Question & Answers
Common Questions and Concerns Girls Face During Menstruation and Puberty
The following information is compiled by BFF to address common questions and concerns girls face during menstruation and puberty. It aims to help you better understand and handle the various challenges during these periods, providing educational answers to boost your confidence in dealing with bodily changes.
1. First Menstruation: When Does It Start?
Answer: The first menstruation typically starts between ages 10 and 16. This is part of puberty. Every girl's body is different, so don't worry if your period starts earlier or later than your peers.
2. How to Know What the First Period Feels Like and What Are the Signs?
Answer: Before the first period, you might notice signs like increased vaginal discharge, breast development, and mild lower abdominal pain. Everyone's experience is different, but these signs can help you prepare.
3. Menstrual Pain: How to Relieve It?
Answer: Menstrual pain is common. You can relieve it with warm compresses, light exercise, adequate rest, and hydration. If the pain is severe, it's wise to consult a doctor.
4. Irregular Periods: Is It Normal?
Answer: Irregular periods can occur in the first few years after your first period as your body adjusts to new hormonal changes. If irregularity persists or is accompanied by severe discomfort, consult a doctor.
5. Menstrual Hygiene: How to Stay Clean?
Answer: Maintaining good hygiene during your period is important. Change your sanitary pads every 2-4 hours, wash your external genital area daily with warm water, and avoid using soaps and chemical cleansers to prevent skin irritation.
6. Why Do I Feel Itchy or Have Redness When Using Some Sanitary Pads?
Answer: You might be allergic to certain chemicals or fragrances in some sanitary pads. Opt for fragrance-free, chemical-free pads or organic cotton pads to reduce allergies and discomfort.
7. Puberty Skin Problems: How to Deal With Them?
Answer: Hormonal changes during puberty can cause skin problems like acne. Keep your skin clean, use gentle skincare products, eat a healthy diet, and get enough sleep. For severe skin issues, consult a dermatologist.
8. Body Changes: How to Adapt?
Answer: Puberty brings rapid changes like breast development and increased body hair. Understanding these changes as normal and discussing them with parents or trusted adults can help you adapt better.
9. Mood Swings: How to Cope?
Answer: Hormonal changes during puberty can cause mood swings. Manage your emotions through exercise, journaling, and talking to friends. If it's particularly challenging, seek psychological counseling.
10. Nutritional Needs: How to Eat?
Answer: Puberty is crucial for physical development, so a balanced diet is essential. Consume enough protein, vitamins, and minerals like calcium and iron to support healthy growth.
11. Can You Exercise During Your Period? Any Precautions?
Answer: Yes, you can exercise during your period. Moderate activities like walking, yoga, or light aerobic exercises can help alleviate menstrual pain and improve mood. Choose activities you feel comfortable with.
12. Menstrual Education: Who to Talk To?
Answer : If you have questions about menstruation or body development, don't hesitate to talk to parents, school counselors, or doctors. They can provide reliable information and support.
13. Can You Swim During Your Period? Should You Wear a Pad?
Answer: You can swim during your period, but it's not recommended to use pads as they absorb water. Tampons or menstrual cups are more suitable for swimming as they are more convenient and comfortable.
14. Other Methods for Swimming During Your Period Without Using Tampons or Menstrual Cups:
The following information is compiled by BFF to address common questions and concerns girls face during menstruation and puberty. It aims to help you better understand and handle the various challenges during these periods, providing educational answers to boost your confidence in dealing with bodily changes.
1. First Menstruation: When Does It Start?
Answer: The first menstruation typically starts between ages 10 and 16. This is part of puberty. Every girl's body is different, so don't worry if your period starts earlier or later than your peers.
2. How to Know What the First Period Feels Like and What Are the Signs?
Answer: Before the first period, you might notice signs like increased vaginal discharge, breast development, and mild lower abdominal pain. Everyone's experience is different, but these signs can help you prepare.
3. Menstrual Pain: How to Relieve It?
Answer: Menstrual pain is common. You can relieve it with warm compresses, light exercise, adequate rest, and hydration. If the pain is severe, it's wise to consult a doctor.
4. Irregular Periods: Is It Normal?
Answer: Irregular periods can occur in the first few years after your first period as your body adjusts to new hormonal changes. If irregularity persists or is accompanied by severe discomfort, consult a doctor.
5. Menstrual Hygiene: How to Stay Clean?
Answer: Maintaining good hygiene during your period is important. Change your sanitary pads every 2-4 hours, wash your external genital area daily with warm water, and avoid using soaps and chemical cleansers to prevent skin irritation.
6. Why Do I Feel Itchy or Have Redness When Using Some Sanitary Pads?
Answer: You might be allergic to certain chemicals or fragrances in some sanitary pads. Opt for fragrance-free, chemical-free pads or organic cotton pads to reduce allergies and discomfort.
7. Puberty Skin Problems: How to Deal With Them?
Answer: Hormonal changes during puberty can cause skin problems like acne. Keep your skin clean, use gentle skincare products, eat a healthy diet, and get enough sleep. For severe skin issues, consult a dermatologist.
8. Body Changes: How to Adapt?
Answer: Puberty brings rapid changes like breast development and increased body hair. Understanding these changes as normal and discussing them with parents or trusted adults can help you adapt better.
9. Mood Swings: How to Cope?
Answer: Hormonal changes during puberty can cause mood swings. Manage your emotions through exercise, journaling, and talking to friends. If it's particularly challenging, seek psychological counseling.
10. Nutritional Needs: How to Eat?
Answer: Puberty is crucial for physical development, so a balanced diet is essential. Consume enough protein, vitamins, and minerals like calcium and iron to support healthy growth.
11. Can You Exercise During Your Period? Any Precautions?
Answer: Yes, you can exercise during your period. Moderate activities like walking, yoga, or light aerobic exercises can help alleviate menstrual pain and improve mood. Choose activities you feel comfortable with.
12. Menstrual Education: Who to Talk To?
Answer : If you have questions about menstruation or body development, don't hesitate to talk to parents, school counselors, or doctors. They can provide reliable information and support.
13. Can You Swim During Your Period? Should You Wear a Pad?
Answer: You can swim during your period, but it's not recommended to use pads as they absorb water. Tampons or menstrual cups are more suitable for swimming as they are more convenient and comfortable.
14. Other Methods for Swimming During Your Period Without Using Tampons or Menstrual Cups:
- Menstrual Swimwear: Specially designed swimwear with built-in absorbent layers to absorb menstrual blood.
- Short Swims: Swim on days with lighter flow or for short durations without any absorbent products. Choose appropriate times and limit swimming to 30 minutes or less, changing and cleaning up immediately afterward.
- Change Before Swimming: Use a clean pad before swimming and change it immediately after.
- Water Pressure: Water pressure temporarily slows menstrual flow. Swim for short periods on lighter days and monitor your body.
Summary and Recommendations
- Personal Comfort and Safety: Choose the method that suits you best, ensuring comfort and confidence. Maintain good hygiene by changing and cleaning up promptly to avoid infections and discomfort.
15. Can You Wash Your Hair During Your Period?
Answer: Yes, you can wash your hair during your period. Maintaining personal hygiene is important, and washing your hair with warm water and keeping it dry will not harm your health.
16. How Long After Your Period Starts? What Is the Menstrual Cycle Length?
Answer: The standard menstrual cycle is about 28 days, but it can vary from 21 to 35 days. The cycle may be irregular in the first few years after the first period.
17. How Long Does a Period Last, and How Much Blood Is Normal?
Answer: A period usually lasts 3 to 7 days. The amount of menstrual blood varies, but typically needing to change a pad 3-5 times a day is normal. Consult a doctor if you feel the amount is unusually high or low.
18. Period Discomfort: Why Does It Hurt?
Answer: Period pain is due to uterine contractions, which help expel the uterine lining. Moderate exercise, warm compresses, or pain relief medication can help. If pain is severe, consult a doctor.
19. Pre-Menstrual Symptoms: Why Do I Have Mood Swings and Irritability?
Answer: This is caused by premenstrual syndrome (PMS) due to hormonal fluctuations. Maintaining healthy habits like sufficient sleep, a balanced diet, and moderate exercise can help alleviate these symptoms.
20. Can You Eat Cold Food or Drink Cold Beverages During Your Period?
Answer: Yes, you can eat cold food and drink cold beverages during your period, but in moderation. If you feel cold items worsen your discomfort, opt for warm foods and drinks.
21. Why Do You Feel Tired During Your Period?
Answer: Fatigue during your period can be due to iron loss from blood loss and hormonal fluctuations. Estrogen levels drop, affecting mood and causing fatigue. Maintain a balanced diet rich in iron (like red meat and spinach) and ensure adequate rest and hydration.
22. Is Breast Pain and Discomfort Normal During Development?
Answer: Yes, breast pain and discomfort during development are normal, caused by hormonal changes. Wearing well-fitting supportive bras and avoiding impact can reduce discomfort.
23. Why Do You Experience Constipation or Diarrhea During Your Period?
Answer: Hormonal changes during your period can affect bowel function, causing constipation or diarrhea. A balanced diet with plenty of fiber and water helps maintain normal digestion.
24. Can You Pluck Eyebrows or Remove Hair During Your Period?
Answer: Yes, but be aware that skin might be more sensitive during your period, making it more painful. Consider doing these beauty treatments in the later phase of your period or after it ends for more comfort.
25. Why Does Your Weight Suddenly Increase During Puberty?
Answer: Weight gain during puberty is normal as the body stores energy and nutrients for growth. Maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise can help you adapt to these changes.
26. Why Is There Odor During Your Period? How to Handle It?
Answer: Menstrual odor is caused by the mix of blood and bodily fluids. Maintain good personal hygiene, change pads or tampons regularly, and wear breathable underwear to reduce odor.
27. Why Do You Always Get Pimples Before Your Period?
Answer: Hormonal fluctuations before your period can increase oil production, leading to pimples. Keep your skin clean, use products suited to your skin type, and maintain a healthy diet to help reduce breakouts.
28. What Type of Underwear Should You Wear During Your Period?
Answer: Choose breathable cotton underwear that fits well to keep dry and maintain hygiene. Avoid tight or synthetic materials.
29. Should You Reduce Exercise During Your Period?
Answer: Moderate exercise can help alleviate period pain and improve mood. If you feel uncomfortable, opt for light activities like walking or yoga. Avoid excessive strenuous exercise to prevent added stress on your body.
30. Why Are There Blood Clots in Your Period? Is This Normal?
Answer: Blood clots in menstrual blood are usually normal, especially on heavier days, formed by the mix of clotting factors and menstrual blood. They are typically small, under an inch in diameter. If clots are large, numerous, or accompanied by severe pain, consult a doctor to rule out potential health issues. Observing and understanding your body changes helps determine when to seek professional advice.
31.Where can I find small pads for young girls (tweens) just starting their period?
Answer: For young girls just starting their period, it's essential to choose pads that are comfortable, gentle on the skin, and appropriately sized. BFF Personal Care's teen pads are an excellent choice. These organic pads are made with 100% organic cotton topsheet and are free from harmful chemicals. They are ultra-thin, smaller in size, and offer good absorbency with a comfortable fit, making them ideal for young girls, especially those with sensitive skin.
32. How do I choose the right sanitary pads for young girls?
Answer: Young girls are in a developmental stage, and their skin is very delicate. Therefore, using the most natural, chemical-free sanitary pads (such as those without fragrances, anions, cooling effects, etc.) is the best choice. It is crucial to use sanitary pads that are free from added chemicals because these substances can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, and even long-term health issues. For instance, fragrances and chemical additives can disrupt the skin's natural barrier, making it more susceptible to infections. For young girls who are still developing, maintaining the natural balance of their skin is especially important to ensure their health and comfort during this sensitive stage.
Jun 15,2024