What is menstruation in girls and how to recognize them? What is the normal duration of menstruation in girls? What is menstruation in girls 12

Today you will learn about how menstruation works, how long it should last and the quality of the blood. The arrival of a girl's period can be a real shock if this topic is not discussed with her in advance. This completely natural process should not cause disgust or discomfort in the girl. The future woman must be told in advance about how menstruation begins for the first time, how to carry out care procedures and much more, overcoming all the inconveniences and discomfort during the conversation.

Puberty

In girls, this period is usually called puberty. Girls' first periods begin already in the middle of this cycle. What happens to the girl at this stage of her life? There is a process of transformation from a girl into a mature woman who is able to continue her family. Menstruation in girls indicates that the reproductive function has started, and now there is a possibility of pregnancy with unprotected intercourse.

How this process starts:

• the brain transmits a signal to the ovaries at the right time;
• the latter respond to it by producing hormones;
• hormones start the process of forming a girl’s body.

It is important to note that there are both visible changes and not. During puberty, the following changes occur:

• the girl begins to grow;
• the brain enlarges;
• expansion of the hip bones occurs;
• mammary glands are formed;
• reproductive organs grow and actively develop;
• changes occur in the nervous system and much more.

Menstruation occurs approximately one year after a girl begins puberty. The first menstruation is usually called “menarche”. This indicates that the ovaries have begun to function and are now able to produce hormones. It is now that ovulation appears and the likelihood of pregnancy is high.

The first menstruation should normally begin between the ages of twelve and fifteen. There are cases when they begin much earlier or later. It is important to know that there are many factors that influence the time of the onset of the first period:

• hereditary information;
• degree of physical development;
• nervous system;
• there is an influence of lifestyle;
• social environment;
• knowledge about and intergender relationships;
• health status.

Early menstruation occurs from eight to ten years of age, and late menstruation occurs from the age of 15 years or more. The latter option occurs quite often in children who have been sick a lot and taken medications for a long period of time. Quite often, the cause of deviations from the norm is considered to be hormonal imbalances and improper development of the reproductive organs.

Cycle duration

The girl just needs to be told how her periods are, how long they last, possible problems and how to take care of herself during this period. It is very important to familiarize her with the concept of the duration of the menstrual cycle and teach her how to use a calendar so as not to get into trouble.

So, how should your period go? It is important to know that this question is purely individual, because each organism is special. If there are no health problems, then the cycle should be stable. However, it takes a little time to stabilize the menstrual cycle.

What is menstrual, a kind of reconfiguration of the body. This process involves:

• vagina;
• uterus;
• ovaries.

It is important for a girl to know that menstruation is a natural process that occurs when the ovaries produce hormones. This bleeding from the genital tract should not be scary or uncomfortable. A cycle is the period of time between the first day of one menstruation and the first day of another. Although the ideal cycle is the lunar cycle (28 days), the norm is from 10 to 45 days. If you notice a deviation from these norms, or the cycle has not established itself for a long time, then you need to consult a gynecologist, because the problem may be a dysfunction of the ovaries.

Control (calendar method)

We figured out what menstruation means. Let us repeat once again - this is monthly bleeding from the vagina of every woman. When a girl starts her period, she should be taught to mark these days on the calendar. Why is this necessary? Of course, the calendar tracking method helps determine the length of the cycle and the duration of menstrual flow.

In addition, the calendar method is a means of contraception. Thanks to the calendar, you can avoid unwanted pregnancy, as it is possible to calculate the approximate day of ovulation. It is worth noting that this method should be combined with others, because there is a low probability of unwanted pregnancy even on days unfavorable for conception.

Personal hygiene

While menstruation passes, it is necessary to more carefully observe this. This will help avoid unpleasant sensations, both for the girl and for those around her.

Everyone knows that secreted blood has a specific smell. You can get rid of it very easily by following some rules.

What is discharge during menstruation? This is largely the upper layer of the endometrium. The endometrium lines the inside of the uterus. It is important to know that this layer needs to be changed over time. As a result, menstruation occurs. During the “cleansing” of the uterus, the cervix dilates so that unnecessary parts can come out without any obstruction. An enlarged cervix is ​​an ideal condition for bacteria to enter the uterus. They may be found on a pad or tampon that has not been changed for a long time.

To eliminate unpleasant odors and prevent the entry of bacteria, you should listen to some hygiene rules:

• change your pad or tampon every three hours;
• if possible, take a shower before changing protective equipment;
• if the last point cannot be achieved, then it will be enough to wash or wipe with a damp cloth;
• when washing, first of all you need to clean the perineum and only then the anus (this will prevent germs from the rectum from entering the vagina);
• You cannot take a bath or visit the sauna.

The last point is mandatory, because the water in the bath is not sterile, therefore, bacteria and germs can enter the vagina. In addition, hot water and high temperature promote a rush of blood to the pelvis and dilation of the cervix, which makes it easier for bacteria to enter the uterus.

How long does your period last?

So, how do normal periods go? Let's start with the fact that menarche, that is, the first menstruation, does not last long, only a couple of days. There is practically no blood (just a couple of drops), as a rule, this is a “daub”. A normal cycle will be established only after a year and a half.

Please note that the established cycle should not be disrupted throughout the entire childbearing period of a woman’s life. This is very important; if there are deviations, it is better to visit a gynecologist.

How long do periods last? 10 days, 7 or 2 - these are all normal limits. For some, they pass quickly enough, but there are cases when menstruation lasts up to ten days. There is no need to worry about this, because each organism is individual. Below are some norms regarding menstruation; if you do not have any deviations from them, then consider that you are completely healthy:

• The cycle should range from twenty to thirty-five days. The “lunar cycle” is common and, according to gynecologists, the most successful (28 days).
• On average, women's periods last five days, but the norm is two to ten days.
• The intensity of bleeding should decrease by the last day of menstruation.
• This is quite difficult to determine, but, nevertheless, there is a norm of blood loss. Be sure to pay attention to the intensity of the discharge; during the entire cycle you should not lose more than 60 milliliters of blood. This amount is optimal; the woman does not feel any discomfort or malaise, because the loss is quickly restored by the body.

Blood quantity

The amount of bleeding during menstruation depends on many factors:

• the presence of an intrauterine device as a means of contraception increases blood volume and the duration of critical days;
• taking contraceptive hormonal drugs can reduce blood volume, as well as reduce or increase the number of “red days”;
• hormonal background;
• existing diseases;
• heredity;
• body type;
• external factors (climate, social environment, etc.);
• food quality;
• state of the nervous system;
• age;
• in women who have given birth, the amount of blood during menstruation increases significantly;

At the same time, the color of menstruation can also say a lot. We will talk about this in the next section of the article. Please note that the volume of blood lost should not exceed 60 milliliters during the entire cycle. If you go beyond this limit, contact your gynecologist, he may prescribe a special drug for bleeding during menstruation.

The quality of blood released during menstruation

The color of menstruation can tell about any disorders and diseases occurring in the female body. Please note that the color, volume and nature of discharge can change in a woman many times throughout her life. Many factors influence this process.

What do scanty dark periods mean? As a rule, these are only their harbingers. Brown discharge before menstruation is considered normal, and there is no need to worry about it. Dark periods also occur after abortions and miscarriages, or after long-term use of hormonal contraceptives.

The first menstruation should be bright scarlet in color, and their quantity should be minimal. Please note that if menstruation of this nature appeared after the cycle had been established (that is, this is not the first menstruation), then it may be endometriosis, which undoubtedly needs to be treated with hormonal drugs.

Brown or black discharge three days before menstruation or earlier may also indicate the presence of endometriosis or an ectopic pregnancy, which poses a serious threat to a woman’s life. Take a pregnancy test and immediately go to the gynecologist.

Pain during menstruation

Some girls note that the first day of menstruation is very difficult to bear, as it is accompanied by severe pain. As sad as it may be, such cases are the majority. Consult a gynecologist and he will help you relieve these sensations with the help of medications. There is absolutely no point in worrying about this issue; this is a completely normal state for a girl during her period. Many women claim that after the birth of their child they were able to get rid of this symptom.

PMS

We sorted out the question of how menstruation goes. Now let's look very briefly at the concept of PMS. This is premenstrual syndrome, which manifests itself differently in everyone. The most common symptoms:

• irritability;
• aggression;
• headache;
• nausea;
• elevated temperature;
• chills;
• decreased attention and memory;
• breast swelling and much more.

Sex during menstruation

It’s better to wait a little with your intimate life. Why:

• from an aesthetic point of view, it is disgusting;
• during menstruation, there is a high probability of “catching” the disease, because the cervix is ​​open;
• there is a possibility of developing diseases - endometriosis, algomenorrhea;
• many believe that it is impossible to get pregnant during menstruation, but this is not true (not one, but two eggs can mature; early ovulation may occur, and sperm live in a woman’s vagina for up to eleven days);
• blood is a very poor lubricant during sexual intercourse, because the latter is much thicker than blood;
• this may turn your partner off.

Menstruation during pregnancy

If you notice spotting while expecting your baby, you should immediately go to your doctor. This may indicate some pathologies of pregnancy or the possibility of miscarriage. However, there are cases when a girl has periods during pregnancy. In any case, the presence of spotting during pregnancy is a deviation from the norm.

Menstruation and menopause

At this time, the woman’s body “reconfigures”; now it will serve only you. It's not that bad. During this period of time, there may be severe disruptions to the menstrual cycle (menstruation comes twice a month, blood is replaced by scanty discharge, and so on). It's quite normal. Be sure to learn to distinguish menopause from pregnancy, because the absence of menstruation occurs in both cases. Menopause has a number of symptoms: vaginal dryness, frequent headaches, prolonged depression, profuse night sweats and many others.

The problem of puberty in Russia is relevant in our time. It so happens that in many Russian families, discussions with children about issues of sexual development, marriage, and childbirth are left “behind the scenes.” But not only parents, but also teachers in schools need to hold conversations with children and schoolchildren, striving for competent sex education for our descendants.

Puberty, as a physiological process, occurs in a certain sequence.

In prepuberty, rapid growth and the appearance of the first signs of femininity in the figure are observed: the hips are rounded as a result of the growth and uniform redistribution of fatty tissue, and the female pelvis is formed. Many girls begin to feel embarrassed about such changes. Therefore, during this important and responsible period, the mother needs to talk extremely gently and carefully with the girl about sexual development.

In the puberty phase (10 - 12 years), the mammary glands grow, which is called thelarche; The beginning of pubic hair growth is noted (11 years - 12 years) - this is called pubarche. The end is the onset of the first menstruation - menarche (menstruation begins in girls aged about 12 - 13 years), coinciding with the completion of body growth in length.

What are periods (menstruation)?

Menstruation, and from the medical side - menstruation, is the rejection of the endometrium (the mucous membrane of the inner layer of the uterus), a rhythmic process that repeats at certain intervals. Menstruation is the completion of a physiological process - the menstrual cycle, which lasts 3 - 4 weeks.

During puberty, the hypothalamus and pituitary gland begin to produce gonadotropic hormones (FSH-follicle-stimulating hormone and LH-luteinizing hormone), which trigger the mechanism of follicle growth, steroid production and egg maturation. In the mucous membranes of the uterus, vagina, and cervical canal, cyclic changes occur that correspond to the phases of the menstrual cycle.

Cycle phases

The menstrual cycle has several phases:

• the phase of endometrial rejection, which has individual durations from one day to several days. This is a very complex process, after which the process of endometrial growth immediately begins, which occurs with extraordinary speed;
• then the proliferation phase begins (with a normal 4-day cycle) begins on the 5th day and lasts until the 14th day of the menstrual cycle. Every day the process of endometrial growth increases, and by the end of the proliferation phase, the growth of the endometrium in thickness reaches its maximum;
• after the proliferation phase, the secretion phase will begin from the 15th to the 28th day of the menstrual cycle. In this phase, the growth of the endometrium stops and its preparation begins for the reception of a fertilized egg, or for rejection (if fertilization of the egg does not occur).

It should be noted that menstruation is not only changes that occur in the reproductive organ - the uterus, but manifestations of changes in the whole organism.

Changes in the body

Before the onset of menstruation, the body signals this various manifestations, among them:

• nagging pain in the lower back and sacrum;
• headache;
• feeling overwhelmed;
• tension in the nipples;
• weight gain;
• in many girls and young women, a few days before the onset of menstruation, heavy mucous discharge begins;
• possible, but not always, increased body temperature, fluctuations.

In addition to the above changes, the first signs of menstruation in girls can be manifested by changes in the psychological sphere: weakening of memory, irritability, tearfulness, insomnia.

The amount of blood released during menstruation, on average, ranges from 50 ml to 150 ml. Menstrual blood is darker, unlike arterial or venous blood.

In the first 1.5 years after menarche, the frequency of cycles with ovulation (that is, cycles in which the egg matures) reaches 60%. In 1/3 of girls, the first 3 to 5 years after menarche, menstrual cycles are characterized by insufficiency of the corpus luteum, but most often the cycles are anovulatory. This explains the high incidence of dysfunctional uterine bleeding during puberty.

What factors influence puberty (onset of menstruation) and at what age do girls start menstruation?

It should be said that the time of onset and course of puberty is influenced by a large number of factors. These include hereditary factors (race, nation), constitutional factors, health status, and body weight.

For example, girls with a large body weight get their periods earlier, unlike their peers who have a lower body weight.

To the question, what time, on average, does a girl’s period begin, there is an answer: when she reaches a body weight of 47.8 +-0.5 kg, when the fat layer makes up 22% of the total body weight (on average 12 - 13 years )

In addition to the listed factors, the onset and course of sexual development are also influenced by other factors (external): climatic (illumination, altitude, geographical location) and a balanced diet (with a sufficient content of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, microelements and vitamins).

Also, sources can be diseases such as heart disease with heart failure, tonsillitis, severe gastrointestinal diseases with impaired absorption of nutrients, insufficiency of kidney function, and insufficiency of liver function. All these conditions weaken the girl’s body, inhibiting the normal course of puberty.

How many days does the first period last?

According to the World Health Organization, in 38% of girls the menstrual cycle from menarche to second menstruation lasted more than 40 days, in 10% - more than 60 days, in 20% - 20 days.

The duration of the first menstruation ranges from 2 to 7 days, but it can last longer, up to 2 weeks, and on average a girl uses from 3 to 6 pads. But usually girls' first periods are heavy and long.

What does Doctor Komarovsky say?

An article by the famous children's doctor O.E. Komarovsky states that the final establishment of the menstrual cycle takes from 8 to 12 years and for a large number of adolescents its duration is from 21 to 45 days.

The first three years, the menstrual cycle is on average 28 - 35 days, but with age it shortens, which is associated with the work of the ovaries.

Highlight the following fluctuations in the menstrual cycle in adolescents:

• the first year after menarche - 23 - 90 days;
• fourth year - 24 - 50 days;
• seventh year - 27 - 38 days.

All this suggests that the menstrual cycle, individual for each girl, is finally established by the age of 19 - 20 and should not begin and end the same for everyone!

It should be noted that there are signs and conditions that should alert parents and force them to promptly contact a specialist.

These include:

• absence of menstruation for 6 months;
• symptoms of endocrine system disorder (diabetes, obesity);
• polycystic ovaries;
• active sports (which is common among 12-year-old girls);
• loss or lack of appetite, or vice versa, when girls’ appetite begins to increase rapidly;
• taking certain medications, drugs;
• tumors of the pituitary gland, ovaries, adrenal glands;
• blood diseases.

Exist menstrual irregularities:

• amenorrhea when there are no periods for more than 3 months (it is worth saying that there is a physiological absence of periods during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and in other cases amenorrhea is pathological and requires treatment);
• oligomenorrhea- the interval between menstruation is more than 35 days;
• polymenorrhea— the period is less than 22 days;
• hypomenorrhea-duration of bleeding less than 3 days;
• hypermenorrhea- more than 7 - 10 days;
• menorrhagia when bleeding continues for 10 - 14 days or more;
• opsomenorea- infrequent periods with an interval of more than 35 days and scanty periods.

Stress has a great influence on the menstrual cycle. If a girl is constantly exposed to stress (at home, at the institute when taking a test), her periods may be delayed, scanty or completely absent; this is the so-called stress amenorrhea.

It should be noted that menstruation can begin earlier than twelve years, at the age of 8 years, the so-called early menstruation. This will not be considered a pathology if the girl’s mother or grandmother had the same thing (there is a genetic factor), however, such an early onset of menstruation may be a sign of pathology (concomitant diseases, stress, pituitary tumors and others).

And it happens that the first menstruation begins later: at the age of 16 - 18 years. The reasons for the late onset of menstruation may be underweight, pituitary tumors, previous infectious diseases (measles, rubella), stress, and psycho-emotional stress.

What is better to use: pads or tampons?

When our grandmothers had their periods, they used gauze and rags, then washed them and used them again.

In the modern world, a huge number of pads and tampons have been developed and put into widespread use.

This is really very convenient, because using them allows you to continue to lead an active life without fear that something will leak somewhere. The question remains what is better to use: tampons or pads.

It must be said that the use of pads is safer than tampons, because when using cotton cylinders, safety and hygiene measures must be observed.

A tampon can be left in the vagina for no more than 2 hours, and longer use creates a favorable environment for the growth of pathogens.

1. Since a girl’s first blood may appear not at 12 years old, but at 11 years old, and sometimes at 10 years old, it is necessary to tell the girl about menstruation in advance.
2. It is necessary to take a closer look at the child to see how actively he shows interest in “forbidden” topics.
3. You need to find suitable literature that explains in accessible language how to tell a girl about menstruation and at what age they should start (books, magazines, video lectures).

Common questions from teenage girls: “Does it hurt?”, “How much discharge is there?”, “How long does the first period last?”

Try to explain that the harbingers of the first menstruation are unpleasant sensations and moderate nagging pain in the lower abdomen. Discharge flows out evenly, sometimes in the form of clots, lasting several days (for example, if menstruation began on December 1, then her next period will begin on December 28).

When a girl approaches 11-12 years of age, she begins to wait for her period. During this period, you can purchase hygiene products - pads or tampons. If the girl is not yet sexually active, then these will, of course, be pads. It is necessary to explain to the girl that the pads need to be changed every 3-4 hours or as they get dirty, take a shower twice a day (morning and evening) and wash each time the pad is changed.

In addition, explain to the girl that the onset of menstruation indicates that there is a possibility of pregnancy and from this stage the girl should take more responsibility for her health and life.

Content

Every modern first-grader already knows that women and girls periodically have periods. But even adults’ ideas about this process are often very vague, and some young ladies are not even properly prepared for this period. What is menstruation in girls? Why do all representatives of the fair sex, starting from 11-13 years old, bleed for several days of the month?

When do the first critical days begin?

An important stage in the life of every girl is the beginning of the menstrual cycle. More recently, it began in girls at the age of 18, but now puberty begins much earlier. If a girl starts her period at age 11, then this is considered normal. But if the menstrual cycle began at 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 years old, this is also normal, because the onset of menstruation depends on many factors:

1. physical development
2. heredity
3. past diseases
4. living conditions
5. climate
6. nutrition

If the grandmother and mother had an early cycle, then the girl will most likely have an early cycle too. If a girl is physically weak and has been constantly ill since childhood, during puberty she will most likely lag behind her peers. Maturing too early for a girl is fraught with hormonal imbalance, and late maturation can lead to insufficient functioning of the ovaries, a disorder of the pituitary gland, or nervous stress.

The first signs of menstruation in girls

The girl observes traces of atypical discharge in her underwear several months before her menstruation. This is a whitish, yellowish or transparent discharge with no odor. But if the discharge is accompanied by itching, burning or an unpleasant odor, then you should definitely visit a gynecologist, as this is not the norm. Signs of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in a girl are observed several days before the onset of menstruation. This condition is often accompanied by:

• aggression or apathy
• tearfulness
• frequent mood swings
• headaches
• pain in the lower abdomen

The first sign of the onset of menstruation is spotting. They are usually very moderate at first, then the bleeding intensifies (towards the middle of the cycle), and by the end of the period they become moderate again. During the very first menstruation, a girl produces from 50 to 150 ml of blood. This different volume is due to hereditary factors. Menstrual discharge has a characteristic smell, which is inherent in all girls without exception at any age, because during this period the mucous glands of the vulva actively produce secretions.

Also, do not worry that there are nagging pains during menstruation. This condition can easily be explained by normal female physiology. Girls, even before the start of their periods, need to know about the need to follow the rules of hygiene, because blood is a very favorable environment for the proliferation of microorganisms, the presence of which will quickly lead to inflammatory processes in the genitourinary system.

Features of the menstrual cycle

The duration of menstruation varies from 3 to 7 days, but it is impossible to say exactly how long menstruation lasts, because the cycle changes in different years and at different periods of a woman’s life. In teenage girls, the intervals between their first periods sometimes range from one and a half to six months. Menstrual function has not yet fully formed, so such breaks are considered normal.

Typically, the menstrual cycle ranges from 21 to 35 days, if you count the period from the first day of the previous menstruation to the beginning of the next. It changes, so it is observed on different dates in different months. But if the break between the first menstruation is really long: there is no bleeding for more than 6 months, then you should definitely contact a gynecologist. This condition indicates a malfunction in the young body.

Why do girls have delays?

The menstrual cycle becomes more or less regular only after two years. But if by this time irregular periods occur, for example, the delay with a negative test constantly reaches 60 days or more, then you need to look for the reasons. Problems usually arise due to:

• sudden climate change
• poor nutrition
• the presence of endocrine or infectious diseases
• high physical activity
• stress
• overweight or underweight
• defects or injuries of the genital organs
• metabolic disorders

A popular reason among modern teenage girls for late periods is anorexia. Such a nervous disease occurs when a girl is underweight, when she thinks that any piece she eats will turn her into an ugly fat woman. Alcohol and promiscuity also lead to long delays in the monthly cycle. Usually after delays painfully occur with large blood loss.

Maintaining hygiene

Hygiene during menstruation must be observed especially carefully. This requirement is justified not only by the presence of an unpleasant odor in the discharge, but, above all, by preserving the girl’s intimate health. An intimate shower is needed more often than usual. It would also be a good idea to take care of special detergents, because regular soap is not the best product for intimate hygiene: it further dries out the skin, which is already subject to excessive friction due to wearing pads.

It is not recommended to take a bath these days, because tap water contains many pathogenic microorganisms, and the cervix is ​​open. This makes it easier for them to get inside, and then infection is inevitable. Also, hot water will lead to increased bleeding, which will negatively affect the general condition. It is better to wash yourself under warm water 3-4 times a day, and if this is not possible, then you should purchase special wet wipes for intimate hygiene.

Video: everything you need to know about periods

Attention! The information presented in the article is for informational purposes only. The materials in the article do not encourage self-treatment. Only a qualified doctor can make a diagnosis and give treatment recommendations based on the individual characteristics of a particular patient.

The first menstruation begins at 12-14 years of age, but these periods can vary greatly depending on the individual characteristics of the body, environmental conditions, genetic predisposition, health status and other factors. Even nutrition and climate affect the timing of the first menstruation. If menarche occurred between the ages of 10 and 17, then this is considered normal.

By the time the first ones appeared, other signs of puberty had already appeared: body growth accelerated, the figure began to acquire more rounded shapes, pubic hair appeared, the external and internal genital organs enlarged, the mammary glands became larger, and the nipples became darker. After all these changes, menstruation occurs, but it does not yet indicate the completion of puberty: the cycle must be established, the figure must take its final shape, and the body must complete the period of endocrine maturation.

The first menstruation is most often not heavy and has a special smell, since during this period the vaginal glands are actively working. The microflora of the genital organs changes, so it is very important to follow the rules of intimate hygiene. Menstruation may be accompanied by headaches or pain in the lower abdomen, weakness, nausea, and dizziness.

Signs of the first menstruation

If a girl monitors her condition and is attentive to changes in her body, then her first period will not be a shock, since there are many symptoms that can be used to determine their approach. Two years, a year or several months before menarche, characteristic vaginal discharge appears - leucorrhoea, which at first has a liquid consistency and is released in small quantities. Over three to four months they become more abundant and dense: by this sign you can determine the approximate time of onset. If leucorrhoea has a pronounced, pungent odor and color and is accompanied by itching, you should visit a gynecologist.

Some girls develop pain in the lower abdomen several months before menarche; they can be mild or quite severe. They are often accompanied by other signs of premenstrual symptoms: headache, mood swings, aggression, tearfulness. But PMS often begins not a few days, but several weeks or months before the first period, although the timing may vary for different girls.

By the time of the first menstruation, changes in appearance occur, associated with the activation of the sebaceous sweat glands: pimples appear, sometimes severe acne is observed, hair becomes dirty faster, and dandruff may occur.

The onset of menstruation in girls is an important event. And the child must be mentally prepared for it. Modern girls are already good at using the Internet and probably know what this physiological process is. But this does not mean that mothers should not tell their daughters about what menstruation is and at what age, how it happens and what to watch out for. Moreover, the child himself is often worried about a similar question: what is my period?

Read in this article

When will your first menstruation occur?

As they grow up and mature, many girls begin to wonder at what age menstruation begins. Several decades ago, girls began menstruation at the age of 17-18. Today, puberty occurs much earlier. The onset of the first critical days at 11-16 years of age is considered normal. Moreover, for some menstruation begins earlier, and for others later. The age at which menstruation begins is influenced by many factors:

• heredity;
• physical development;
• food and living conditions;
• diseases suffered in childhood.

At what age did mothers and grandmothers begin their periods, at what age will they most likely begin for their granddaughters and daughters. The time when menstruation starts is different for everyone. If a girl is ahead of her peers in physical development, it is most likely that her period will come earlier than others. Otherwise, if the daughter grows slowly, is often sick and is physically weak, she will most likely also lag behind in sexual development. With poor nutrition and lack of vitamins in the body, menstruation will occur a little later than usual.

It is not uncommon for girls to have periods at 12 years old, and periods at 11 years old are also normal. You can increasingly hear about the onset of menstruation even at 8-9 years old. If your period starts too early, most likely the reason is insufficient functioning of the appendages, frequent stress and nervous stress, pituitary dysfunction, grueling physical exercise, and poor ecology.

First signs

• tearfulness and frequent mood swings;
• apathy and aggressive state;
• pain in the lower abdomen.

How to prepare a child?

How to tell your daughter about menstruation worries every mother. This is a rather serious question and should not be shy about it. The first sign of menstruation in girls is spotting. At first they are scanty or moderate, and then, usually on the second day, they become abundant. Gradually by 3-5 days their volume decreases. The number of critical days is usually 3-7 days. The girl should know about this before it happens for the first time. Therefore, mom should tell her about this.

A nagging pain in the lower abdomen and the first signs of blood can frighten a girl. The mother's main goal is to tell her daughter that menstruation is a normal physiological process. In addition, in the first days of menstruation, girls may experience weakness and discomfort in the lower abdomen. Every girl and woman experiences menstruation and should not be afraid of it.

The mother decides for herself when menstruation begins and how to tell the girl about menstruation. The conversation should be friendly, but not instructive.

The mother should tell her daughter that:

• Menstruation occurs once a month and lasts up to 7 days. It may fluctuate in the first few years, after which it settles and averages 28 days.
• It is imperative to comply. Blood is a favorable environment for the life of bacteria, which contributes to the occurrence of various diseases.
• With the onset of menstruation, every girl enters the age of childbearing. Sexual relations with men can lead to... The daughter should know what the consequences of promiscuous and unprotected sex can lead to.

It is advisable to teach the girl to keep a calendar where she can mark the beginning and end of her period. This is necessary to be prepared for their attack. In addition, this information may be needed when visiting a specialist doctor. This is especially true for irregular periods. Since too small or too long a gap between menstruation can be a sign of problems in the body.

Hygiene during menstruation

Mothers should also tell their daughters that maintaining hygiene during menstruation is mandatory. All women and girls use pads or tampons during menstruation. For girls, the latter are the most preferable; they are more convenient to use. must have a cotton layer. Synthetic coverings may cause sweating and irritation and are not recommended.

Gaskets need to be changed every 2-3 hours. You should not contribute to the rapid development of bacteria - the longer the gasket is not replaced with a new one, the more serious the harm done to the body. If you do not replace the hygiene product after 6 or more hours of use, an infectious-toxic shock may occur. At the same time, body temperature rises, blood pressure drops, confusion and even coma are possible.

What else you need to consider about using gaskets:

• Before and after changing hygiene products, you should wash your hands to avoid infection;
• Do not use gaskets whose expiration date has expired (the degree of protection is reduced);
• It is not recommended to use scented pads, as aromatic components can cause allergies and irritation;
• do not save on purchases, since cheap hygiene products use low-quality raw materials;
• Pads cannot be stored in the bathroom, as high humidity is an ideal environment for microorganisms.

A girl should wear underwear made from natural fabrics. Thongs are not recommended, as this can provoke the development of infectious and inflammatory diseases.

The mother must explain to her daughter that it is strictly forbidden to take a bath during menstruation. The best option is to take a shower every day. In addition, during the day the girl should wash herself 2-3 times, preferably without using soap. Doctors recommend using gels or mousses containing lactic acid as a detergent. They do not have a negative effect on microflora, unlike soap.

It is not worth doing any other physical activity. You can do light exercises and health-improving exercises. It is advisable to provide the girl with psychological peace during this period.

Following a diet during menstruation is important. Alcohol and spicy foods should be avoided as they promote blood flow to the uterus. And this threatens to increase uterine bleeding.

When should you visit a gynecologist?

With the onset of your first menstruation, it is not necessary to regularly visit a gynecologist. Usually, girls have their first appointment at the age of 15-16. In case of early sexual activity, visits to the doctor should become regular.

You should consult a doctor in the following cases:

• the discharge has a strange smell, color and itching;
• menstruation lasts less than 2 days or more than 7 days;
• there is too much bleeding, which requires frequent changes of pads;
• after the first menstruation, menstruation stopped for more than half a year;
• in case of a cycle of less than 21 days and more than 35 days;
• In the discharge during menstruation there are too large blood clots the size of grapes.

As a rule, too short menstruation occurs due to weak production of sex hormones and ovarian dysfunction. Menstruation that lasts more than a week most likely occurs due to poor uterine contractility and pronounced estrogenic ovarian function.

You should definitely consult a doctor if your period does not come. The doctor must determine why menstruation does not start and take the necessary measures. Help is also needed if menstruation is accompanied by severe pain in the lower abdomen. At the same time, the girl becomes dizzy, she turns pale, her blood pressure rises, there is weakness and intestinal upset.

Conclusion

In order not to cause fear and panic in her daughter during the appearance of her first period, the mother should tell her about all the nuances of this natural physiological process. You should tell why this happens, ask about the regularity of menstruation, delays and the degree of pain. If any abnormalities are found, the girl should be shown to a doctor.