How Soon Should Girls Be Taught About Menstrual Health?

Moms, do you remember how you felt when you got your first period?

If you have a daughter, you understand that having your menstruation for the first time can be scary. Add to this feeling the myths, misconceptions, and stigmas that surround menstruation here in the Philippines, and you get a girl who may feel confused and ashamed, too.

This is why menstruation is a topic that must be discussed among parents and their daughters. The question is, how early can you start having this discussion? Health professionals Dr. Anna Theresa Casantusan, Municipal Health Officer, and Dr. Mona Lademora, Pediatrician, shared pieces of information that can guide parents on their talk with their daughters about menstrual health.

Once a mom observes her daughter’s physical changes, she should soon discuss menstruation with her daughter. Girls can get curious all the time, and addressing changes—be it superficial or biological—can cultivate trust between the two. Prior to puberty, it is totally okay to train your blossoming teen as to what best practices there are in terms of personal care.

Dr. Anna confirms this: “Girls should be educated regarding menstruation as early as 8 years old, which is the age before puberty. This is to help them understand menstruation and what they will be expecting once their menstruation starts.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Mona suggests having a heart-to-heart talk for moms and teenagers. According to her, “Most girls will have their first period at the age of 12 and some as early as 9, but moms can talk about it as soon as they can see body changes in their children or when they get curious and ask about it.”

The United Nations Population Fund defines menstruation as “the process in which the uterus sheds blood and tissue through the vagina. This is a natural and healthy process for girls and women of reproductive age. It typically lasts 2 to 5 days, but this varies by individual.” It further discusses that the “menstrual cycle is roughly 28 days long, but it can be shorter or longer.”

Apart from learning about the menstrual cycle, it is mandatory to catch girls up on the gaps and time intervals of their periods. According to Dr. Mona, the frequency and intensity of flows should be strictly monitored.

“Irregular menstrual cycle is when the flow is heavier or lighter than usual, when a woman missed three straight cycles or more, or when the duration is less than two days or more than eight days. It differs from person to person, and changes can occur within the first two years of menstruation,” she explains.

Period blood colors can vary from cycle to cycle, and it is valuable between periods to check what the current color is as they can indicate a condition or illness.

“Changes in color of menstruation may occur during your period or every month. It can vary from pink, bright, or dark red to brown. Orange or gray blood may signify infection,” Dr. Mona said. “If there would be any spotting between periods, prolonged or shortened duration of each cycle, or heavier or lighter flow than usual, consult your OB-GYN.”

Moreover, Dr. Mona reminded that teenagers should expect side effects in times of menstruation. Majority of these include tenderness of the breast, bloating, dysmenorrhea, headaches, and dizziness. Hormonal changes and higher levels of prostaglandin lipids trigger discomfort, too, as they cause the uterus to contract. This is why pain is at its peak on Day 1, where prostaglandins are at its highest production.

During menstruation, determining the heaviness or lightness of a flow is high on the list as it curbs future complications. Dr. Mona attests to this. “The first two days are usually the heaviest and can use up to three to five pads daily. More than six pads is already defined as heavy flow. Spotting can occur on Day 3 to 5 of the cycle.”

According to the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), poor hygiene poses health risks like reproductive infections, so it is important for girls to get menstrual materials that are trusted in the market. Moreover, they should take healthy habits seriously, and choose from a selection of period products such as sanitary pads, absorbent panties, and many more.

To prevent health problems, Dr. Mona prescribed to have the sanitary pads changed when the situation calls for it. “Sanitary napkins can be changed as often as the girl wants but for hygiene purposes, it is better to change at least two to three times daily or when the pad is two-thirds soaked,” she said.

According to Save the Children organization in the Philippines, about 1 in 5 Filipino females aged 18 to 24 already had premarital intercourse prior to turning 18. “Many young Filipino girls and boys remain unaware of the consequences of unprotected sex,” it stated.

Taking this into account, it is important to teach girls not only the cycles of menstruation and ovulation, but also reinforce the possibility of pregnancy, weight of consent, and family’s stand on marriage and family planning.

“Parents, especially mothers, play a big role,” Dr. Anna contends. “They must assure their daughters that having a monthly period is normal and part of their womanhood. Girls may feel awkward talking about this in school so it is better to be discussed first by the family at home.”

According to UNICEF, also, safeguarding a woman’s health without shaming her is at the core of preventing discrimination. Parents should learn how to smoothen the path to puberty, encouraging a safe environment and a space for unfiltered sharing.

Dr. Mona believes that the presence of mothers in particular is mandatory in times like this. “They can start by asking their daughters what they know about the menstrual period. They can speak from their own experience and basic biology. Discussing it will make their children feel more comfortable with the new changes in their body.”

UNICEF advocates menstruation awareness and remains resolute when it comes to issues centered on hygiene and menstrual health. According to the organization, attending to their children and their questions will help quell any misinformation about menstruation. The institution also stands that “a lack of information about menstruation leads to damaging misconceptions and discrimination, and can cause girls to miss out on normal childhood experiences and activities. Stigma, taboos, and myths prevent adolescent girls—and boys—from the opportunity to learn about menstruation and develop healthy habits.”

Dr. Anna and Dr. Mona recommend that teenagers report to their families whatever it is that troubles them during period days. Opening up more often can reduce their anxiety, so it is advisable for parents to be present in this process, too. If girls can get sufficient support from their family, they can also be aware, confident, and more mindful of health and proper hygiene.

When it comes to medical conditions, explanations should be backed by science, and our doctors propose to consult a physician before coming up with a decision or solution. Seeking an expert opinion is the most objective way through which a girl or teen can deal with her period dilemmas.