What are periods?
Periods are the normal loss of the inner lining of the womb, the uterus, over several days roughly once every month. The blood, diluted with cells and mucus, comes out of the vagina, which is the middle opening, hole, between her legs.
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I dread starting my periods, why do we have them?
Periods are nothing to be frightened of, they are a normal part of being a woman during your reproductive years. They show you that everything is working normally.
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Will everyone know when I am having my period?
When you have learned how to soak up the period blood without it staining your clothes no-one will know when you are having your period, unless you want to tell them.
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When will I have my first period?
Girls can have their first period as young at as 8 years, or as late as 17 years, of age. Generally, girls are now starting their periods earlier than girls of their mothers' generation, probably because we now eat a richer, higher-energy diet. There is nothing you can do to start your periods early or delay them, your body will start them when it is ready.
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How will I know I am having my first period?
Some girls get a white stain in their pants before they have their first period but the real period is when a small amount of red, or brownish-red, blood is lost. If you are at school when your first period starts ask a friend, teacher or another adult for help. Most school offices have a supply of sanitary towels for just this reason.
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How can I stop period blood getting on my clothes?
For most girls and women the amount of blood that is lost each day is very small, altogether about 4–6 tablespoons over all the days. This blood can be easily absorbed by sanitary towels or tampons. If you start your period and don't have a sanitary towel or tampon you can always use some tissues, or rolled-up soft toilet paper, inside your pants to soak up the blood until you can get a sanitary towel or tampon. If you do get period blood on your clothes treat it like any other bloodstain, just soak it for a few minutes in cold water without soap. This bursts open the tiny blood cells so that they can be washed away later with soap. If you use hot, soapy water on fresh blood, it can make it more difficult to get out.
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Can I take a bath or swim when I am having my period?
Yes. During your period you can and should have a bath or shower and you can also swim. You might see a little blood come out as you wash in the bath or shower but not enough to change the colour of the water. It is a good idea to wash the vaginal area daily to help prevent minor infections developing. It is also a good idea to wash and dry between your legs from front to back, to avoid spreading germs to the vagina, urethra or bladder. If you are using a tampon take it out before you take a bath or shower, so that you can wash the vagina properly and don't have to remove a soggy tampon afterwards. After you have dried yourself, insert a new tampon or attach a new sanitary towel to your pants.
If you want to go swimming during your period it is a good idea to use a new tampon just before you enter the water and then dispose of it afterwards.
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What physical and emotional changes might I experience during my period?
A variation in hormone levels can affect your mood. If you find you are feeling very up and down just before your periods and possibly experience weight gain, breast soreness, abnormal bloating and feelings of anger, you might have pre-menstrual tension, PMT. Your general practitioner, G.P, can discuss with you ways of helping you with this.
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What is period pain?
There is no need to be scared of period pain. If you feel a bit scared talk to your mother and, or, friends to get reassurance. Some girls and women feel no pain at all, others just feel a little uncomfortable or experience pain for only a few minutes or hours at the start of their periods. Some girls and women describe cramp-like pains in their lower abdomens, tummies, when they have periods. You can help to lessen these pains by having a rest, holding a hot-water bottle over the pain or taking simple painkillers. If you have more problems with period pain, or your period pain gets a lot worse, talk to your doctor who will be able to give you advice or something to help.
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Will I gain weight, retain water and crave odd foods?
Your weight might rise and fall depending on the time of the month, your menstrual cycle. Just before your period you might feel more thirsty and your clothes might feel tighter because of water retention. Your weight will return to your normal after your period. At this time you might also have cravings for junk food. But beware if you give in to the cravings your weight might not return to normal! Some people advise eating complex carbohydrates, rice and potatoes, which might also improve your mood and energy levels. Exercise can help too.
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Why do I get spots just before my period?
You might find that the number of spots you changes during your menstrual cycle. These are the same kind of spots you might get, or have got, during puberty because of changes in hormone levels which affect the skin. Be careful to cleanse your skin and avoid picking the spots, which can introduce infection.
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Can I have sex during my period?
Yes but it might be a bit messier. Beware though, you can still get pregnant if you have sex during your period. This is because eggs can be released at odd times and sperm can stay fertile for 5–7 days inside a girl or woman.
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Is there anything I can't do during my period?
No, unless you don't want to. If your periods are causing you problems that are interfering with your life discuss them with your GP.
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My periods are sometimes or always irregular, or late. Should I be worried?
The number of days between the starting day of one period and the starting day of the next one is about 28 days, roughly four weeks, or one month, but different women have different cycle times which can change with their age. When girls first start having periods they can be quite irregular and it might take two years before they settle down into a regular cycle. Some girls or women always have irregular periods.
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My periods are often irregular, how can I tell if I am pregnant?
If your periods are irregular it will be more difficult to know when you might be pregnant. You won't get pregnant unless you are having unprotected sexual intercourse, including when the condom you have used breaks or is used incorrectly. You can get pregnant as soon as your body starts to release eggs, during puberty and when the boy or man is able to produce sperm also during puberty.
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My period is late this month. I am starting to get worried, what should I do?
Periods can be a few days early, or late, when you have been ill, or if you are worried for some reason. If you lose a lot of weight, exercise a lot, or worry a lot they can actually stop completely. If this happens you should talk to a doctor about it because it can be a sign of mental or physical ill health. If you have had sex and your period is more than 2–3 days late you should try to find out as soon as possible if you are pregnant. You can get a free pregnancy test at shac, or drop into Clinic 1A at any time. You can also get a free test at a family planning clinic. You can then discuss your options with your G.P or family planning doctor, or a doctor at shac. If you decide to carry on with the pregnancy, knowing early that you are pregnant helps you to provide the best circumstances for the growing baby. You can decide to stop, or reduce if this is not possible, both smoking and drinking alcohol and take extra vitamins,especially folic acid.
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When is it normal for me to stop having periods?
Periods stop completely during pregnancy and it might be a few months before your periods start again you have had the baby, especially if you are breastfeeding. When a woman gets older, usually around age 50 years but it can be much earlier, she will start her menopause. This is when the women becomes less and less fertile and her periods eventually stop completely. A menopausal woman can still become pregnant during this time, even if she has recently stopped her periods.
A useful website for information on periods and women's health is:
www.kotex.com/na/info/
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