A to Z about your "Period": Things young girls need to know!

It's about time you learned about those "special" days that your friends would talk about at school, and sometimes your sister would say, "I have a bit of a stomachache today." Yes, I'm talking about "Period." What is it, why does it happen, and is it something to be afraid of? Let's find the answers to all those questions in a story today. Very simply, in a way that you can understand!

So, you're not a little girl anymore, you're slowly growing up. As you grow up, your body goes through a lot of changes. One of the most important things is starting your period. Some people call this "growing up."

What is a period? Why does this happen?

Okay, first let's look at what a period is. Simply put, a period is the passage of a little blood from a girl's uterus through her vagina . It's a natural process that happens in your body. It's just like breathing or digesting food.

This means that you are slowly approaching the final stages of puberty . And, most importantly, if you have sex after your period starts, you can have a baby. But there's still time for that, right? For now, let's just learn about your period.

What causes periods? The magic that happens inside!

Do you think this is why you're bleeding? This is because of the chemical messengers in your body called hormones . They're like little messengers working inside our bodies. Two of the main hormones are estrogen and progesterone . These come from your ovaries .

These two hormones work together to thicken the lining of your uterus. It's like preparing a mattress for a baby to come in. This thickened lining is ready for a fertilized egg (that is, an egg that has been fertilized by a sperm) to implant and grow into a baby.

But not every month a fertilized egg is released. If no egg is released, the thickened uterine lining breaks down and comes out with blood. That's what we call a period. Then the process starts all over again.

It usually takes about a month for the uterine lining to thicken and break down. That's why most people get their period about once a month.

When will your period start? Is it near for you too?

Most girls get their first period around the age of 12. But some may get it a few years earlier, while others may get it a few years later. Just because your friend Sandali got her period at 11 doesn't mean you should get it too. Dilmi might get it at 13. Everyone's body has its own time.

There's no such thing as too old to get your period. But there are a few signs that you may be getting your period:

1. Breast development: Usually, your period comes about 2 years after your breasts start to grow.
2. Hair begins to grow under the armpits and in the private parts.
3. Seeing or feeling vaginal discharge : This is a thin, watery fluid that usually starts about 6 months before your first period.

If you see these signs, you might think, “Oh, I think my period is coming soon.” It doesn't mean you need to panic, it just means you need to be prepared.

What is the relationship between ovulation and the period?

“Ovulation” (oh-uh-le-tion) is the release of an egg from the ovaries. The same hormones that thicken the uterine lining also help an egg to be released from an ovary. This egg then travels down a thin tube called the **fallopian tube** to the uterus.

• Think of it this way: Your ovaries are like two little egg sacs. About every month, one egg is released from each sac.

If the egg that comes in meets a sperm cell (is fertilized), it attaches to the uterine wall and develops into a small baby over time. But if the egg is not fertilized, the thickened uterine wall breaks down and comes out with blood. That's what your period is.

Does your period come regularly once it starts?

For the first year or two after you start your period, it won't come on the same day or in the same way every month. That means it might come early some months and late some months. This is very normal at first, so don't worry about it. In most cases, after two or three years of your first period, your period will start to become more regular. That means it will start to come every 4-5 weeks. It's normal to be irregular for the first 1-2 years, but it should become more regular after 2-3 years.

Is it possible to get pregnant as soon as your period starts?

Yes! This is something that many people don't know. You can get pregnant as soon as you start your period. Sometimes you can get pregnant even before your first period . How do you know that?

Your hormones may have already started to work by then. Those hormones may have caused ovulation and thickened the uterine lining. If you have sex at that time, you may still be pregnant, even if you have never had a period. So it's very important to be aware of this.

How long does a period last? How long does it take to come?

A period usually lasts about 5 days. But some people can have it shorter or longer. Even 3 to 7 days can be normal.

Periods usually come every 4-5 weeks (that's between 28-35 days). However, some girls may have their periods a little less frequently (like every 3 weeks – 21 days) or more frequently (like every 6 weeks).

A brief summary of the period:

• How long does it last (Duration)? Usually between 3-7 days.
• How often does it come (Frequency)? Usually between 21-35 days (3-5 weeks).

It's good to remember that this may be a bit of a stretch in the beginning.

What should you use during your period? Pad, Tampon, or Menstrual Cup?

There are several ways to manage your period bleeding. You may need to experiment a bit to find what works best for you. Some girls use only one method, while others use different methods depending on the time of day.

1. Pads: Many girls use pads from the time they get their first period. These are made of cotton and come in different sizes and shapes. They have sticky strips that you can stick to your underwear. A pad should be changed every 4-6 hours.
   • Pros: Easy to use, very suitable for beginners.
   • Disadvantage: Sometimes it can be uncomfortable when swimming or doing sports.
2. Tampons: Many girls prefer to use tampons over pads, especially when playing sports or swimming. A tampon is a small plug made of cotton. It is inserted into your vagina. Many tampons come with an applicator. This helps you insert the tampon properly. The tampon absorbs the blood from inside.
   • Important: Do not leave a tampon in for more than 8 hours. Doing so increases the risk of developing a dangerous infection called Toxic Shock Syndrome . So don't forget to change it on time.
3. Menstrual Cup: This may still be a bit of a novelty in Sri Lanka. Most menstrual cups are made of silicone. This also needs to be inserted into the vagina. The blood collects inside it, and then you can take it out, remove the blood, wash it, and use it again.
   • The good side: One cup can be used for years, and is good for the environment. It can be kept in place for up to 12 hours at a time (depending on the amount of bleeding).
   • Disadvantage: It takes a little getting used to at first.

So what's best? The best thing is to choose what's comfortable for you and fits your lifestyle. Maybe you'd rather use a pad at school and a tampon at netball practice. There's nothing wrong with that!

Example: Imagine, Sandali is very active. She does sports and dances all the time. So it is much more comfortable for her to use a tampon or a menstrual cup than a pad. But her friend Dilmi is someone who stays home most of the time and reads books. Using a pad is very comfortable for her. So you can choose your way too.

How much blood comes out? A lot?

When you see the amount of blood that comes out during your period, you may think, “Wow, that’s a lot of blood!” But in reality, only a few tablespoons of blood comes out during your entire period. On average, you only need to change a pad, tampon, or menstrual cup 3-6 times a day.

But some people may bleed a little more, some less. It also varies from person to person.

Will I have periods for the rest of my life?

Women reach menopause around the age of 45-55. That's when their periods stop permanently. Also, their periods stop during pregnancy . Other than that, yes, you'll still have your periods every month for a few years.

What is PMS? Is it just me?

“PMS” stands for Premenstrual Syndrome . This refers to the mental and physical symptoms you experience in the days before your period or during your period. What are these?

• Moodiness: Suddenly feeling angry or sad.
• Sadness: Just feeling sad.
• Anxiety: Feeling anxious about even the smallest things.
• Bloating : Feeling like your stomach is full.
• Acne : Pimples appear on the face.

These symptoms go away after the first few days of your period. It's not just you, many girls and women have this PMS. So it's normal.

Imagine this: Your friend starts crying over the smallest things or gets angry easily when her period is approaching. It's not her fault, it could be PMS.

What to do for stomach cramps?

Many girls experience stomach aches, or cramps, during their periods. Especially during the first few days. This can be very annoying. But don't worry, there are things you can do about it.

• Place a hot water bottle (heating pad) on your stomach: This often reduces pain.
• Take an Ibuprofen or Naproxen tablet: These are painkillers . You can get them from the pharmacy. But it's better to ask your doctor. (In Sri Lanka, some people use Panadol, but Ibuprofen may be more effective for period cramps.)

A little tip: Drink plenty of water and do light exercise a day or two before your period. This will also help reduce cramps.

When should I see a doctor?

Most girls don't have any major problems with their periods. However, sometimes it's important to talk to a doctor. For example, if you're 15 and haven't started your period yet, see a doctor. Also, if you've been getting your period for more than 2 years and it's still not coming regularly , that is, every 4-5 weeks, you should also talk to a doctor.

Also, bleeding between periods is not normal, so seek medical advice. If you have severe cramps that don't go away with painkillers like ibuprofen or naproxen , or if you 're bleeding heavily , meaning you're having to change a pad or tampon every hour, that's also a condition that you should see a doctor about.

If your period lasts more than a week or you have severe PMS that is interfering with your daily activities , don't be afraid to see a doctor. They will help you. There is nothing to be ashamed of or afraid of. These are important things that are related to your health.

What else do I need to know?

Your period is a natural, healthy thing. It's a part of your life. It doesn't mean you have to stop exercising, having fun, or enjoying life.

If you have any more questions about your period, don't be afraid to ask your doctor, your mom, your dad (yes, it's good for dads to know these things too!), your school health teacher, your school nurse, or your sister. They will help you.

You are not alone!

Remember, every girl, every woman in the world goes through this experience. So you are not alone. The important thing is to learn to live with it, without making a big deal out of it.

• Sleep well.
• Eat nutritious food.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Relax.

These things will help you stay healthy during your period and other days.

So, sister, I hope you have a better understanding of your period now. This is nothing to be afraid of, it is a very normal, natural thing that happens to your body. So don't be afraid! Good luck to you in the future!