Parenting Tips: Your Daughter's First Period - Partners in Women's Health

Parenting Tips: Your Daughter’s First Period

By admin October 29th
Although you may see the signs that your daughter is starting to go through puberty, her first period may still catch everyone by surprise. Preparing your daughter for her first period may make some parents nervous or uncomfortable, but it’s important to help guide your daughter through this next stage of her life as she transitions from a girl into a young woman.

To help parents with this, we have put together a list of tips so that you and your daughter are better prepared for her first period:

Period Tips for Parents
1. Explain What’s Happening
  
  The most important thing is to remain calm. Some girls may feel uncomfortable or upset about going through these sudden changes. However, there is no shame in going through puberty. Periods are a natural part of female development and physiology, and approaching things calmly and factually can be incredibly helpful. Make sure that your daughter knows that you are there to love and support her.
  
  Explain what is happening to your daughter’s body, the changes she is going through, and the stages of puberty. Explain what a period is and what she can expect leading up to and during her period. Be sure to use anatomically correct words when describing these things. Also, let your child know that everyone’s body is different, and during the first two years after starting her period, she may or may not get a period every month. That’s her body’s way of adjusting to these new changes.
  
  To further help your daughter learn about her body and the changes she is going through, there are several apps she can choose from(Link IF content is recovered) that can track periods, give predictions on upcoming periods, and provide supplemental information that she can read at her own pace.
2. Talk About Symptoms
  
  A few days before her period starts (sometimes up to a week or two before), your daughter may feel uncomfortable or unwell. She may be moodier than usual, she may have trouble sleeping, and she may notice changes in her appetite or have unusual cravings. It’s also normal to feel tired or fatigued, to experience abdominal bloating, or tender breasts. Headaches, nausea, and acne flare-ups are also common.
  
  These symptoms that lead up to a period are known as Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS). There are several factors that can contribute to symptoms related to PMS, including changes in hormones, chemical changes in the brain, and depression. Some women, however, will experience these symptoms more intensely or experience other severe symptoms. This could possibly be a sign of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), which is a severe form of PMS. Symptoms of PMDD can include:
  - Severe mood swings, depression, irritability, or anxiety
  - Insomnia or the excessively sleeping
  - Difficulty concentrating (some women with PMDD find it almost impossible to study or pay attention in school or at work)
  It is important to tell your daughter that she may or may not experience some of these symptoms. Every woman’s body is different and reacts to these changes differently. Also, see a doctor if your daughter experiences any of the following symptoms:
  - Pain when interesting or removing a tampon
  - Periods that happen 21 days or less apart, or are more than 45 days apart
  - Heavy periods or cramps that over-the-counter pain relief doesn’t help
3. Have Supplies Ready
  
  If you haven’t talked to your daughter about her options before, now is the time. At first, many young girls will feel more comfortable using pads instead of tampons, so stocking up on these is a good idea. To make sure that your daughter is prepared for her period at school or when she’s not at home, put together a period care kit. Your daughter should keep the pouch with her at all times in case of an emergency. A good period care kit should include:
  - Sanitary pads or tampons
  - A few clean pairs of underwear
  - Pantyliners
  - Feminine wipes
  - Feminine disposal pouches
  - A small zippered pouch to hold everything
  Being prepared with a kit will make sure your daughter can handle one of the biggest period fears: a leak. If her underwear gets soiled, she can just wrap it in toilet paper and throw it away in the little trash can in the bathroom stall and use a clean pair from her kit. Keeping an extra clean pair of jeans or sweatpants in a backpack or locker can also make sure she can change if her pants get soiled.
Looking for competent, compassionate women’s health care? Partners in Women’s Health is here to help. For over 40 years, we have cared for thousands of women in the Denver area and helping them take charge of their lives. Our expertise in preconception counseling, gynecology, menopause, and fertility means that our staff can provide the care you need. We believe that you can do amazing things when you feel good, and we’re here to empower you. To see how we can help, give us a call at (303) 399-3315 or get in touch with us online today.
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Parenting Tips: Your Daughter’s First Period

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