Normalising menstruation

One day , a young college going girl came to opd . she was having her period. During conversation she told me that she hates the period and asked “is there any way to get rid of it”. She added that she is taking some medicines to stop period since 2 years but still she got period this time. I asked her whether she has heavy flow or pain in abdomen which is discomforting her, but she refused. She was firm on her opinion to not have periods due to fear and restricted activities during those days. I was shocked to hear this. The menstrual stigma is seen even in this generation. This provoked me to enlighten some facts about menstruation and how we should educate the girls regarding menstruation.

Why menstruation is a stigma?

1)Lack of menstrual health education 
2)It is still  considered as women’s secret concern
3)Inability  to access necessary menstrual products and adequate toilet facilities.

Menstruation is a developmental milestone in womens life. It shouldn’t get in the way of exercising, having fun, and enjoying life. Usually girls get their periods around 10-15yrs of age. Period happens because of changes in the hormone. For initial 2-3 yrs periods are irregular, then it becomes regular. Cycle length of 21-35days is considered as normal. Bleeding may last for 2-7 days. It varies from person to person.

How to prepare your daughter for menstruation?

1) Talk to your daughter about periods  before she gets her first period. Talk in open and confident manner. Treat the period as a developmental milestone.
2) Have a series of conversations, not one big talk, so it doesn’t feel like a huge, scary moment.
3) Don’t assume that your daughter knows everything. Explain her regarding changes occurring during puberty. Explain that girls can live their normal life during menses – they can go to school, play with their sisters and friends, eat and drink everything they normally would, and attend social gatherings.
4) Try talking about your own period experiences, as a teen and as a woman, so she can relate to the subject in a more personal way.
5) Keep the story positive or at least with a positive outcome, so she doesn’t panic about something similar happening to her. 
6) Reassure your daughter that bleeding itself won’t hurt but there may be cramping pain
7) Demonstrate how to use a sanitary products. It will give her an understanding that this is something that is not just happening to her and she’ll be able to take care of herself if her period starts at school or during an extracurricular activity where you aren’t around to help.
8) Teach her to maintain hygiene during her periods.
9) Be neutral and not judgmental when your daughter asks questions.
10) Teach your daughter to track the periods.
11) Make a period kit and ask your daughter to carry it wherever she goes.

It helps to manage her period when she is in school or outside.

Period kit should contain couple of teen-size sanitary pads and a clean pair of innerwear, wipes , a legging in a small zip pouch.