health
Menstruation Matters
Dr Natalie Hutchins offers advice on helping your tween daughter to navigate the start of her period
Puberty can be a tumultuous time for any tween navigating fluctuating hormones , changing bodies and unpredictable social dynamics , so it is no wonder periods can be an unwelcome addition for many girls and their parents . It is , of course , an inevitable part of growing up and when approached calmly and practically , it is a transition that many girls will make with ease .
1 . Reassure Bleeding is usually associated with danger and harm , so it is understandable that girls may be fearful and hesitant about the idea of a monthly bleed . Rather than the haemorrhaging they may be imagining , the average amount of blood lost during a period is similar to one to two egg cups in total ( although it can look much more when seen on a pad or in the toilet ). This level of bleeding is entirely harmless as long as she is eating a well-balanced diet and it is helpful to reassure her of that ( vegetarians may need additional iron and b12 support ).
Many girls will have heard negative stories surrounding periods , particularly if their mum or older sisters have had bad experiences , and so they may start off with a negative perception of how life will be impacted . It is important for her