How to have the period talk as a parent

Anna Martin

How do you start the conversation about periods?

Do you remember how your parents told you that girls will bleed monthly for years? When you put it like that it sounds a lot scarier than what it really is.

So how can you approach the subject of menstruation in a way that’s both informative and easy to digest, well keep reading we’re here to help.

When should I tell my child about periods?

It doesn’t have to be one big conversation all in one go at a certain age.

In fact you can start introducing details as soon as your kid starts to show interest in learning more.

For example, if your 4-year-old sees a tampon and asks what it’s for, you could say, “Women bleed a little from their vagina every month.

“It’s called a period. It isn’t because they’re hurt. It’s how the body gets ready for a baby. The tampon catches the blood so it doesn’t go on the underwear.”

You can wait until their older to give all the information as to why this happens, as typically when children age they will have questions about why their body is changing.

This will provide the perfect opening to answer all their burning questions but now you’re probably wondering where to start.

When do girls typically have their first period?

Most girls get their first period when they’re between 10 and 15 years old but of course, everyone’s body has it’s own schedule in mind.

Although there’s no one right age for a girl to get her period, there are some clues that it will start soon.

One sign is vaginal discharge fluid that a girl might see or feel on her underwear. This discharge usually begins about 6 months to a year before a girl gets her first period.

What causes a period?

A period happens because of changes in hormones in the body.

The ovaries release the hormones estrogen and progesterone and these cause the lining of the uterus to build up.

The built-up lining is ready for a fertilized egg to attach and start developing. If there is no fertilized egg, the sheds and bleeds.

Then the same process happens all over again, usually taking about a month.

Can girls get pregnant as soon as they get a period?

Yes, a girl can get pregnant as soon as her period starts. A girl even can get pregnant right before her very first period as her hormones might already be active.