| As
mother, I know how important it was to me to prepare
my daughters for their first periods. We want our
daughters to be prepared, to feel good about their
bodies and to see menstruation as a normal part of
life. Yet once the girls hear about their first period,
there is an array of questions that may come up over
and over again. Here are a selected few and some further
information to have available.
Will it hurt to have my first period?
Many young girls do not experience much discomfort
when they first start having their periods. This may
be because they are not ovulating yet. (An egg cell
has not matured and left the ovary.) Still, the cycle
continues, and they do have a period. Later on though,
as a girl’s body becomes more regulated, ovulation
occurs, and periods can be uncomfortable. The uterus
is a muscle that contracts in order to shed the built-up
lining. These contractions are the cramps that are
felt sometimes in the lower mid-abdomen during the
first or second day of menstruation.
Fortunately there are some simple things that you
can do to help reduce menstrual cramps if you experience
them.
• Keep active. Moderate exercise will help you feel
invigorated and relieve some of the cramps.
• A warm shower or hot-water bottle can relax the
muscles of the lower abdomen.
• Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications
such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen are also helpful.
• Be kind to yourself. Remember, having your period
means your body is working well and is doing what
is supposed to.
• If none of the above helps, consult with your
primary care physician.
What
if my first period starts at school? What should I
do?
The
likelihood of your daughter’s
first period happening at school is pretty high.
Therefore prepare her beforehand with not only the
accurate information but with the supplies that she
will need for her period. For example:
o
Pack a small pouch with some liners and/or a pad.
Make sure she knows how to place them properly on
the crouch of her panties.
o Include in her pouch a spare clean panty in a
small plastic zip lock bag in case she wants to
change and bring home her used panty.
o Review with her what to do:
o Go to the nurses office
o Call home if necessary
o Speak to a female teacher, secretary.
By giving your daughter this knowledge you are giving
her power and building her self-esteem towards a healthy
and capable young lady. |
