Menstruation is a phase that no girl is of exemption since every woman has gone through this transition and has experienced this cycle for half of their lifetime. With this said the very first blood discharge that the young girls have might come with feelings of worry and anxiousness.
If you are a mother of a young girl, or simply just a lady who wants to know more about her body, then you came to the right place to learn. This article will be discussing what girls should know about menstruation and the first period that one will have. Thus, go ahead and read more as we engage with our girl-talk.
Menarche: The First Menstruation
The first menstruation of a girl is actually called menarche which occurs shortly after the beginning of puberty in girls, that is two years after the development of breasts. While menstruation commonly starts between ages 12 and 13, it may occur at a younger or later age.
Menstruation is the blood discharge which is a part of a natural process to prepare your body for pregnancy. It happens once a month and usually lasts between 2-7 days, and is about four weeks long starting on the first day of bleeding and ending when the next cycle begins.
However, this may vary significantly since it may skip months or come several times per month at the beginning, which means to say that the period that a teenager has is unpredictable, since it may be irregular. But you do not need to worry since it will eventually be regular and predictable as months go by.
So, why and how does menstruation take place? Well firstly, the blood discharge comes from the lining of your uterus which has broken down since there’s no fetus inside your body, it’s like a way of your body’s saying that there’s no baby which currently resides within your tummy.
What Girls Should Know
If you’re a mother, menstruation might be a hard topic to talk with your daughter. However, it is a necessary knowledge as she is transitioning from a young girl to a woman sooner than later. Which is why here are some recommendations for your girl-talk with your daughter.
How Much Blood Do You Lose?
The average person loses between 30 and 40 milliliters, or two to three tablespoons of blood during their period. However, some studies suggest that it may actually be 60 milliliters or about four tablespoons. Nevertheless, the blood a girl lose during menstruation is just a tiny fraction of an individual’s blood.
The span of the average blood loss is wide since there are instances that some may have lighter or heavier periods than what’s considered normal. But, if you aren’t experiencing any severe cramps, nausea, or any other symptoms, then all is well for you.
Will there be Menstrual Cramps?
Well, girls commonly experience pain and tightness in their lower abdomen and back around the time their period begins. This happens because of muscle contractions of your uterus. However, there’s no need to worry since you can manage the pain with some over-the-counter pain relievers or hot compresses.
Menstrual Cups Vs. Tampons
Tampons, pads, or menstrual cups, what should you really use? All of these can be used to help you out since they all soak or catch your blood discharge. However, the benefits one can get varies. Pads are stick on one’s underwear and are the easiest to use for young girls.
With tampons, you won’t be feeling that diaper-like feeling with pads since you will be putting it within your vagina. On the other hand, menstrual cups are almost the same with tampons but it can be reused and can be used up to 12 hours, unlike tampons which are needed to be changed within 4 to 8 hours.
Takeaway
What was discussed here were only the basics that especially young girls need to know when having their first period. Other than that, they still need to know about Premenstrual Syndromes and any other complications that menstruation brings. Which is why it is necessary for them to be educated well, to avoid any health issues.
Lastly, menstrual hygiene should also be taught to the young ones to avoid any personal, social, and health issues due to the monthly blood discharge
