First Period Guide: Turning a Big Moment Into a Confident One

box of period pads

Whether it was totally innocuous or totally traumatic, we all remember our first period. It’s an important milestone and a key part of growing up. 

Most people get their periods between ages 11 and 14 and it comes along with all those familiar symptoms: cramping, bloating, mood swings, tiredness and more. 

If you’re reading this, you’re probably a parent or a grandparent of a teen or tween who is about to get their first period. You might be worried about ensuring that she has a better experience than you did, or what you heard about. 

There are lots of ways to ensure that she doesn’t feel really negative about her first period (and therefore not worried about future ones). We think it all boils down to communication. 

Educate Her First On What Will Happen

Periods can start as early as age 10 and it will probably be a similar age from when her Mum’s started. 

From age 10, it’s important that she knows the basics. This should include why she’s getting a period and what to expect when the period is happening. 

She’s simply getting a period because the egg in her uterus lining isn’t fertilised. That means the uterus will shed the lining and that’s what gives you cramps. 

She should expect cramping, tiredness, bloating and mood swings. And, of course, a period. Let her know that the period may not be red blood, it may appear very brown. 

She may also expect that she’ll now get a period every month, but this might not happen, it might be a while before her cycle settles and she gets another one. 

Promote Period Underwear

Period underwear is a brilliant solution for first period anxiety. It feels like you’re just wearing pants and you don’t have to learn how to use them, like you would with tampons or menstrual cups. 

You can also choose a pair spending on the heaviness of your period and there are overnight ones which look more like shorts. These would also be great for sporty girls. 

Tell Her To Communicate If It’s Terrible Pain – There Are Solutions!

It’s important she knows that terrible pain, very heavy or very long periods are not usual. If she’s in a huge amount of pain and is getting lots of side effects, you can visit the doctor with her and get it resolved. 

A very heavy period is considered one which lasts more than 7 days or if she’s bleeding through pads in two hours. 

Buy Her A Gift To Make Her Feel Loved

Getting a period is probably the weirdest thing her body has ever done. She’s probably feeling weird, detached and the mood swings could be getting her down. Remind her how loved she is with a cosy gift. 

That could be some bath bombs, because baths help with periods. It could also be some fluffy socks or a lovely throw for her bed. We, of course, recommend a small piece of jewellery to help lift her mood. 

Create A ‘First Period Kit’ 

A ‘First Period Kit’ should include both practical and luxurious items to help her feel really special and to help with side effects. You can buy all of this easily from the supermarket, and she’ll be feeling much better by the end of the day:

  • Period supplies (Pads / Period Underwear) 
  • Ibuprofen and Paracetamol to help with the cramps
  • Dark chocolate which is proven to help with periods
  • Hot water bottle to help with cramps
  • Bath bombs and/or bubble bath to help with cramps 

Make Sure She Has Period Underwear And Pads Handy From Age 10

picture of period pads on a blue background

To avoid making a first period traumatic, you should ensure that she has period supplies at all times. From age 10, ensure there are pads in her school bag, kit bag and she has some when going away with grandparents or other relatives. 

This will avoid her getting caught short and possibly bleeding into her clothes. Avoiding situations where she might feel embarrassed is key!

Remind Her That Nothing Has Changed

Remind her that just because she has her period, it doesn’t mean that anything has changed in her day-to-day life. She can still do everything she used to, like playing with her friends, swimming, running, etc. 

While her energy might be lower during her period, sport may help with cramps. We certainly know that being active helps to release endorphins and is good for mental health.

Get Her To Connect With Friends About It 

girls taking a selfie

A key part of getting a period is that everyone else is going through the same thing! Make sure she’s having those girly conversations with her friends and is connecting with them. 

You might want to arrange a sleepover for all of them or even a pizza party. Connecting with friends is a great way to lift her mood. 

Summary

Really, the best way to stop her first period from being totally traumatic is to communicate really clearly with her about what will happen. Make sure she knows about period underwear and she has period supplies handy wherever she goes. 

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