Common Questions (and Answers) about Periods 


Girls and women have so many questions about their periods before and after they start. Even though its an entirely natural event for all healthy women and girls, there are a lot of myths and issues that cloud this truly amazing transition into womanhood. Here are some common questions asked about periods.

* What age should I start my period?  Everyone is different but in general, most girls start their period around the age of 12 to 13, although some start earlier and some start later. Each person develops at their own rate.

* How often will I get my period?  Most women are slightly irregular at first, but within the first year, its more than likely your period will come every 21 to 40 days.

* How long will my period last?  For most women, their period will last an average of five days; however, some people bleed much longer and some shorter. Expect 3 to 8 days to start.

* What is a good way to track my period?  You can use a calendar on your smartphone or even just a paper calendar on your wall. Just mark the day you start and the day you end. But you can also get an app for your phone. A good one supported by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists is called Clue. Its on both Android and iPhone models.

Link - https://helloclue.com/

* What personal care products should I purchase for my period?  There are many choices available today for your period. What you use depends on what you are comfortable with. You may want to experiment and try different items. There are pads, special panties, tampons, reusable cloths, period cups, and more from which to choose.

Links: 
Panties - https://amzn.to/2MqV2O6
Period cups - https://amzn.to/2MjIM22

* How often should I change my pad or tampon?  How frequently you change your pad, tampon, or empty your period cup really depends on your level of flow. However, for most women using a tampon longer than 5 or 6 hours is not recommended due to the risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS). For this reason, it may be better to use an alternative method while sleeping.

* Is it dangerous for teenage girls to use tampons?  Tampons are not hazardous for teenagers any more than they are for older women. There are different concerns about tampons due to the (low) risk of introducing bacteria which can cause acute septicemia (TSS) in women.

* What should I do about period pain?  If you notice that you have period pain, you can take over-the-counter medications at the right doses as per your doctors instructions. However, dont be afraid to talk to your parents and a doctor about your pain as there may be help. Otherwise, try resting, using a heating pad on your tummy or lower back, drinking plenty of water, and not overdoing it.

* How do I know if I am bleeding too much?  Menorrhagia, which is heavy menstrual bleeding, is determined if you soak through (or flood) your pad or tampon sooner than you would normally. Usually when this happens, its an emergency for you to get to the bathroom to take care of it. If this happens even once you should talk to your doctor about it. If you soak through more than three pads in an hour or two, call your doctor right away.

* What do I do if it happens at school?  The truth is, it will happen at school, eventually. If its not your first time, it will happen another time. Once you are showing signs of puberty, start carrying pads with you. If you can keep an extra set of clothing in your locker to be ready, that will give you peace of mind. Dont be afraid to speak to your female teachers if you need help or ask to speak to the nurse if you have one. The thing to remember is that this is a normal part of being a female.

The thing to remember is that a period is a normal thing to have. Its a good sign that you are healthy for your sexual and reproductive years, should you choose to have children. 







