Menstruation
Although her breasts may have begun to develop, her first period may still be a year or more away. The range of normal for girls to begin their periods is between ten and fifteen years of age. Help your daughter get ready for her first period by explaining to her exactly what will happen. She needs to know that her period may start at any time during the day or at night, that it will usually start with a spotting of blood, but that it might start with a heavier flow. You don't want her to be totally surprised when she first sees the reddish or brownish menstrual blood on her underwear.
Make sure she has all the supplies she needs. Buy her a variety of tampons and sanitary pads well before you expect that her period might start. Show her the instructions on how to attach sanitary pads or how to insert a tampon. Suggest that she experiment to find which is most comfortable so that she knows what she's doing before her period starts. She should keep a couple of pads or tampons in her school bag or purse and take supplies with her when she goes away overnight. Let her know that if she chooses tampons, she should usually replace one at least every four hours. Health Canada suggests that a girl not use a tampon overnight.
Her first periods may be irregular -- she may have one period and then not have another for a few months, or she may get them more frequently until her body adapts to the hormonal changes. For most girls, a monthly period lasts four days, but a normal range is from two to eight days. It's common for a girl to have painless cycles (without ovulation) for one or two years after her first period. But some girls experience abdominal cramps before or during their periods; some might even have experienced minor abdominal discomfort before their first period.
Painful menstruation
Dysmenorrhea is the medical term for the painful menstruation that affects every woman at some point in her life and that can sometimes interfere with work or school. The symptoms, which include severe abdominal cramping, headaches, nausea, and vomiting, usually begin just before the menstrual period and last for up to two days. Some women experience a dull abdominal pain extending to the lower back and legs.
If your daughter experiences these symptoms, ensure that she visits her doctor in order to rule out a serious underlying condition such as endometriosis. Most often, fortunately, there is no underlying cause, but her doctor can help find an effective treatment to reduce or eliminate the pain.
He may prescribe medication (to reduce inflammation and ease aches and pains) to take before her period starts and for two days after. Or he may prescribe low-dose oral contraceptives to suppress ovulation and thereby eliminate the symptoms. Some women find that improved nutrition and adequate sleep and exercise help reduce painful menstrual periods.
Premenstrual syndrome
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) encompasses symptoms (such as bloating, cramps, mood swings, irritability, acne, and breast tenderness) that begin seven to fourteen days before a girl's menstrual period. These symptoms are not very common in teens, but they have been linked to fluctuating hormones; if your daughter experiences them, she should consult her doctor. Managing stress, exercising, and changing one's diet can ease the severity of PMS. Reducing caffeine can ease breast soreness and irritability. Reducing salt can ease bloating.
Let your daughter know that she may also experience mood swings. Her feelings -- both positive and negative -- may be more intense than earlier in her life. She may cry or laugh more easily or have more difficulty controlling her anger. She may find it harder to concentrate. Suggest she record some of the emotional and physical experiences of her period so that she gets to know what to expect of her own body's menstrual cycle.
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