How should I approach this?
Your daughter’s first period is a momentous event in her life, but it can also be a little confusing and anxious too. When it arrives, it’s important she feels prepared and is aware of what’s happening to her.
Discuss the science
Although it sounds an obvious thing to say, it’s worth talking her through the basics of why we have periods, how the menstrual cycle works and the blood loss she'll experience. We've got all the information you need here to help explain these things, including a video about the menstrual cycle and a ‘Becoming a Teen’ booklet. If she wants to find out for herself, direct her to the ‘Becoming a Teen’ website which includes advice on all aspects of her body and periods.
Help her feel prepared
One of the biggest worries many girls have is starting their period when away from home or in school. Very often, wearing a pant liner on a daily basis can build her confidence as it alleviates any fear that she’ll be caught unaware.
It’s also a good idea to give her some pads to keep in her school bag just in case. Lil-Lets has a teens range specially designed with young girls in mind. Our teens starter pack contains a range of our products so she can try them all and work out what’s best for her. It also comes in a discreet cosmetic bag so she won’t get embarrassed if anyone sees it in her school bag.
Is there a minimum age for using tampons?
There is no minimum age for using tampons or a medical reason why a girl new to her periods should not use one. However, it is often best for them to understand their flow and monthly cycle before choosing to use this form of protection.
Anything else to add?
It’s perfectly normal for her period to last a couple of weeks too, so again, it’s worth sharing this bit of information with her so she’ll know what to expect.
What questions might she ask?
- When will my periods start?
- Do all girls start at the same age?
- How much will I bleed?
- Will anyone else know I’ve started my periods?
- Do periods hurt?
- How long should each period last?
- How often will I have a period?
- Which products should I use?
- How do I use the products and how often should I change them?
- Can I still exercise or swim when I’m on my period?
- If you're now wondering how you can answer these questions, we’ve covered all of these in our ‘Top 10 questions from girls’ .
Is there a minimum age for using tampons?
There is no minimum age for using tampons or a medical reason why a girl new to her periods should not use one. However, it is often best for them to understand their flow and monthly cycle before choosing to use this form of protection.
Show her products
It's easy to forget that she probably hasn’t seen what a pad looks like. Once you've bought a pack, show her a pad, how she should position it and how to dispose of it afterwards.
This should give her the confidence to do it herself next time. If you’d both rather not have this conversation directly, our ‘Becoming a Teen’ YouTube channel features animated videos on how to use pads so she can have a look in her own time.
The same applies to tampons as they can be really confusing, especially as they come in both an applicator and non-applicator formats.
Anything else to add?
It’s perfectly normal for her period to last a couple of weeks too, so again, it’s worth sharing this bit of information with her so she’ll know what to expect.