Probably the biggest change you'll experience going through puberty, is getting your periods. Although you may be nervous or worried, you'll probably cope really well when it happens. Girls start their periods at different ages, some as early as 8 whereas others don't get them until 18. So don't worry if you don't start yours at the same time as your friends. Remember everyone is different. Once you start your periods you will carry on having them until you are in your late 40's or 50's, until they stop altogether, this is called the 'menopause'.
What happens?
One of your ovaries releases an egg and it travels down your fallopian tube to your womb. By the time it reaches here, your womb has built up a thick lining, so that if the egg is fertilized by sperm it will implant itself into the lining and grow into a baby. If the egg is left unfertilised it dies and is shed along with the lining. This comes out as blood through your vagina and is called 'a period'. This whole process is called the 'menstrual cycle'. The cycle starts on the first day of your period until the day before your next period starts. For some people their cycle lasts 21 days and others may last up to 40 days. Generally you'll get a period once a month and the bleeding stops after the womb has finished shedding its lining.
The release of the egg is called 'ovulation' and this happens about 14 days before your period is due. This is the best time to have sex if you are trying to get pregnant.
It's a good idea to mark in your diary when you have your period. Although they might be erratic at first, once you've had your periods for a while they will start to become more regular and you will be able to work out in advance when you are due and how long they last. Periods can last from 2 to 8 days, but the average is about 5 days. You might find that some months your period lasts longer or shorter than usual. This is perfectly normal.
The blood that comes out during your period is usually thick and reddish brown, although the blood is usually redder in the first couple of days of your period. It may even have small lumps in it, these are normal, and are just bits of mucus and the lining of the womb.
You'll know when you're about to start your period as you will probably get some cramping in your stomach or lower back, and you will get some spotting on your pants. Don't worry as the blood will not come rushing out, you actually only loose between 4 and 6 tablespoons of blood during your whole period, it just seems like a lot more.
Although it may be a bit embarrassing it's good to let someone know you've started your periods. This might be your mum, siblings, some other family member, a friend or an adult you trust. Talking to them means you can share any concerns you might have, and sanitary products cost money, so if your mum knows she can buy them for you.
Period Pains
Most women feel a bit uncomfortable just before or during the first few days of their period. This is usually referred to as 'period pains'. Not everyone gets period pain: some feel nothing at all, others feel a little dragging sensation and some develop painful cramps. You can also get sore breasts, tiredness, lower back pain, headaches, nausea and dizziness during your period. You can also develop pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) which can make you feel irritated, tearful, bloated, moody and depressed, just before your period is due. Some people don't get any symptoms but most people have a couple.
You can try to ease the pain in a number of ways. You can get medication from the pharmacist. Some people find it better relaxing with a hot-water bottle. Strangely enough, exercise can help cramps even if you don't feel like doing it. Some people find avoiding caffeine in tea and coffee and fizzy drinks can reduce bloating and pain. Drinking lots of water keeps bloating away. Lots of people believe Evening Primrose Oil helps period pain to. If you find your periods particularly painful it is best to see your doctor for advice.
Heavy Bleeding
Heavy bleeding is defined as:
- If you soak more than 6 of the largest sized pads or tampons for more than one or two days, or
- If the bleeding goes on for more than 7 days with each period.
This happens to most women at some point but if you get it regularly, for example three times in a row, then you may start to get some side effects from loosing too much blood. This can lead to a condition called 'anaemia', but this isn't very common and can be prevented by having a healthy diet.
If you think your periods are too heavy it's a good idea to speak to your doctor.
Towels or Tampons?
There are lots of different sanitary products to choose from. You'll find these in the feminine or personal hygiene section of the supermarkets and shops. There are basically 2 types of sanitary products, towels and tampons. You might find it embarrassing buying sanitary products at first but it's nothing to be ashamed of, it's totally natural. Because there are so many different products it may take a while to decide which you are more comfortable with. You might prefer tampons, towels or a combination of both. It's best to try a few different ones to see what suits you best.
If you start your period unexpectedly and you have no sanitary products with you, don't panic. If there are any other women around don't be scared to ask if they have any spare with them, most women will be happy to help. If there is no one around try making a pad out of toilet paper. It's always better to carry an emergency supply of sanitary products with you to avoid situations like this.
You might also notice that after a while the blood starts to smell. This only happens when it comes into contact with air. Don't use perfumed pads or sprays as your vagina is self-cleaning, and these products can often cause irritation. As long as you change your towel or tampon every few house and wash regularly you will smell fresh.
Sanitary Towels
Pads, towels and sanitary towels are all the same thing. There are lots of different types to choose from. There are pads with wings, panty liners, extra thin pads, and even pads for thongs. Pads are probably the easiest to use as they are simply go inside your pants between your legs. They are made so thin now that they are very discrete, no one can tell you are wearing them. Most pads have a sticky back which you attach to your pants, and this helps it stay place. Some have wings which are sticky-backed tabs on either side of the towel which fold underneath the middle bit of your pants making it extra secure. Pads work by soaking up the blood as it comes out, so you don't feel it. You can get different sizes and thickness depending on how heavy your period is. Some people use different absorbencies throughout their period. For example if their period is heaviest at the beginning they might you're a high absorbency towel, changing to medium/light absorbency and perhaps using a panty liner on the last day of their period. Typically your period will start light then get heavy and then ease off before stopping.
Remember never to throw sanitary towels down the toilet. If you are in a public toilet wrap them in toilet paper and put them in the special sanitary bins (these are usually beside the toilet in the cubicle). If you are at home wrap them up and put them in the bin. Pads only start to smell or leak if you don't change them often enough. Remember to wash yourself (at least twice a day) and change your towel every couple of hours.
The Pros and Cons of Pads
Pros:
- They are easier to use
- Night time pads are really good
- Pads with wings are extra secure
- No risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) from using them (see section on tampons for more information)
- You can check how heavy your flow is and that it looks healthy.
Cons:
- You can't use them in the bath or shower or to go swimming
- They become smelly if not changed regularly
- You tend to get blood on the outside of your vagina.
Tampons
Tampons are usually about the same size and shape as a finger, with a small cord at one end. Tampons are inserted into your vagina with the sting hanging down between your legs so that you can pull it out when you need to change it. Tampons work by soaking up the blood internally and as it gets wet it expands. Tampons come in all different sizes depending on how heavy your flow is. Some come with applicators, which are cardboard or plastic tubes. Some people prefer tampons with applicators as it means they don't need to put their fingers inside their vagina to guide the tampon in, whereas other women find these uncomfortable to use. Paper applicators like Tampax are biodegradable and can be flushed down the toilet, although it isn't very eco-friendly and there is the risk of them not flushing away. Otherwise, like pads wrap your used tampon in toilet roll and put it in the nearest bin.
Putting your first tampon in can be a bit scary, but there are good instructions inside the boxes which should help you. You shouldn't really be able to feel the tampon inside you if you have put it in correctly. If it's uncomfortable you probably haven't pushed it in far enough. Don't worry a tampon can't get lost inside you.
It's very important to change your tampon regularly, at least every 4 to 8 hours, as this stops leakage and infection. There is a condition called Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) which can cause all sorts of complications, but is not very common. TSS can occur if you leave the same tampon in for days. The leaflet inside the tampon box will give you lots of information on TSS. If you any concerns or have forgotten to take a tampon out after a day or more see a doctor immediately.
If you decide to wear a tampon at night, put it in just before you go to sleep and change it as soon as you wake up. If you might sleep more that 8 hours use a pad.
The Pros and Cons of Tampons
Pros:
- No one can tell if you are wearing one even if you're just in your underwear
- You can shower, bath and swim using them
- There less messy and have less chance of smelling.
Cons:
- They can be difficult to use at first
- There is a slight risk of TSS
- It's important to remember to remove the last one at the end of your period
- They can sometimes leak
