theChat.scot

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Talking about menstruation (periods)

The suggestions about how to talk about menstruation that are offered here are written to support chats with your daughter. Of course, boys can ask and talk about periods too. You can adapt what is here to give boys information too.

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Talking about periods

This text can help support your chats.

Puberty is the time in your life when your body begins to change because you are growing up. When a girl goes through puberty she will start to have a menstrual cycle. Having a period is one part of your menstrual cycle. Periods are also called menstruation. This is the way a girl’s body makes itself ready so that when she is grown up, she can have a baby if she wants to. 

When will I get my first period? How do you know when your period will start?

Girls get their first period between the age of 9 and 15. We can talk together about periods before it happens, and of course when it does happen.

Before it happens there will be other changes with puberty. You will notice that you start to develop your breasts. Some soft body hair will start to grow around your vulva and under your arms. You might get a little white sticky stuff called discharge (sometimes people say mucus) come out of your vagina, you might see little white marks on your pants. All of this is normal. You can talk to me or… (insert other trusted adults you wound like your child to know they can talk to…) about any changes you notice.

Then when your period comes, blood that comes out of our vulva for a few days every month. This is normal.

When a girl has her period, she wears a period pad or tampon, period pants or menstrual cup to absorb the fluid. You can talk to me (other adults/older siblings) about what you would like to use. If you use a period pad or tampon you change that a few times a day. You put your used pad or tampon in a bin, not down the loo.

When a girl has a menstrual cycle, this can affect her emotions and moods. This is normal. She might feel tired or annoyed or sad at different times. You can talk to me about your feelings.

A girl can have some pain when she has her period. This is normal. But if you are having pain that makes it difficult to do the day-to-day things you do, like go to school, we can talk about that and get some support for you from the GP or a young person’s clinic.

It’s important to talk to me if you have any pain, so that I can help with that. It is important to know that a girl can still do anything she wants when having her period. Girls start having their period at different ages. Every girl is different and unique.

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Films and resources

To support your chats these films and resources might be helpful.

Sponsored by Lil-lets a short films with description of periods as part of the reproductive system, with girls talking about having their period.

Animation and FAQs here.

The social enterprise Hey Girls has information about all the myths that girls can hear about periods.

Childline provide information on periods here.

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In Scotland, all girls and women can get pads or tampons at school or college or in places like leisure centres for free. This is because it is unfair that girls and women have to pay for something that is essential for them when they have their periods.

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One important aspect for teenagers would be to reassure your daughter that if she has not started her periods by age 15 that is okay. If periods have not stared by age 16 it is advisable to support her to visit her GP or local young people’s sexual health service, just to have a chat about why this might be so.

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Book Title

These books might be of interest. Maybe you could both read them and chat. Your library might have them, or you can ask them if they will order a book for you.

The book provides valuable tips and insights for taking control of your health and well-being throughout the month. Empowering and full of practical advice.

Funny and informative book full of practical tips and advice from what a period actually is, to who and who doesn’t have them.

A book that answers questions about periods and related issues.