The first period is an important event in a girl’s life and part of the normal process of becoming an adult. While some girls can’t wait for their first period to come, others may dread it, not knowing what to expect and feeling shy or embarrassed to ask questions.

As I have promised in my previous post, I will continue answering girls’ questions about the first period.

• Can I Play Sports or Be Involved in Other Activities During My Period?
  

Of course you can! Your period should not affect your daily activities. You can continue to exercise, swim, bike ride, and have fun. Some girls and women even find that exercising while they are having their menstrual period reduces or prevents stomach cramps and discomfort. During these activities, it is important to use high quality sanitary pads, like Love Moon Anion Sanitary Napkins, so as to prevent spotting and discomfort. You can also use tampons, which come handy especially when you are involved in activities like swimming.

• How do I know which feminine care products are best for me?

There are many products on the market and there is a variety of products to choose from, according to your needs. It is best to talk openly to your mother, school nurse or another adult you trust and who can help you make a good choice. To learn more detailed information about how to choose a sanitary napkins, here is a great page I recommend: FreeSanitaryNapkins.com

• How do I know if I need to see a doctor about my period?

You should consult your doctor:

• if you are bleeding for more than 7 days
• if you are bleeding excessively
• if you suddenly feel sick after using tampons
• if you have unbearable pain during your period
• if you bleed between periods (more than just a few drops)
• if your period has suddenly stopped
• if you have not started menstruating by the age of 16.

If you have any specific questions that have not been answered in this post, please feel free to write them in the comments section.

The first period (also referred to as menstruation) is an important event in a girl’s life and part of the normal process of becoming an adult. While some girls can’t wait for their first period to come, others may dread it, not knowing what to expect and feeling shy or embarrassed to ask questions.

We have put together some frequently asked questions and their answers, so as to help all girls understand this event better and be prepared and feel comfortable about it.

• When will I have my first period?

No one can tell you exactly when. Each person has their own biorhythm. Most girls start their periods between the ages of 9 and 16. There really isn’t any way you can tell the exact day you’ll get your first period, but there are some signs that can tell you are getting close.

• What are the signs before the first period?

About 1 year after their breasts have started to grow, most girls will go through a stage of rapid growth. Most girls get their first period in about 2 years after their breasts have started growing and very soon after hair starts growing underarms and in the pubic area. Vaginal discharge is also a clue that you are about to have your first period.

• What are menstrual cramps?

Menstrual cramps are caused by the normal contractions of the uterus and can be often experienced, especially by young women. To read some tips on how to relieve menstrual cramps, read this post: Tips on How to Relieve Menstrual Cramps.

• How often will I have my period?

You may have heard some women talking about their monthly cycle. This cycle begins on the first day of one period and ends on first day of the next period. While women’s periods do tend to come about once per month, there is a wide range in the length of menstrual cycle from woman to woman. Some women’s periods come as often as every 21 days, some as far apart as every 40 days. The most common range is 25-30 days. Especially during the first years, the length of your cycle may vary from month to month, but it tends to become regular in time. Some women have regular cycles and their periods start exactly the same number of days apart each time. It is a good idea to have a calender where you mark the first day of your period every time. This way, you will be able to observe your cycle, to notice if there is a pattern forming and you will be able to estimate better when to expect your next period.

There are still many questions to be answered about your first period and I will continue writing about that in my next post. Till then, if you have any questions, please feel free to write them in the comments section.

Ruth Taylor

Having someone examine your genitals is definitely not a pleasant idea, especially if you have never gone through this before. It is not hard to understand why most girls are scared of their first visit to a gynecologist. It is absolutely legitimate to ask questions like: “Do I really need to get an appointment?”, “Why?”, “What happens at a visit?” I will briefly try to answer these questions here.

Why do I need to see a gynecologist?

All women should tend to their reproductive health as part of their normal preventive healthcare, just like everyone should go to the dentist once a year and their general doctor for a yearly checkup. Think of this visit as a routine medical exam. This will help you feel better about it. If it makes you more comfortable, you can have your mom, sister, or a friend stay in the room with you during the exam.

A Pap test and pelvic exam are important parts of a woman’s routine health care because they can detect abnormalities that may lead to cervix cancer. These abnormalities can be treated before cancer develops.

Besides finding problems early so they can be treated or kept from getting worse, your doctor will also help you understand your body and how it works, how to take good care of it and protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections.

When do I need to see a gynecologist?

You should get an appointment if you:

• have ever had sex.
• are 21 or older.
• have abdominal pain, irregular or painful menstrual periods, or vaginal discharge.

What happens at a visit?

Part of your first visit will be just talk, so you can get to know each other. Your doctor may ask a lot of questions about you and your family. You can also ask the doctor any questions you have. It is a good idea to put down some questions before your visit, so that you don’t forget them because of being nervous. You can talk to your doctor about cramps and problem periods, acne, weight issues, sexually transmitted infections and any other concerns you have. Don’t feel embarrassed to ask. Take advantage of this time to get good answers to your questions.

Your doctor will check your height, weight and blood pressure. He or she may also do the following exams:

• Breast exam –your doctor will check your breasts to make sure you don’t have strange lumps or pain.
• Pelvic exam –The doctor will examine your pelvic area to make sure your reproductive organs are healthy.
• Pap test –This test is done to make sure the cells in your cervix are normal. If you are sexually active, it is especially important to have a Pap test. The Pap test helps the doctor know if more tests are needed to see if you are infected with the HP virus. Left untreated, this virus can lead to cervical cancer.

So, a visit to the gynecologist is a necessary part of keeping yourself healthy as a woman, and your gynecologist can turn out to be a great source of honest, accurate sexual information for you for years to come.