It’s time to end the shame and embarrassment around periods. We need to teach teens that periods are a healthy, monthly “report card” from the body, and suffering through them is NOT normal.
I remember getting my first period at 11. Despite a brief Sex Ed class and some supplies in my school bag, I had no idea what to do. The day it started, I stuffed my underwear with toilet paper and avoided PE, feeling confused and embarrassed. That experience stuck with me, and as a parent now, I’m committed to ensuring my daughter feels confident and informed when her time comes.
Here are some key things to know about teen periods:
1. Early Periods Are Increasing
Girls are starting their periods earlier, sometimes as young as 8. This could be linked to environmental toxins and higher exposure to estrogen. It’s important to prepare your teen for this possibility and have open conversations about body changes. Talk to her about this now-normal trend and let her know where the period products are in your home, so she feels prepared.
2. Irregular Cycles Are Common at First
It’s normal for periods to be irregular during the first year. Fluctuating cycle lengths, missed periods, or changing flow are part of the maturation process of a healthy menstrual cycle. Cycles may be as short as 21 days or as long as 45 days.
3. Period Tracking
Encourage your teen to track their periods using apps like Flo, Clue or Natural Cycles. It can help predict the next period and identify any unusual patterns. Tracking also teaches body literacy, helping teens understand and connect with their bodies.
4. PMS and Mood Swings
Mood changes before a period are normal, but extreme PMS shouldn’t be the expectation for teens and absolutely should not be ignored. Pay attention to significant emotional changes or heightened mood swings.
5. Managing Period Pain Naturally
Dysmenorrhea, or period pain, is caused by pressure in the abdomen as the uterus lining thickens leading into the menstrual bleed. For some, this pain may radiate down into the legs. Relief can be found through heat, magnesium, omega-3s, vitamin D, Epsom salt baths, and herbs like cramp bark. Cramping, caused by uterine contractions triggered by prostaglandins, is common and can be reduced through dietary changes that reduce inflammation.
6. Heavy Menstrual Bleeding (Menorrhagia)
During the early years of menstruation, girls may experience heavy bleeding due to sensitive estrogen receptors and/or anovulatory cycles. Normal menstrual fluid should contain little to no clots, and bleeding more than 80 ml/month is considered heavy. A regular day time pad holds 5mls and an overnight or super pad will hold 10-15 mls.
Major PMS, pain or heavy bleeding that disrupts daily activities are not normal. Here are some signs and symptoms to guide you to when holistic guidance can be extremely helpful.
When to Seek Help:
- Missing school due to period pain
- Large clots in menstrual fluid
- Soaking a pad or tampon in 1-2 hours
- Significant mood swings, low mood, or anxiety in the days/week before the period
- Bleeding lasts more than 7 days
- The time between cycles is more frequent than 21 days or longer than 45 days
- No period by age 15 or within 3 years of developing breast buds
Seeking guidance from a qualified health practitioner like me ensures a personalized approach tailored to your needs. I will walk you through alternative options for conception, talk about how we can manage your pain and discomfort, and teach you how to support your mood, energy and sleep through appropriate nutrition and supplements. Having mum and daughter attend a joint consultation is extremely important and is often a neutral space to have an open discussion. Please book a 15 minute complimentary consultation to learn how we I can assist you and your daughter today: https://the-natural-nutritionist.simplecliniconline.com/diary/steph-pearson