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| Getting your periods |
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| Getting your first menstrual
period is one of the most visible signs that
you are starting puberty. Puberty happens for
girls between the ages of 9 and 16. Everyone
is different when it comes to timing. There
is nothing wrong with you if you get your period
later than your friends get their periods. Read
on to learn what you period actually is and
how to deal with it. |
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| What
is it ? |
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| The blood that
leaves your body during your period is the blood
and tissue that build up as the lining of your
uterus each month. Your period flow can be light,
heavy, or somewhere in between. It may also
be heavy the first day or so of your period,
and then get lighter. Periods usually last between
three and five days, but it is normal to have
periods that are either shorter or longer. It
is also normal if your periods are not the same
number of days each month. |
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| How
does it happen? |
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| Your ovaries release or
let go of one egg about once a month. If the
egg does not become fertilized by male sperm,
the egg and the lining of your uterus (endometrium)
drain out of your vagina as your period. If
the egg does become fertilized by male sperm
(from sexual intercourse), it will attach itself
to the lining of the uterus and grow into a
baby. |
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| When
does it happen? |
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Menstrual cycles take
place over about one month (around 23 to 35
days), but each woman is different in the number
of days this lasts. The cycle includes not just
your period, but the rise and fall of hormones
and other body changes that take place over
the month.
At first, your periods may not be regular; you
may have two in one month, or have a month without
a period at all. Periods will become more regular
in time.
Every woman is different in the number of days
in between periods and how long periods last. |
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| How do I take care of my period? |
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There are two types of
products you can use for your period: sanitary
pads and tampons. You might decide one or the
other is best for you, or you may want to use
a combination of both. No one can see that you
are wearing either a tampon or a pad, although
you may find some pads to feel a little bulky.
You just have to find the right products for
you. Whichever ones you use, it is important
to follow the instructions on the packaging
and wash your hands before and after use.
It is normal to be shy about buying these items
at the store, but getting your period is a normal
part of life. Need help getting started? Ask
your mom, guardian, or an older sister which
sanitary products they use to help you find
your own. It can also help to buy sanitary products
with your mother/guardian or other trusted adult
to make this experience easier. Remember, they
have been doing this for years! |
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| Pads:
What you should know |
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- Pads stick to the inside
of your underwear and soak up the blood that
leaves the vagina
- Some pads are thinner for days when your period
is light, and some are thicker for when you
are bleeding more. You can also use these thicker
pads at night when you sleep.
- During the day, it is best to check your pad
to see if it needs changing every couple of
hours. It will need to be changed before it
is soaked with blood.
- If you are concerned about any smell, changing
pads often and keeping up good hygiene will
help control this. You do not need to use deodorant
pads.
- You can’t wear pads when you swim.
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| Tampons:
What you should know |
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- Tampons are put inside of your vagina to soak
up blood before it leaves your body. Instructions
come with tampon products to show you how to
put them in.
- Some tampons have a plastic or cardboard covering
that makes it easier for you to put the tampon
in.
- All tampons have a string at the end to help
you take it out when it needs to be changed
(at least every 4 to 8 hours).
- You can wear tampons when you swim.
- It is VERY important that you use the tampon
with the lowest level of absorbency for your
needs. On the heavy days, you may need a “super”
tampon and as your flow gets lighter, you may
only need a “regular” tampon. Or,
you may only need a “regular” tampon
on your heavy days, and then can switch to a
“junior” tampon for your lighter
days. You will be able to tell what level of
absorbency you need by how often you need to
change your tampon.
- Using tampons that are too absorbent or not
changing them often enough can put you at risk
of toxic shock syndrome (TSS). You can avoid
TSS by not using tampons at all, changing them
often, or by switching back and forth between
tampons and pads. While the symptoms of TSS
can be caused by many other illnesses, tell
an adult and call a doctor if you are using
tampons and have the following:
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- High fever that comes on all of a sudden
- Muscle
pains
- Dizziness
or fainting
- A
rash that looks like sunburn
- Bloodshot
eyes
- Strange
vaginal discharge (fluid)
- Feeling
of confusion
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Doctors treat TSS with antibiotics, and will
examine your kidneys and liver to make sure
they are working okay. They will also treat
your rash to help you heal. It is important
to get medical help right away if you have any
of the above symptoms.
Problem Periods:
Being uncomfortable or having cramps along with
your period is very common. It is also common
for your periods to be irregular sometimes,
meaning you may not get it at the same time
each month or at all some months. These things
can happen and there may not necessarily be
a problem, even though you might be uncomfortable
or in pain. The tough thing is knowing when
the things you are feeling are normal and when
there is a problem. To make this easier, get
to know yourself:
- How painful are your cramps each month?
If you start to have cramps that are much worse
than usual, talk to your parents/guardian about
seeing a doctor.
- What days of the month do you get your
period? How long do they last?
- What is your stress
level like when you get your period? Are you
a little more stressed around the time of your
period, or do you feel like you can’t
cope at all with school and family issues?
- How heavy is your blood flow? You can
tell how heavy it is by how many times you have
to change your pads or tampons.
Answering these questions can help you figure
out what your periods are usually like. If you
are in pain or are not sure if what is happening
with your period is a problem or not, talk with
your parents/guardian about making an appointment
to see your doctor. And having answers to the
questions above can help you talk to your doctor
about what you are dealing with. |
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| What
is TSS? |
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| Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)
is a very rare but dangerous illness that affects
your whole body. TSS is caused by certain types
of bacteria that make toxins – poisons
– in your body. Tampons can make it easier
for bacteria to get into your body. It is also
possible to get TSS if bacteria get into an
open wound. Make sure you clean all skin wounds
and infections well, with the help of a parent/guardian. |
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| What
can affect my period? |
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1. Stress
If you are under a lot of stress, your periods
might stop for a bit, but they usually begin
again when your stress level goes down.
2. Exercise
Too much exercise can cause your body fat to
be very low, which can cause your periods to
stop. This can happen if you are training hard
for sports such as ballet, gymnastics or long-distance
running. It can also happen if you are exercising
a lot in other ways on your own. It might seem
confusing, since you often hear that exercise
is good for you. It is good for you –
as long as you don’t over-exercise. How
do you know if you are exercising too much?
If you are over-tired or get injured often,
you may be over doing it.
3. Hormones
Hormones are special chemicals that your body
makes. In a normal menstrual cycle, your hormones
go up and down. Sometimes there are problems
with hormones. A hormonal imbalance called PCOS
or polycystic ovary syndrome, keeps your hormone
levels high, getting in the way of your cycle.
If you have PCOS, your periods may not come
every month, they may not come at all, or you
may have bleeding in between periods. A problem
with your pituitary gland can also affect your
menstrual cycle. The pituitary gland makes hormones
that impact other glands in the endocrine system
(the body system that controls growth, sexual
development, and metabolism). |
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| When
to see a doctor |
You should talk to an
adult you trust and/or see a doctor if you experience
any of the following:
- You have not gotten your period by the age of
16
- Your period suddenly stops, and it has been
three to six months and it hasn’t started
again (and you know you aren’t pregnant,
confirmed by a doctor’s pregnancy test
or by not having had sexual intercourse)
- You are bleeding for more days than you usually
bleed for (abnormal bleeding that is different
from your normal menstrual periods
- Your bleeding is very heavy (abnormal bleeding
that is different from your normal menstrual
periods
- You suddenly feel sick after using tampons
- You bleed in between periods (more than just
a few drops)
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