My period has started! What should I do?
This is my first period and I don’t know what to expect. What should I do first?
Your first period is the signal of a normal and natural transition for your body, and you have absolutely nothing to worry about. Since it’s your first time, tell a parent, older sibling, friend, or trusted teacher. They’ll be able to help get you the info and sanitary products that you need. Menstruation is a natural and important event in the life of every girl. It is a sign indicating her sexual maturity, and this means that you are now able to bear children when she decides on this (with her partner) in future. The timing of the first menstruation varies. It appears between ages 9 and 16, depending on the different nature of the body from girl to girl. You have the right to understand the monthly cycle and how menstruation occurs so as to feel confident and comfortable with your body if you are a girl, so as to understand what happens with the opposite sex if we are boys, and so as to understand together when is the time of fertility for the woman when we desire and decide together to become parents in future.
How do I stay clean during my period?
Staying clean
Do’s.
- Choose your method of sanitation either sanitary pads, Tampons
- Change your sanitary pads at least once every six hours even if the flow is mild.
- Wash yourself regularly
- Wipe off your vagina very well when changing your pads
- Use water only to wash the pubic area, the vagina has a way of cleaning itself.
- Wash from the pubic area to the anus to avoid bacteria from the anus entering the vagina, the same when wiping
- Dispose your pads properly, start by wrapping it with toilet paper and tie it in a plastic or use the pad plastic to wrap it up and throw it in the pad bin or in the pit latrine.
- Always carry extra sanitary pads with you when leaving home.
- Wash outside of your vagina (and thighs if they got blood on them) with clean water once or twice a day, if you can.
- Wash any clothing that got stained with cold water and soap.
- Change your pad, cloth or tampon as soon as it is getting full to prevent leaks (for tampons, change at least every 4-8 hours)
Don’ts
- Stay with a pad for a long time, more than 6 hours
- Never flush pads down a flush toilet.
- Burn the pads in the rubbish pit
- You should never try to wash the inside of your vagina with water, soap or any other product.
Note to remember
- Sometimes the menstrual cycle causes headache, cramps or pain in abdomen, nausea and tiredness this is normal.
- A light painkiller may be taken for the pain and warm bath or hot water bottle can help with the cramps. If you feel unwell because of your period inform an adult (a teacher, parent or guardian) to get the necessary support .
Sanitary products seem hard to use. How do I decide which one is right for me?
Don’t be intimidated. Sanitary products are improving over time, and they exist to make your life easier. Depending on the availability at your local chemist or supermarket, you’ll have a range of choices from a sanitary pad to a tampon, sanitary cup, or disposable and reusable cloth pads. You can try all of them and decide which is most comfortable for you or you can also use some combination of a few, depending on how heavy or light your period is on certain days.
Remember...
- As always, wash your hands before leaving a bathroom and after changing a sanitary product.
- Don’t flush a sanitary product because it will damage the sewage system. Before putting it in the garbage, wrap it in toilet paper.
- Over time, your cycle will likely regulate and become easier to track, but in the meantime, be prepared with products in your bag in case of a surprise.