Kids Questions about Menstruation

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Kids Questions about Menstruation

By peace | March 24, 2006

Common Questions Kids Ask About Periods
Children – both girls and boys – often have lots of questions about menstruation, such as:

How come only girls have periods? Explain that boys change in different ways during puberty, like the deepening of their voices and the growth of facial hair. Getting her period means a girl can have a baby.
Do girls have their periods for the rest of their lives? No, a woman stops having her period usually between the ages of 45 and 50, which means she will no longer be able to become pregnant (at least without the help of some fancy reproductive technology, that is!).
How long does a period last and how much blood is there? It varies for each girl, but some girls have their period for 3 days and others have it for a week. Periods can be light, moderate, or heavy, and there can be a total of a few tablespoons (30 to 59 milliliters) of blood or up to as much as half a cup (118 milliliters). And this can vary from period to period in the same girl.
Are pads or tampons better? In choosing between the 2, what matters is the girl’s physical and emotional comfort. A tampon can be uncomfortable in the years right after menstruation starts, when the pelvis and vagina are still growing. Usually, girls are more comfortable using pads at first, but they may want to start using tampons when they get older (although they don’t need to wait to use tampons until a certain age). Their friends may have started using them, and the freedom tampons can give may be appealing. Each box of tampons includes instructions, so be sure to read them with your daughter and show her how tampons work.

Although the first few times using a tampon can be frustrating, explain to your daughter that it will soon be easy with a little practice. Because the muscles of the vagina can become tense when a girl is nervous, it can be difficult to insert a tampon at first. It’s important to relax as much as possible. It may also help to start with a slim tampon with an applicator because they can be easier to insert.

Do girls have to stop playing sports or swimming while they have their periods? Girls should understand they can do everything they normally would do – as long as they’re comfortable. For example, girls who swim may prefer to wear a tampon so they can continue to practice while menstruating.
What’s toxic shock syndrome (TSS)? TSS is a rare but serious bacterial infection that’s associated with tampon use. Fortunately, TSS can almost always be prevented by changing tampons regularly (every 4 hours is a good guideline) and by using the smallest size possible (for example, “slender regular” instead of “super plus”). A reasonable precaution is to change tampons every 4 hours or more frequently if the blood flow is heavy.
Do girls always have cramps with their periods? Concern about cramps is a big issue for some girls. But until girls start their period, it’s unknown whether they will have cramps. It’s important to tell girls that cramps don’t usually last long. Sometimes, a hot water bottle or a hot bath can help ease discomfort. Some find that deep breathing and exercising help, too. If cramps become too uncomfortable, your daughter might want to take an over-the-counter medicine like ibuprofen (such as Advil or Motrin).
Having cramps for a day or 2 each month is common, but signs of dysmenorrhea – severely painful menstruation that interferes with a girl’s ability to attend school or study or sleep – or other menstrual problems should be discussed with your child’s doctor.
What’s PMS? Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) includes physical and emotional changes (mood swings and irritability, tension, bloating, and breast tenderness) that can occur during the time right before some girls get their periods. But girls usually don’t develop symptoms associated with PMS until several years after menstruation starts – if ever. For those who do experience PMS, plenty of rest, exercise, and eating a balanced diet may help.
Do girls need to douche or use deodorant spray when they have their periods? No. In fact, douching can increase a girl’s possibility of infection by disrupting the normal balance of bacteria in the vagina.