Of course,
for someone your age this is not a good idea - and it’s also against the
law for children to have sex, in case you did not know. Sex is an adult
behavior and there are responsibilities and risks associated with this.
Q: If girls get their period, what do boys get?
A: During puberty the big thing that happens to a girl is that she gets
her period. For boys, they too go through all the similar changes
(except periods of course) but they start to produce sperm. Sperm are
the cells that can join with the female’s eggs to produce a baby.
Q: Does your period ever stop? Will I have it for
the rest of my life?
A: No, your period will not last for the rest of your life. Most women
stop having their periods between the ages of 45 to 55 years, during a
period of time known as menopause.
Q: What do I do if I get my period and I’m at my
dad’s?
A: This is an excellent question since it certainly might happen. Being
prepared is the best but if you should happen to get caught unprepared,
you can certainly speak with your dad. Believe it or not, dads do know
about girls getting their periods! If you don’t want to do this, you can
use toilet paper rolled up as a pad. Next time you stay by dad’s
remember to bring pads in your backpack. |