X
theAsianparent Logo
theAsianparent Logo
Product GuideSign in
  • Awards
    • Parents' Choice Awards 2023
  • Pregnancy
    • Due date calculator
    • I'm pregnant
    • Trying To Conceive
    • Labour
    • After birth
    • Baby loss
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Child
    • Newborn
    • Baby
    • Toddler
    • Pre-Schooler
    • Kid
    • Pre-Teen & Teen
  • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diseases-Injuries
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Meal Planner
    • Health
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Pre-School
    • Primary School
    • Secondary School
    • Primary School Directory
  • Lifestyle
    • Money
    • Travel & Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Fitness
    • Contests & promotions
  • News
    • International
    • Health
    • Celebrity
    • Singapore
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Press Releases
  • Project Sidekicks
  • Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Become A Contributor
  • VIP

Your daughter’s first period

3 min read

Your daughters first period

The onset of the first period is awkward for a girl. One day she is a child and the next, she is experiencing the start of menstruation and other premenstrual symptoms. However, a girl's first period is a milestone because it is a transition from girlhood to womanhood.

Related: Selfless mum donates womb to daughter

First period signs
The age at which menstruation begins can vary with some girls. Some get their first period as early as ten years old and others not until they are fifteen. There are signs that girls are nearing their first period. Breast development and pubic hair growth begin a few years before menstruation. And about one year before their first period, many girls experience a marked growth spurt.

Open communication
Instead of having a formal menstruation "talk" try asking your daughter about her worries and fears. It is important to put her at ease during this time in her life. Here are some suggested answers for your daughter's questions about menstruation:

1. Why do girls have periods?

Tell her that a menstrual cycle is part of the natural cycle that allows a woman to get pregnant. When a pregnancy doesn't occur her body sheds the uterine lining, which is what happens during a period.

2. What is PMS?

Explain that just before a period starts, some girls and women experience PMS symptoms, which may include mood swings and irritability, bloating, and tender breasts.

3. Will I get cramps?

Girls experience pain and tightness in their lower abdomen and back around the start of their period. These cramps are usually mild and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers, but you should talk to your daughter's doctor if her cramps are severe.

4. Should I use tampons or pads?

Pads are worn inside the underwear, and are often easiest for young girls to use. With tampons, you will need to explain to your daughter how to insert them correctly so they are not uncomfortable.

5. How much will I bleed?

Tell your daughter that only a few teaspoonfuls of blood are lost even though it may seem like more. But if she is going through a pad or tampon every hour you should have a talk with your family doctor.

6. How long will my period last?

Your daughter should expect her period to last for three to five days. Some girls have shorter periods, and others have periods that last up to a week.

7. Can I get pregnant?

Having a menstrual cycle means that a girl's body is ovulating and preparing for a baby. Some girls even ovulate just prior to having their first period. So talk with your daughter about sex and pregnancy prevention when you are discussing her menstrual cycle.

The more information that you share with your daughter about periods and PMS symptoms, the more comfortable and prepared she will feel as her body grows and changes. Be there and hold her hand during this special time in her life!

Related: How to build up your daughter’s self esteem

Partner Stories
4 Good Toilet Hygiene Habits for Kids to Have Early in Life
4 Good Toilet Hygiene Habits for Kids to Have Early in Life
Flu in Singapore: Is Your Family Protected?
Flu in Singapore: Is Your Family Protected?
6 Top Ways to Prevent Diaper Rash
6 Top Ways to Prevent Diaper Rash
Experiencing Mood Swings, Irregular Periods and Weight Gain Among Other Things? Here’s What You Need to Know About Hormonal Imbalance
Experiencing Mood Swings, Irregular Periods and Weight Gain Among Other Things? Here’s What You Need to Know About Hormonal Imbalance

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Felicia Chin

  • Home
  • /
  • Relationship & Sex
  • /
  • Your daughter’s first period
Share:
  • Period Sex Can Be Bloody Fabulous Too. Here's Why!

    Period Sex Can Be Bloody Fabulous Too. Here's Why!

  • Foods You Should Eat During Your Period

    Foods You Should Eat During Your Period

  • I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

    I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

  • 'Family is Priceless': Malaysian Man in Singapore Rents 2 Buses So He and 60 Other Strangers Can Join Their Families for CNY

    'Family is Priceless': Malaysian Man in Singapore Rents 2 Buses So He and 60 Other Strangers Can Join Their Families for CNY

  • Period Sex Can Be Bloody Fabulous Too. Here's Why!

    Period Sex Can Be Bloody Fabulous Too. Here's Why!

  • Foods You Should Eat During Your Period

    Foods You Should Eat During Your Period

  • I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

    I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

  • 'Family is Priceless': Malaysian Man in Singapore Rents 2 Buses So He and 60 Other Strangers Can Join Their Families for CNY

    'Family is Priceless': Malaysian Man in Singapore Rents 2 Buses So He and 60 Other Strangers Can Join Their Families for CNY

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Education
    • Events
    • Allergies & Conditions
  • Family Occasions
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Child Safety
    • Health
    • Diseases-Injuries
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Money
    • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diet & Weightloss
  • Normal Delivery
    • Cesarean Delivery
    • Behaviour
    • Secondary School
    • Formula Feeding
  • Ages & Stages
    • Latching & Concerns
    • Festivals & Holidays
    • Education
    • Pre-teen & Teen
  • More
    • TAP Community
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact Us
    • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
  • India flag India
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
  • Australia flag Australia
  • Japan flag Japan
  • Nigeria flag Nigeria
  • Kenya flag Kenya
© Copyright theAsianparent 2023. All rights reserved
About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

theAsianparent heart icon
We’d like to send you notifications for the latest news and updates on baby care and health.