Menstruation: puberty and beyond.
Menstruation is sign that puberty has begun for your teenager. Here are some facts and tips for dealing with this milestone.
Your little girl is blossoming into a young lady right before your eyes. It’s a not uncommon for girls as young as nine to start their periods, and it’s a scary thought for many mums! You’ve probably had the ‘birds and the bees talk’ with your daughter, but how much does she know about her menstrual cycle, hygiene and how to cope with her period?
Menstruation – what your daughter needs to know
Let your daughter decide if she wants to use tampons or pads during her period. Panty liners are suitable for vaginal discharge between periods but not for menstrual flow. Pads today are available in different thicknesses and slim or ultraslim pads are designed to absorb a good amount of fluid. They are comfortable to wear.
If she chooses tampons, show her how to open the tampon and read the package insert together, on how to insert it. She may want to try both applicator and non-applicator tampons first before she makes up her mind.
About PMS
Talk to your daughter about her emotions during the week leading up to her period. Explain that feeling grumpy, weepy or depressed is normal during this period, but it’s not an excuse for rudeness. Hormones effect the emotional and physical changes in the body and things usually settle once the period starts. Not all women experience PMS, so your daughter may be one of the lucky ones, or if she seems to get particularly bad symptoms, consult your doctor for advice.
Menstrual Cramps
Some teenagers suffer with painful menstrual cramps and actually end up missing school. The intensity of cramps varies between girls. Suggest a hot water bottle or warm bath, a mild pain killer or some stretching exercises. See your doctor if the pain is very intense or seems to worsen as the period progresses.
Hygiene
• Teach your daughter to change her pad every four hours and her tampon every four to six hours. If she has a heavy cycle she may need to change it every two hours. If she is concerned about leakage while using a tampon, suggest a panty liner or ultrathin pad.
• Encourage her to practice good hygiene by taking a daily bath or shower during her period.
• She can swim if she uses a tampon.
• Teach her to be prepared. Purchase a small make-up bag that she can keep in her school bag. Include pads or tampons, an extra pair of underwear and some feminine wipes. The bag should stay in her case at all times, especially when periods are still irregular.
Vitamins for a healthy cycle
• Multi-vitamin and mineral supplement: Does your teen eat a balanced diet? A multivitamin supplement won’t replace a healthy diet, but it does give a good base of nutrients. Good nutrition is very important for good hormone function and a healthy menstrual cycle. Look out for a multivitamin which includes essential fatty acids (EFAs) Omega 3 and 6. EFA’s are very important for hormone function and have been shown to assist in regulating the menstrual cycle.
• Iron: Signs of iron deficiency anaemia include fatigue, feeling faint, difficulty concentrating, dark circles under the eyes, irritability, increased susceptibility to infections and dizziness, especially when standing up quickly. Consult your doctor if you suspect your daughter’s iron level may be low. A blood test may be warranted and if levels are deemed low, she will need to take a daily iron supplement.
• B-complex vitamins: Stress is known to interfere with the hormones and can disrupt the menstrual cycle, which can cause irregular periods and PMS. B vitamins are also needed for healthy thyroid function, which in turn is important for good hormonal balance. B vitamins are also needed for healthy skin.
Source: Health24