Every girl gets her period. It's only natural, and most people have questions, or need help knowing what's normal or how to use products. Hopefully this article will help.
Step 1
Tell your mother! She can buy you the supplies you need.
Step 2
If you are only young or this is your first period, sanitary napkins (pads) would be the best option. Your mother can show you how to do this, or if you are to embarrassed to ask her, simply pull your panties down to your knees, unwrap the packaging, slide off the sticker on the bottom of the pad and stick it to your underwear. The round side will go at the front.
Step 3
If you use tampons: unwrap the packaging, make sure the two strings are hanging down and insert the tampon about half a finger up your vagina. Remember that your vagina is not straight, it goes back towards your spine, so you might need to insert it vertically.
Step 4
Keep the supplies next to the toilet in your bathroom, or in your bedroom. You should also leave some supplies in a little make up bag that you can keep in your bag or your locker at school just in case you get your period. Remember that to dispose of the supplies you need to: fold the sanitary napkin up (or just leave the tampon like it is) and throw it in a bin, or the box you see in public toilets or school toilets.
Step 5
Your period will normally consist of about 2-3 heavy days, 2-3 medium days and 1-2 light days. On a heavy day you will need to change the sanitary napkin every 2-3 hours. On a medium day, 3-4, and on a light day, 4-5. You can buy sanitary napkins in different absorbencies, but never leave a sanitary napkin there too long, as you will start smelling an unpleasant odour. Never leave a tampon in for more than 4 hours (2 on heavy days) as you will be at risk or TSS (see warnings). Also if you are going to use tampons you cannot use them all the time, as you need to give your vagina some time to air. never use tampons at night, as might sleep through your night, therefore not changing your tampon for 8-12 hours.
Step 6
Keep buying different brands of sanitary napkins/ tampons until you find the one that you like best. Remember that every girl is different, so all different brands, not just the popular ones.
Tips
- When you have your period wear black underwear and pants, because if you leak and blood stains your pants no-one will notice it.
- Keep a calender of when you got your period, when it ends and what days its heavy/light.
- If you think you are due to get your period soon (Most women's period comes about every 28 days, but it takes 2-3 years for your menstruation cycle to get into a pattern, so don't expect it to come to regularly) try using liners. liners are about as thin as paper, and are designed to absorb only a bit of blood, but will stop you leaking for about an hour. Liners can also be used to collect discharge, which you'll start seeing around the time you first get your period.
Warnings
- If you leave a tampon in for a long time you are at risk of TSS. For more info about TSS, google Toxic Shock Syndrome.
- Some women are anemic. Anemia is when your period comes too often (every 2-3 weeks) and is really heavy. This is because you loose to much blood for your body to keep up with. If you are getting heavy periods often, are feeling dizzy or about to pass out, consult your doctor.
- 78% of women get period pain (cramps) just before they get their period so that they know it's coming. However if your period pain is too bad (dizziness, extreme pain, nearly passing out) consult your doctor immediately.
