Pre-teens and teenagers face lots of new challenges as they age. And the changes that happen to a growing girl’s body can be especially confusing, embarrassing – even scary.
One of the most stressful parts of growing up for a girl may be the start of her menstrual cycle – and it’s no wonder why. For one thing, she can’t really know when it will happen, or where she’ll be when it does. What’s more, many young women may not understand what menstruation is, or what is happening to their body.
But beginning menstruation doesn’t have to be an anxious event. Understanding the changes going on in the body – and knowing that they are normal – can help make the passage to womanhood a little easier.
As girls go through puberty, usually between the ages of 11 and 14, the hormones in their bodies start to stimulate new growth and development.1,2 A key part of this process is the beginning of the menstrual cycle, or monthly “period.” The start of menstruation signals that a girl is physically capable of becoming pregnant.1
The typical menstrual cycle is 28-30 days long.2 At the start of each cycle, the uterus begins to develop a soft lining of blood-rich tissue in preparation for an egg that will be released from the ovaries (this is called ovulation).2
If fertilised, the egg would develop into a baby.2 If fertilisation does not occur, the lining of the uterus begins to naturally shed, and the menstrual period begins.2
Girls will vary in terms of how long each monthly period lasts, and how heavy the blood flow is. The average length of time for a period is 3-5 days – but can last as long as seven2 – during which girls can use feminine pads, liners or tampons for absorption.2
Many women experience additional symptoms during their menstrual cycles. These may include abdominal pain, cramping, back pain, headaches, fatigue, bloating, and moodiness. 1,3 Skin changes are also common during certain times of a girl’s cycle.3
Most mild-to-moderate menstrual cycle pain can be lessened by over-the-counter pain relievers.4,5 Heat therapy may also help with abdominal pain and cramping and back pain.4,5
In addition to physical side effects, some girls experience anxiety about the start of their period each month. Girls may worry that their classmates will be able to tell they’re having their period – but the truth is that no one need know. To help remove some of the mystery and anxiety surrounding when a period will start, girls can keep track of their cycle using a calendar. Once cycles have started, though, it’s not a bad idea to carry pads or tampons at school, just in case.1
The body changes that come with puberty may sound scary at first. But understanding that these changes are a natural, normal part of growing up – and that every other girl will go through the same thing – can help ease anxiety and make the changes easier to cope with.
