When a teenage girl starts menstruating it is a big change for her. It is an important step where they feel that they go from girls to gradually becoming women. Also, menstruation or rule, requires adolescent girls to learn to use pads and tampons for their comfort. Some may even opt for the menstrual cup, although all tend to always start with the use of compresses. Tampons or menstrual cup can be used later.
It is important for girls to understand the changes they can expect from puberty, including how to handle menstruation, before they start having it. Educating girls about pads and tampons before they need them helps them adjust more comfortably to the changes of puberty and maintain confidence during what can be a difficult growth phase for them.
Common questions you may have
Pre-adolescent and adolescent girls may have some questions regarding the pads they should start using as soon as they have their first period. Below we are going to explain some of the answers to these questions to make it easier for you to talk about these topics with your daughter.
What is a compress?
Your daughter is probably already familiar with pads because you use them, because some friends already use them, because of television commercials or because at school they have talked about them in a health or sex education talk.
In case she's unfamiliar, you have to make sure to explain that pads are designed to help girls and women manage their periods and stay clean and dry while they are menstruating.
How is it used?
Most girls start using only pads because they are comfortable and easier to use than tampons or menstrual cups. Teach your child how to unwrap, put on, and remove the pads in their panties.
This is also a good time to educate your daughter on the proper disposal of feminine hygiene products. When a pad is ready to be replaced, it should be removed from underwear, wrapped in toilet paper, tissue or the next pad to be used, and thrown away. Feminine hygiene products should never be flushed down the toilet.
Why are there so many options?
Explain to your child that pads come in many sizes and thicknesses. Super absorbent, regular pads are for days when your period is heaviest. Ultra-thin panty liners and pads are designed for days when your period is light or when it is believed that your period could start.
Many girls are concerned that people will notice they are wearing a compress. Explain to your daughter that pads are designed so that they are not visible through clothing. No one needs to know that a girl is wearing a pad or is on her menstrual period unless you decide to tell them ... like a doctor.
Some pads are designed with wrap-around wings or liners to help prevent leakage and staining of clothing. For an inexperienced girl, some of these products can be difficult to use. Your daughter may want to consider using pads that have a peel back at the bottom until she is used to controlling her period.
When is it changed?
Adolescent girls may already be familiar with the risks of toxic shock from tampon use for too long, but they may not know how long a compress is supposed to 'last'. Extra absorbent pads are designed to last 4-6 hours, but if your daughter's menstrual flow is very heavy, it may need to be replaced sooner. The same goes for pads that are thinner and less absorbent.
Your daughter should be able to tell when a pad should be replaced just by looking at it when she goes to the bathroom to urinate, for example, but if not, she should check it every 2-3 hours. Pads that are saturated can leak if not replaced immediately, and blood may stain clothing.
What to do with the compresses used?
Learning how to dispose of pads is just as important as learning how to use them properly. Used compresses should be folded in half or rolled up. Teach your daughter how to wrap a pad in toilet paper, a tissue, or the replacement pad wrap.
Teach your daughter that neither pads nor tampons should be flushed down the toilet, they should be placed in a trash that exists in the bathroom. Once the compress is thrown away, you should wash your hands to have good hygiene.
Where are they found?
Your teenage daughter needs to know where to find pads in case she has her period but you are not around to provide pads. You might consider placing a pack in her bedroom, where she keeps her underwear, or under the sink in the bathroom.
It is also important that she understands that it is imperative for her to keep at least 3 or 4 pads in her school bag in case she is away from home and unexpectedly or suddenly drops her period. In addition, you have to tell him that the pads can also be found if he asks a teacher at the school or institute or if he goes to the secretary's office inside the school medicine cabinet.
You will also need to know that pads can be purchased at smaller neighborhood pharmacies, supermarkets, or grocery stores. Anyone can buy pads and tampons without getting the go-ahead from a doctor.
The reason for the period should be explained to girls before menstruation has arrived, but if your daughter does not know, it is essential to talk about ovulation, sex and the possibility of pregnancy.