Having the period talk with your teen girl

As we know in India, discussing intimate topics like periods (menstruation), sex, and body changes might make parents and children feel a little awkward. In our country, it's not normal, but it's high time that these topics be considered common conversation topics between a teen and a parent. However, youngsters require accurate information. Your children will be better able to make wise health decisions if you help them understand their bodies and the changes that occur.

At a certain age, discussing periods shouldn't be a major topic. Instead, start the discussion early and gradually increase your child's comprehension. Boys and girls alike need accurate knowledge of menstruation. Therefore, be careful to talk to your sons as well.

For instance, if your 7-year-old notices a pad or period panty and inquires about its use, you could respond, "Each month, women experience some vaginal bleeding. It is known as a time or period, not because they are injured, though. It is how the body prepares for pregnancy. To prevent the blood from getting on the underwear, the period panty or pad collects it.

When do most women start their periods?

Most females experience their first period between the ages of 10 and 15. Although every girl's body follows its own timeline, the average age is 12.

There is no specific age that a girl should start getting her period, but there are several signs that it may start shortly. Typically, a girl's menstruation begins about two years following the onset of her breast development. Another indication is vaginal discharge fluid, which a girl could feel or see on her panties and which resembles mucus. This discharge often starts between six and twelve months before a girl receives her first period.

 

Finding difficulties Discussing Periods with Your Teens

Make sure your children have another method to learn about periods if you don't feel comfortable discussing them with them. It could be simpler to watch a movie or read a book together or consult a gynaecologist. It's your duty to make them comfortable, treat them like friends, and see the changes. Be honest and talk with them openly; if they are still uncomfortable, consult a doctor where they can discuss their problems openly without any hesitation. There are many changes teens face when they enter the adolescent stage. Parents must be careful and calm, and they must understand their teen in this teen hood phase.

 

When do you need to see a gynaecologist for your teen?

The majority of girls experience no issues with their periods. Nevertheless, if your daughter:

• is 15 years old and doesn't have her period.
• does not have a period but has begun to develop breasts.
• Her periods still don't come every 3-6 weeks after more than two years (especially if she misses three or more in a row).
• She suffers excruciating cramps that are not eased by any medicines or home remedies.
• has a lot of bleeding (bleeding that goes through a pad or panty faster than every 2 hours)
• suffers from severe PMS that interferes with her day-to-day activities.

 

Teens are better able to make wise, healthful decisions the more they comprehend their bodies. Ensure that you or another dependable source or doctor provides your children with accurate information. 

 

Should fathers be a part of period talk with their teenage daughters?

Yes! Children can benefit greatly from a father's presence during this period. Like moms, fathers are also great supports for a child's emotional growth and well-being. Fathers can do a lot to normalise periods since mothers can speak from experience. Fathers may assist daughters in normalising talk about periods by challenging gender parenting stereotypes, just as mothers can teach and physically prepare their daughters for their first period by discussing their own experiences.

Periods are totally normal, and the first period marks the start of the wonderful process of maturation. And although the start of the menstrual cycle is a significant milestone in a girl's life, how many of us experienced our first period with confidence and ease in the past? Before the first period arrived, the majority of us were caught off guard and had little knowledge of periods and what they meant. Therefore, it's critical to imprint optimism and teach our daughters to confidently own up to their periods.

By having a period chat with our kids, we can ensure that we're fostering a non-shaming, non-toxic atmosphere. Talking about periods with teenagers can help normalise periods while also boosting their self-confidence during their formative years. Your children will be able to make the greatest health decisions if you help them understand their bodies.