Your First Period: What to Expect and How to Handle It
Your First Period: What to Expect and How to Handle It
08 March 2023 | Content is reproduced from the original full article from Healthline Media
(Image credit: Karolina Grabowska/Pexels)
There’s always a first time to everything – including periods. For first-timers, navigating periods can be sticky – how to handle the menses, what to do when you have cramps, and the list just goes on. But don’t worry! In this article, we’ll go over what you need to know about menstruation.
What causes menstruation?
Menstruation is a result of puberty; this is when your body becomes capable of reproduction.
When your menstrual cycle begins, your estrogen levels increase, causing the lining of your uterus to thicken. The uterine lining thickens so it can support a fertilised egg and develop into a pregnancy.
If there isn’t a fertilised egg, your body will break the lining down and push it out of your uterus, resulting in bleeding – your menstrual period.
(Image credit: Teen Health Source)
When will you get your first period and what signs should you look for?
Your first period may only last a couple of days. It may take a couple of months for your period to settle into a regular schedule and consistency.
It may even take up to 6 years after your first period for menstruation to occur at a regular interval. This is because your body has to learn how to release and regulate your reproductive hormones.
The average menstrual cycle is about 28 days and your period may last anywhere from 2 to 7 days each month.
What can you use to manage menstrual blood?
There are several options you can use to handle the bleeding:
Pads and panty liners
(Image credit: Karolina Grabowska/Pexels)
Sanitary pads are rectangular pieces of absorbent material that you stick inside your underwear. They come in different sizes which are made to accommodate different levels of bleeding.
Pads typically need to be changed every 4 to 8 hours. You may also find it helpful to wear a heavier pad overnight so you don’t have to worry about leakage.
Panty liners are smaller, thinner versions of a sanitary pad. You may find it helpful to use them a couple of days before your period is supposed to start to prevent accidentally bleeding on your underwear. You may also want to use panty liners toward the end of your period, as the bleeding may be spotty and unpredictable.
Get organic cotton pads, for a regular or heavy flow on Doctor2U’s eShop
Tampons
(Image credit: Anna Shvets/Pexels)
Tampons are absorbent, tubelike menstrual products. They’re inserted into the vagina so they can absorb menstrual fluid before it reaches your underwear.
As with pads, tampons come in different sizes and overall absorbencies. Although some manufacturers sell scented tampons, avoid these; fragrance can cause irritation inside the vagina.
Tampons must be changed every 8 hours at most. Leaving a tampon in for more than 8 hours can increase your risk for irritation or infection as a result of the bacteria present.
Period Underwear
Period underwear is like regular underwear, except it’s created with a special fabric that absorbs menstrual tissue and traps it within the fabric. Different types have different levels of absorbency.
If you have a lighter period, you may be able to rely on only these. But if you have a heavier flow, you may use period underwear as a backup to prevent accidental leakage.
You can usually use one or two pairs throughout your entire period. Just make sure you wash them according to the manufacturer’s directions after each wear.
Period leaks happen! What should you do?
Try this method to get blood stains off:
1. Soak the stained fabric in cold water as soon as possible.
2. If you have a stain remover, spray it on. Make sure the affected area is completely soaked and allow it to sit for as long as the product’s label recommends.
3. If you don’t have a stain remover — or you want to double up on your technique — rub bar soap or dab liquid soap into the affected area.
4. Rinse and repeat the soap scrub until the stain lifts.
If the stain is still visible, you can wash the clothing in the washing machine using cold water.
5. Finally, allow the clothing to air-dry.
What can you do about cramps?
Although cramps serve a purpose — to help your body release the uterine lining — they can be uncomfortable.
You may be able to find relief by:
1. Taking over-the-counter medicines, like ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen sodium (Aleve), according to label specifications
2. Applying a cloth-covered heating pad, heating wrap, or other heat pack to your stomach or lower back
3. Taking a warm shower
If your cramps are so severe that you feel nauseous, are unable to get out of bed or participate in everyday activities, please see a doctor to discuss your symptoms. In some cases, severe cramping may be a symptom of another underlying condition, such as endometriosis.
How do you keep track on your next period?
As a general rule, your next period will probably start 3 to 4 weeks after the last one ended.
Although it may take a couple of years for your period to settle into a predictable rhythm, you may still find it helpful to track your symptoms. This will allow you to look for patterns and be somewhat prepared when your period does come.
Track your period with Period Tracker feature on the Doctor2U App
Skip the hassle of jotting down your period dates!
With Period Tracker feature on Doctor2U app, you can seamlessly record your period, get fertility/ovulation predictions, and teleconsult our doctors whenever you need.
The best part? You will get free membership points every time you track your period! This feature is absolutely free so enjoy it and share it with your girlfriends and family too.
Reference
Nall, R. (2019, April 15). 17 faqs about menstruation. Healthline. Retrieved March 8, 2023, from https://www.healthline.com/health/first-period#overview