Teaching your children about life is one of the most rewarding aspects of parenthood, but that doesn’t mean you’ll always know what to say. The following guide from a gynecologist offers suggestions for how to talk to your teenage daughter about menstruation, including suggested responses to some commonly asked questions.

How to Answer Your Daughter’s Questions About Their Period

What is menstruation?

About once every 28 days, most women get a period, which means the lining of their uterus sheds through their vagina. It can first appear as a red spot of blood in their underwear lining or when they go to the bathroom, and it typically lasts between three and seven days.

Throughout that time, their period could be light spotting or heavy, so explain to your daughter how to use a tampon, pad, menstrual cup, or period-proof underwear and replace sanitary products as needed. Tampons and menstrual cups should only stay inserted for four to six hours; if they’re left in longer than 8 hours, they could cause toxic shock syndrome, which is potentially fatal.

Discuss with your child the benefits and risks of using different sanitary products and help them select the best method for their comfort and safety.

Why do women have periods?

The ovaries produce estrogen and progesterone, two hormones that control menstruation and the expression of sexual characteristics like breast development and hip size. All these changes first occur during puberty, which is when people reach sexual maturity, as defined from a biological standpoint.

Remind your child that even though someone might be physically capable of reproduction at puberty, it doesn’t mean they’re psychologically and emotionally prepared for adulthood or having sex. Everyone matures at their own pace, and getting your first period is just one step in the long journey of growing up. It might be uncomfortable at first, but ensure your teen understands this point when you talk to them about menstruation. A gynecologist is also an excellent resource for your daughter to ask about their reproductive health.

What is a typical cycle like?

Menstruation cycles vary from person to person—some people have a heavy flow, while others just need a thinly lined pad. It’s common for young women to have an irregular period, which means they might go longer than four weeks between cycles, and their symptoms could change over time.

For your child to learn what a typical period is like for them, help them track their symptoms using a journal. Mark down when they start their period, their symptoms, and how long their period lasts. As girls get older, their period will probably become more consistent and familiar to them.

What symptoms can you get while on your period?

Most women have only mild cramping for a day or two when they get their period. They might also notice subtle mood changes, like feeling a bit sadder or more sensitive. Your daughter’s period can also cause her to experience bloating, breast tenderness, or acne flareups.

A heating pad and over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or naproxen should ease their cramps. If they still experience painful periods, take your daughter to an appointment with their gynecologist.

Girls experience menstruation differently from each other. For some people, it’s a rite of passage and cause for celebration. For others, it’s merely a fact of growing up. No matter how your daughter feels about it, you’re there to help her make sense of these changes and stay as healthy as possible. Advanced OB-GYN Services in St. Peters and Bridgeton, MO, can give you and your daughter the information you need to make informed decisions about reproductive care. To learn more about the practice, visit their website, or call (636) 928-1800 to schedule an appointment with a gynecologist today.