Periods: no need to panic
One day, between the ages of 10 to 15, you'll notice a dark-red or brown stain in your underwear: it's blood. You've now become fertile and are having your first period!
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Read on to learn more about what it all means and how to cope with your periods.
What are periods for?
Periods are women's reproductive cycle; a sign of sexual maturity. In other words, the ability to have a child. A period marks the start of a menstrual cycle and every month, if fertilisation has not taken place, hormones make the uterus get rid of its surface layer mucous membrane, which causes the bleeding. In the event of pregnancy, periods stop until the baby is born.
Keeping fresh during your periods
Protect your underwear using a sanitary towel that will absorb the blood flow like a nappy. Change your sanitary towel once or twice per each half-day. You can also use tampons, without risk of losing your virginity by tearing the hymen (a membrane which more or less blocks the vaginal entry).
Tampons, with or without an applicator, are slid into the vagina where they directly absorb the blood flow internally. Refer to the packet instructions to help you insert a tampon. If your tampon is positioned correctly, you won't feel it. Change it several times a day or when it starts to bother you to avoid any irritations. And remember to wash your hands both before and after inserting a tampon!
Whether you use tampons or sanitary towels, once used, throw them in a bin, don't flush them down the toilet.
Little period inconveniences you'll get used to
Note on a calendar the date you start your period every month: If you cycle is regular, you will be able to anticipate the date of your next period and protect your clothes from soiling.
Before and during a period, some girls suffer from abdominal pain, headaches and even nausea. Antispasmodic medication can help to relieve these symptoms but avoid aspirin, which thins the blood and will make your period heavier. In any case you should ask your mum and she'll help you out.
Young girls don't always have a regular cycle; so don't get panicked if your period doesn't arrive on the date you expected (unless you've had unprotected sex), it doesn't mean you're pregnant!
And especially, don't hesitate to consult your mum, close aunt, older sister or your doctor about your new womanly concerns.
Copyright © 2010 Doctissimo
Posted 30.06.2010
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