Being prepared is the key to helping your daughter handle her first period
Your daughter’s first period can be an exciting time for her, but it can also be a little scary. Everyone’s period is different, so being properly equipped is key to make her – and you – feel less nervous about the changes her body is going through.Here are some tips to help empower and guide your loved one through surviving that first period experience:
Talk about the event long before the day
Although schools will cover at least basic health education, there is a chance your daughter may get her first period before it is ever discussed in health class. Ensure that you – or your doctor – let her know about the changes that will happen with her body. If you have trouble broaching the subject, consider asking your family doctor for tips.
Confront concerns
It’s not easy for your teen when her body starts changing, but have her keep in mind that she is not alone. Wondering what her first period will feel like, how long it will last and how she can take care of herself each month, are all normal questions to have.
To help first-timers navigate through the period experience, Diva International Inc. (Diva), the makers of DivaCup, have answered some of the most common questions about menstrual health and sustainable period care products. Here are some tips from them:
Have supplies at the ready
What should you have on hand? Consider what other female members of the household are using and go from there. Options include disposable and reusable (washable) pads, tampons, washable period underwear (which does not require pads or tampons) and menstrual cups.
Why consider a menstrual cup?
Everyone fears getting their period at school, especially when they are unprepared or if there is a threat of leaks. DivaCup has introduced the all-new Model 0 to its robust menstrual cup options, which are currently available in sizes Models 1 (for younger women) and 2 (for women who have delivered a child).
Specifically designed for those 18 and younger, Model 0 is a convenient, leak-free, eco-friendly alternative to pads and tampons, wearable for up to 12 hours, it can get your daughter through the entire school day, pep rallies, gym class and even soccer practice.
Like other DivaCup menstrual cups, Model 0 is a reusable bell-shaped menstrual cup that is made of 100 percent medical-grade silicone without latex, dyes, rubber, plastic and BPA.
Remember, menstrual empowerment starts with knowledge. By taking the time to teach your teen about her body and her menstrual cycle, she will be better equipped to care for herself.
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- By Ottawa Parenting Times Staff, with files from Diva International, Inc.