Tips For Teens: Starting Your Period
Starting your period can feel embarrassing, overwhelming, and even confusing. All of a sudden, your body is going through many changes that are completely out of your control. You can feel awkward, uncomfortable, and extremely self-conscious. It’s normal, and we all experience similar feelings at one point or another. But, rather than feeling embarrassed about what’s happening, you should embrace your changing body and the woman you are becoming.
Although the transition from childhood to adulthood is scary, you should also try to enjoy it because you only get to live it once!
Embrace your period
Starting your period marks the beginning of your fertility which is something that should be celebrated. However, we often find ourselves very self-conscious and unwilling to discuss this sudden addition to our lives. It’s no wonder, as, throughout history, periods have been viewed as taboo and something dirty. In many cultures, women were even sent away for being on their periods as they were seen as ‘impure’.
Thankfully, we have come a long way from this, but we still have a long way to go. In a survey conducted by Plan International UK, 48% of 1000 girls and women aged 14-21 felt embarrassed by their periods. A further 71% admitted that they were embarrassed to buy sanitary products. A staggering 59% revealed they had received negative remarks about their perceived behavior during their period.
These results are shocking, but unfortunately not a surprise at all. Periods are still very much seen as something shameful. This can be very isolating, especially for teens who are still getting used to their periods and need honesty and a lack of judgment to help them adjust to this new norm.
It’s important to remember that pretty much every woman and person with a womb gets their period, and it is by no means something you should feel ashamed of. In fact, it’s something that you should embrace, as being on your period is a time to really put yourself first and appreciate all the wonderful things that your body is capable of.
10 top tips for starting your periods
1. Don’t be alarmed
Going to the toilet and being met with bright red blood is certainly alarming, especially in the beginning. Up until this point, you probably have always associated blood with something negative such as an accident. But, when it comes to period blood, it’s quite the opposite! Period blood actually represents your health and fertility but it can take a while to get over the initial shock of seeing so much blood. Don’t worry, with time you will get used to it and one day your period blood won’t bother you at all anymore.
2. It’s going to be messy… and that’s fine
When you first start getting your period, they are often very heavy and last for a full seven days. As you get older, your period will most likely get lighter and shorter. But in the beginning, expect a lot of blood. Prepare yourself for a bright red toilet bowl, bloody bed sheets, and an absolute explosion when you sneeze. This is all very normal and nothing at all to be embarrassed about. Just make sure to clean up yourself and the toilet after, especially if it’s a public bathroom.
Remember: while it’s normal to have heavy periods in your teen years, sometimes very heavy periods can be a symptom of something else. Please check in with your doctor if you bleed through pads and tampons, bleed for longer than 7 days, or have very very painful cramps.
3. Use shampoo
At some point, you are probably going to wake up to a bed full of blood, not to mention staining your underwear. When this happens, it’s best to try and remove the blood stain while it’s still fresh, so it’s easier to remove. Squirt some shampoo onto the stain and run the garment underneath some hot water. Use your fingers to rub the material together, and the stain will come out easily. After that, wash the bedsheets or underwear as normal and they’ll be as good as new.
4. Be prepared
Keep a little ‘period bag’ in your school bag to be prepared for anything and everything. Even if you haven’t started your period yet, it’s a good idea to have one as well, as you never know when she’s going to arrive. In your bag you can include:
- some extra pads and tampons,
- a mini packet of wet wipes,
- extra panties and tights,
- and some painkillers for your cramps.
You could even choose a pretty embroidered bag or one that has something meaningful to you on it. Who said periods can’t be fun, right?
5. Irregular IS regular
It can take a few years for your periods to become regular. You might have your first period and then not have another one for a few months and so on, it’s normal. However, if you are 16 years old and are still having irregular periods, it’s best to check in with your doctor. Sometimes a hormone imbalance can lead to irregular periods, but your doctor can help you with that.
6. You are NOT going to leak
“Have I got something on my back?”, we’ve all asked our friend this question at some point after sitting for a while. School can be a minefield, and the added fear of leaking blood all over your chair certainly doesn’t help. But the chance of this happening is very unlikely. Unless you have very, very heavy periods, you most likely won’t leak much past your underwear. However, you can wear a thicker pad or even cycle shorts under your clothes to help you feel less anxious.
7. Have honest conversations
Have honest and open conversations about your periods with those around you. It can seem awkward or embarrassing at first, but it really doesn’t need to be. You’d be surprised by how much you can connect with the other women in your life by talking about this. It will also help you to realize that you aren’t alone. After all, everyone else has the same fears and doubts that you’re having.
8. Get to know your body
When you start your periods, a body part you’ve never paid much attention to suddenly becomes so important. As you go through puberty, you will become more aware of your genitals. And, it’s important to familiarize yourself with them. This will be especially useful if you wish to use tampons or a menstrual cup. At first, both seem a bit scary, but with practice, will become nothing more than a habit.
9. Treat yourself
Being on your period is a time to take it easy and vamp up the self-care. It’s your time to relax and reflect and prepare yourself for a new cycle (more on that later). There’s so much going on all the time, pressure from school, drama with friends…But now is the time to take a step back and really focus on yourself. Put on some comfy clothes, grab a hot water bottle, and do things that make you feel at ease. This could be reading a book, watching a new TV series, or spending some time in nature. Do whatever it is that makes you feel good.
10. Be patient
Don’t worry if you haven’t started your period yet and all your friends have, you will at some point. While the average age to start having periods is 12, they can begin at any age between 8 to 16. Just be patient and enjoy not having to worry about them for this moment. However, if you are 16 years old and still haven’t started your period, it’s best to check in with your doctor just in case. It is most likely nothing too serious, but your doctor can help get your hormones in check if they are unbalanced.
BONUS: Track your cycle with Beginning.com
Your cycle is a series of natural hormonal changes that occur each month, in preparation for pregnancy. It’s made up of four stages: menstruation (your period), the follicular phase, ovulation (when an egg is released), and the luteal phase. A new cycle begins with your period and ends on the first day of your next period. During this time, your hormones change a lot. This can have an effect on your mood, energy levels, how well you sleep, and other aspects of your daily life. Getting to know your cycle can give you an idea of what’s going on inside your body and essentially help you understand yourself better.
You can track your cycle with Beginning.com to keep an eye on all symptoms, know when your period is due, and get personalized tips. Using our app will help you get to know yourself more intimately as your body changes each day. Puberty can be challenging, but at Beginning.com, we’re here to help guide you as you get used to this new norm.