R. : The best time to start discussing this topic with your daughter is between age 10 and 11, although some girls have their first period earlier.  This is especially important when her body begins to go through changes, even if she has not had her first period yet.  She should understand what is going on.

R. : You can start by gathering information from your doctor.  Usually, they have a lot of printed material on this topic which you can share with your daughter.  Also, INCOGNITO® offers a first period starting kit. In this kit, you will get samples of products that are most appropriate for young women along with an information booklet about periods and puberty. You can receive the first period starting kit by contacting our consumer service.  Even though this topic is familiar to you, it never hurts to have a few visual aids handy, especially if she has specific questions.  Even once your daughter understands the process itself, it can still be very difficult for her to understand the feelings and emotions that come along with menstruation.

R. : This is definitely something that you do not want to leave to the school or friends to teach.  Some mothers have found it useful to have the first day of menstruation as a special day with their daughters.  It can be used as a time for one on one conversation, and to discuss feelings that she may be having.  Don't be surprised if your daughter is a little reluctant to talk at first.  Your daughter has probably already heard various rumors on this topic around the school yard, so you will probably have to correct a few wrongs.  Also, it is natural for you as the parent to be a little nervous and apprehensive as well.  Just pick a quiet time and location to sit down and discuss this topic with your daughter.  But, do not expect to explain everything to her overnight - it will take time and a lot of repetition.  Just remember to be patient.  When your daughter is older, she will definitely thank you for taking the time to explain things to her.

R. : About once a month, an egg leaves the ovaries and travels down the fallopian tubes towards the uterus.  At the same time, the lining of the uterus becomes thicker with extra blood and tissue to make a cushion for a potentially fertilized egg.  If an egg is fertilized with sperm, the fertilized egg will attach itself to the uterus where it will slowly develop into a baby.  If the egg is not fertilized, the lining of the uterus begins to break down so it can be shed along with the egg that was not fertilized.  Period – or the time of bleeding – happens when the body gets rid of the extra blood and tissue that’s no longer needed.  Then, the cycle starts all over again.

R. : A girl’s cycle is the length of time it takes her body to go through the process of releasing an egg, preparing the uterus to cushion a fertilized egg, and then bleeding (having the periods).  The first day of the period is called Day 1 of the cycle.  The cycle is counted from the first day of bleeding in one month to the day preceding the first day of bleeding the next month.  Keeping a calendar will help your daughter know when she should expect her next period.

R. : Every girl is different and this is perfectly normal.  Some girls start to menstruate as early as 9 years old, while others don’t start until they are 16, or even older.  However, if she hasn’t had her period by the time she is 16 it would be a good idea for her to talk with her doctor.

R. : For the first couple of years of menstruation, the cycle is often all over the place and is not regular.  This is normal!  It takes time for the body to adjust.  As she will get older, her period will normally become more regular which will help her know when her period will come.  When it becomes regular, a normal cycle lasts about 28 days, but it can be as short as 21 days or as long as 35 days.  

Keeping track of when she gets her period can be useful.  She can just mark it on a calendar, and keep notes of any symptoms she might have just in case she wants to talk to a healthcare professional about her cycle.

R. : There are a lot of choices, but most women use pads or tampons.  She could also choose to vary the protection she uses according to the activities she has, her blood flow and depending on how at ease she is with her body.  

Whatever the chosen option, remember your daughter must change her product regularly.  Leaving any product in place for a long time allows bacteria to grow which may cause odors and even infection.  

As there are many brands and products available, you might find it difficult to give advice to your daughter.  You can refer to the document below “Choosing the right protection” to find out more about the characteristics to consider to help your daughter find the most appropriate product for her.

R. : A pad is worn inside the underwear and stays in place with its adhesive strip.  It absorbs the blood that flows out of the vagina and protects clothes and comes in many different sizes and thicknesses.  There are so many different varieties that your daughter might want to try a few before finding the one that suits her needs best.  A good sanitary pad should be comfortable, irritation-free and help feeling fully protected against leakage.  Pads are the most popular protection, even more so for overnight use.  

A tampon is placed inside the vagina where it will expand and absorb the menstrual blood.  Some come with an applicator to facilitate the insertion of the tampon.  Tampons have different absorption levels (from “slender” to “super plus”), so your daughter can pick the one that matches her flow.  A lighter, slender size is a better choice for young women.  Girls sometimes have apprehensions on the first try, but with practice, tampons quickly become easy to use and are often found to be most practical, especially if they have active lifestyles or for swimming.

R. : With tampons, there is a small risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS).  This is a serious and life-threatening syndrome.  Your daughter can reduce her chances of getting TSS by changing her tampon regularly.  Toxic Shock Syndrome is caused by a toxin that builds up in her system.

Signs of TSS include:

• sudden high fever
• nausea and vomiting
• diarrhea
• headache
• generalized aches and pains
• dizziness and feeling faint (especially when rising from a lying or sitting position)
• disorientation (confusion)
• a rash like a sunburn on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet
• extremely low blood pressure, rapid weak pulse (shock)

These cases are very rare, but if your daughter has any of these symptoms, see a doctor immediately.