First Menstruations: What Know How Care for Yourself?
Photo: freepik.com/Freepik
Teenage age time of changes new discoveries one of most important events in girl's life puberty achievement. During this period body undergoes significant changes including start of menstrual cycle. How prepare for first menstruations care for your well-being in this new life stage – continues to tell Health and Beauty Center Adoria gynecologist Jana Bjornsone.
In this Article You'll Learn:
- what happens in body during first menstruations what it means;
- what hygiene products available how properly use them;
- where seek reliable information how care for emotional balance.
What First Menstruations When Expect Them?
Menstruations also called periods in colloquial language cyclic physiological process in woman's reproductive system. During if no egg fertilization uterine functional lining (endometrium) together with small amount of blood expelled. To better understand this process important more closely understand what endometrium what its functions.
- Uterine inner layer: endometrium special tissue layer lining uterine cavity from inside.
- Preparation for pregnancy: every month under hormone influence endometrium becomes thicker richly supplied with blood thus preparing receive fertilized egg.
- Separation during menstruation: if fertilization doesn't occur this thickened endometrium layer becomes unnecessary to body. Therefore it separates together with small amount of blood expelled from uterus – exactly this process called menstruation.
- Cyclic renewal: after menstruation end endometrium starts again gradually form anew starting next cycle creating favorable environment for possible pregnancy.
First menstrual bleeding important indicator girl's body reached puberty physiologically ready for pregnancy. Natural process indicating normal reproductive system development.
Average age when first menstruations start from 10 to 15 years most often around 12–13 years age. However each girl's body develops individually therefore this time can vary. For some girls periods can start earlier for others – later all within normal range.
Usually before first menstruations appear other puberty signs e.g., breasts start develop pubic underarm hair appears acne can form more intensely. These changes indicate body preparing for new life stage. In first years menstrual cycle can be irregular – sometimes shorter sometimes longer bleeding strength can vary. Over time cycle usually stabilizes.
Preparation for First Menstruations Hygiene Products Choice
Though impossible precisely predict period onset timely hygiene products acquisition for teenager can help feel more secure in this unusual change time. Today wide range of menstrual hygiene products available allowing choose most suitable convenient option for yourself. For young girls especially during first menstruation usually easier more convenient start with externally used products though also internally used products considered based on personal comfort choice.
Sanitary Pads
Sanitary pads most popular first chosen product for many girls as easy convenient to use. Pads various sizes shapes absorbency intended for both day night use. Attached to underwear inside regularly changed – usually every 2–4 hours depending on bleeding intensity pad type.
To reduce skin irritation allergic reaction risk recommended choose pads without added fragrances. Sanitary pads suitable for all girls regardless whether started sexual life.
Tampons
Compact cylindrical shape hygiene products made from compressed highly absorbent material intended for insertion into vagina absorb menstrual blood. Tampons discreet convenient for active lifestyle adherents e.g., during sports swimming.
Important choose size absorbency matching menstruation intensity. Change regularly as per instructions (usually every 4–6 hours or more often if bleeding intense). Initially tampon use may require some practice patience.
Regarding tampon use for girls not started sexual life important know hymen usually elastic natural opening. This opening allows both menstrual blood exit most cases also insert small size tampon e.g., mini slim category.
Choosing smallest size carefully following use instructions many teenagers can successfully use tampons if desired. Main criterion individual comfort correct insertion technique learning. Tampon use doesn't affect virginity not related to sexual life start.
Menstrual Cups
This reusable hygiene product made from medical silicone other flexible body-safe material. Cup inserted into vagina where instead of absorbing collects menstrual blood. Can be used several hours (up to 12 depending on bleeding strength specific manufacturer instructions) then removed emptied carefully washed can be reinserted. Environmentally friendly long-term economical alternative.
However cup correct folding insertion removal maintenance can require more time to master better body sensation therefore this method still recommended choose for girls already started sexual life. Important carefully familiarize with product use instructions consult with specialist if necessary.
Choosing most suitable hygiene product main comfort safety personal sensations. If questions doubts about some product use recommended talk with gynecologist other trusted health care specialist.
Physical Emotional Changes During First Menstruations
Photo: freepik.com/Freepik
Along with first menstruations body undergoes various changes potentially affecting both girl's physical emotional well-being. Important understand many of these sensations normal transient. Physical symptoms their intensity during periods very individual but most often manifest through certain body reactions physical discomfort.
- Abdominal pain cramps (dysmenorrhea): one of most common complaints affecting large part of girls women during periods. Pain can be mild stronger localized in lower abdomen back. Caused by uterine muscle contractions. Pain can be reduced with warm compresses light physical activities sufficient fluid intake over-the-counter pain relievers if necessary.
- Breast tenderness: due to hormonal fluctuations breasts can become swollen tender.
- Fatigue energy lack: shortly before first period days can appear pronounced fatigue energy lack drowsiness.
- Abdominal bloating digestive disorders: can appear also minor changes in digestive system function and/or bloating looser bowel movements etc.
Emotional changes during this time also can be very noticeable. Hormonal fluctuations can affect mood causing enhanced emotionality irritability tearfulness anxiety sensation. Important realize such feelings part of process nothing unusual.
Anxiety about changes unusual sensations can be alleviated by open conversation with trusted adult – mom older sister friend. Also own feelings can be discussed during gynecologist consultation. Self-care sufficient sleep balanced diet physical activities can promote emotional balance.
Menstrual Cycle Understanding Specialist Visit
Understanding menstrual cycle important step towards better acquaintance with own body its processes. Following own menstrual cycle helps not only predict next period onset prepare for it but also timely notice possible changes deviations from usual rhythm potentially signaling need consult with doctor.
First steps in cycle tracking can be done together with trusted adult e.g., mom. Can be simple calendar – paper digital format – where mark first last menstruation day also observations about bleeding strength any accompanying symptoms (e.g., pain mood changes).
Today many mobile apps available offering convenient cycle tracking additional features. Important remember in first years after first menstruation onset cycle can be irregular normal.
Many girls teenagers can feel confused shy ask questions about menstrual cycle body changes intimate health. Gynecological care for young women provides comprehensive confidential answers to essential questions about menstrual cycle course personal hygiene sexual life start contraception choice also other reproductive health topics.
- To ensure safe responsible sexual life start learn most important about contraception choice for teenagers read our specialists prepared article: "Contraception Methods for Teenagers: How Choose Safest Option?".
Photo: adoria.lv
When Needed Gynecologist Consultation?
Gynecologist consultation recommended if any concerns questions e.g., about very heavy prolonged bleeding (longer than 7–8 days) pronounced pain before during menstruation significantly affecting daily activities not decreasing with over-the-counter pain relievers.
Also gynecologist should be visited if cycle remains very irregular also several years after first periods e.g., cycle length varies more than 10–15 days periods absent several months in row or if menstruations not started by 15–16 years age.
First gynecologist consultation doesn't always mean examination on gynecological chair especially for younger girls without complaints. Can be mainly informative educational conversation helping girl better understand own body reduce fears uncertainty form responsible attitude towards own health in further life.
- What human papillomavirus (HPV) how protect yourself? More about HPV vaccination importance why important perform already in early teenage age read article: "HPV Vaccination: Why Important for Young Women?".
Health and Beauty Center Adoria – Support for Reproductive Health Issues
If questions needed professional help related to first menstruation course cycle features other intimate health issues Health and Beauty Center Adoria offers responsive qualified gynecologist support. Our experienced gynecologists provide necessary consultations help find answers to all interesting questions ensuring gentle understanding confidential approach to every young woman.