Some parents feel awkward telling their children about menstruation. They might feel reluctant about it. However, you should tell your child about it before they get it. Otherwise, it might become even more difficult to talk and explain to your child. Or sometimes, your child may also get misconceptions about periods, or they may get scared of them.
Menstruating is a normal thing that every other woman does. So why the hesitancy in telling your child about it? However, you should wait until your child becomes smart enough to grasp what you are telling them. Often your girl can get periods between 11 to 14. It may differ in some girls. Not everyone has the same body, so the menarche also differs. You do not need to worry if your girl is a little late in menstruating. However, if you feel that there might be something wrong, you can seek professional help. To get an expert opinion, you can visit a gynecologist doctor in Lahore.
To tell your child about menstruation, you need to keep some things in your mind. First of all, you need to decide what is the right time to tell them. If you feel that the appropriate time has come, tell them, and if you feel it is not now, you can wait some time. But it is always better to tell them before they start menstruating.
Here in this article, we will tell you tips that can help you tell your child about menstruation.
Talk Early And Often
It is better to talk to your child as early as possible. When they ask you anything about menstruation, answer their questions honestly and openly. You do not need to hide anything from them. If your child does not ask you about periods, you can tell them on your own.
Do not opt for a one-time discussion. You can explain them all in more than one sitting. When you talk, your tone should be friendly. To start, you can ask your child what they know about puberty and menstruation. If they have any misconceptions about it, you must clear them at the very first step. It is the birthright of your child to know everything clearly and in detail about puberty and menstruation. Friends often convey misconceptions. Therefore you should clear them all and know what they know already.
Practical Advice
More than scientific information, children are interested to know how menstruation will affect their life. They are also concerned about when it is going to happen, how it will feel, and what you should do when it comes.
You should provide them with practical information. You can answer these questions as follows:
What Is Menstruation?
Menstruation is a physiological process in which your body is now capable of getting pregnant. In a period, your body prepares itself for a possible pregnancy. When it does not get pregnant, it sheds the endometrium as period blood.
When Will Menstruation Start?
There is no exact time when one can predict that menstruation will start. It can happen at any time between 11 to 15 years. Often menstruation occurs two years later when your breasts are formed.
How Long Does Menstruation Last?
In the initial times, the bleeding will be light. There will be light spots on the pad. The menstruation may last 3 to 5 days. In some cases, it might last 5 to 7 days.
Does It Hurt?
Periods might cause uneasiness, cramps in the lower abdomen, and breast tenderness. It might also cause other symptoms such as dizziness, headache, nausea, and diarrhea. Taking a warm bath, a hot bottle, and a pain reliever can help ease discomfort due to periods.
What Should I Do?
Explain to your child how to use the menstrual pads or a cup. You must also stock their bathroom with usable sanitary products. Tell them to change pads every four to eight hours and give them tips to maintain vaginal hygiene with periods.
The Bottom Line
Menstruating is a normal physiological process and talking about it is not wrong in any way. You must inform your child about it beforehand and explain everything to them in detail. Moreover, clear all their misconceptions. If your child has a gynecological problem, you should take them to the doctor. To get an expert opinion, you can visit Altamash General Hospital.