How To Deal With Your Period

How-To Topics » menstrual, vagina, period, tampon, menstruation, first period, getting your period, menstruating, menstruation period, periods, menstrual cycle, tampons, how to insert, how to tampon, how to tampons, insert a tampon, insert tampon, insert tampons, inserting a tampon, inserting tampon, inserting tampons, tampax, tampon insertion, tampon use, tampons insert, cramps, feminine hygiene, how to use a tampon, how to use tampons, tampon how to, tampon instructions, tampon video, use a tampon, using tampons, cycle menstrual, irregular period, late period, menstrual bleeding, menstrual cramps, menstrual cycles, menstrual period, period spotting, period woman, teen advice, teen girl, teen girl advice, feminine hygiene products, mood swings, deal with period, pantyliner

This article was provided by wikiHow, a wiki building the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on how to deal with your period. Content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons License.

Grade A- Views 1,163
Last edited 5 months ago

Have a hard time when that time of the month comes? Here are some tips to help you become less stressed when your "friend" comes!

Step 1

Always keep a pad/tampon/pantyliner /etc. with you. Even if it's not that time of the month, you should still carry it with you just in case. Pantyliners are easier to carry around with you because they're smaller and should be able to hold the flow of blood over until you're able to get a pad.

Step 2

Try plain ibuprofen first, if you have cramps. If ibuprofen doesn't work, try Midol next time (calcium/magnesium supplements also work for many). If it still doesn't work, put a heating pad or heated wheat bag (NEVER A HOT WATER BOTTLE - see warning)on the painful spots, take a bath, or exercise. It might help to cut down on the amount of sugar and salt you eat. Also, you can try lying on your back on the floor with your legs elevated on the couch - it forces your uterine muscles to relax and is a natural pain reliever after ten or fifteen minutes.

Step 3

Try to keep track of how long you have your period, when it started and ends, how heavy it is, etc. If your period lasts longer than 10 days, consult your gynecologist.

Step 4

Take a day off! Relieve all that stress.

Step 5

Get plenty of rest and eat healthy. It will keep your body in balance, and you won't feel as bad. Be careful not to change your diet completely, as it will create more complications.

Step 6

Warn people you are close to ahead of time, if you are moody so they can prepare and take caution. Part of maturing into womanhood, though, is learning to manage your moods. If you experience severe mood swings, tell your doctor -you may need some help with an imbalance.

Step 7

Wear comfortable clothes. Most women would prefer not to wear uncomfortable clothing while having their period. Wear some sweat pants and a sweatshirt or anything else that feels comfortable, but don't make it too obvious. You can just wear black pants and keep a jacket around in case you stain your pants. When that happens, you can just tie it around your waist.

Step 8

Try not to stress out! Stress can affect your flow and/or your cycle. Relax for a little bit and don't worry about it. Other women have to go through the same thing, so you're not the only one!

Step 9

If you have to change for gym in school, wear red, black or brown underwear. People will be less likely to notice you have your period. Also, try changing your pad before gym and try to wear pads without wings. It will be much harder for girls to tell that you have your period if you're wearing a pad without wings. Try changing your pants or shorts wearing a long t-shirt, if you prefer.

Tips

Try different combinations of pads and tampons. For example, try a light tampon and a pantyliner when your flow isn't so heavy, or try a larger sized tampon with a pantyliner for heavy flows.
If a certain size of tampon doesn't fit, don't force it! Try a different size.
Don't change your diet when you are about to have or you do have your period.
Don't pig out! You may desperately want to, but high doses of sugar and salt may cause severe cramps.
Wear darker pants/shorts and panties during your period so if you do happen to leak it won't be as noticeable.
Try not wearing skirts or dresses during your period, unless you are absolutely sure your flow is light. You don't want a leak happening.
Wear older panties (known as "period panties") during your period.
Do shower regularly during your period.
Carry around a small purse with your tampon/pad. You don't want to keep them in a pencil case because people are likely to go through them.
Feminax is a good painkiller.
Try finding leak resistant panties also to wear, if you are worried about having a leak.
Eat bananas! They help with cramps!
One thing I've done for cramps is I let my cat lay on wherever it hurts. She purrs, and her heat makes the cramps go away!!!!! You can do this with other small, fuzzy critters, too (dogs, rabbits, etc).
Whether you use a tampon or a pad it is best to schedule when you are going to change it at certain points of the day. Obviously it does not always go to plan but make sure you are ready to change it more than you know you need to (especially with tampons - DONT RISK TSS).
Incase you are paranoid that the tampon may leak you can always still wear a pad whilst wearing the tampon.

Warnings

If you feel nausea, headaches, hot flashes, or fatigue while using a tampon, take the tampon out and replace it with a pad to prevent TSS (toxic shock syndrome) and see your doctor.
If you don't change your pad/tampon regularly you might smell an unpleasant odor. Change it regularly.
Read the labels on any medications you take, even over-the-counter ones, especially if you are sensitive to any medications. Many of those formulated for periods have multiple ingredients in them, so if plain ibuprofen works for you, stick with that.
If you wear tampons, at least one day of your period should be without one and wear a pad. It's better for you that way.