A Girl's First Period

'Am I going to die mommy?' A simple, but stressful question asked by a 10-year-old girl to her mommy. This question was asked after the little girl noticed blood stains in her underpants. She was troubled by stomach cramps, leg cramps and back pain. No wonder, the child was worried that it may indicate an impending death. However, a girl's first period is a time for celebration for many mothers. It indicates her budding daughter is now blossoming into a young woman. In today's fast age, these budding daughter's tend to learn a lot about girl's first period from friends, media, teachers and even the Internet. However, parents are still nervous about this coming of age process and want to prepare themselves for any questions raised by their young daughter. Let us have a look at some of the information related to girl's first period that will help parents as well as their daughters.

Average Age of Girl's First Period
A girls first period age depends on many factors. These factors include the regions where the girl lives, cultural factors, genetic disposition, level of nourishment, and individual biological clock, to names a few. One cannot predict exactly when will a girl experience her first period. Most of the time, girls get their first period sometime near their puberty. A girl's first period is called menarche.

Puberty is that point of life when a child or adolescent becomes mature and the body is getting ready for reproduction. Girls experience menarche and then on carry on with the menstruation cycle till they reach the age of menopause. It leads to many hormonal changes that cause physical development of the girls body. Hormones estrogen and progesterone play a role in initiation of periods. As the level of these hormones rise in the body of an 8 to 9-year-old girl, physical changes begin to appear. You may notice your daughter growing underarm and pubic hair. Gradually, there will be breast development in girls and the hip region begins to widen. A few girls will face the common teenage agony of acne. Within two years of noticing these signs, the girls will experience her first period. In North America, the average age of girls first period is about 12 to 13 years. However, a girls first period age can be as low as 9 years and in some cases a girl will experience menarche at the age of 16 years.

Today, more and more cases of early menarche are observed. Young girls as old as 8 years are experiencing their first periods. These early menstrual periods are called premature menarche. In some cases, external factors, stress, hormonal imbalances, genes, etc. may cause periods to appear as late as 16 years. These late appearing periods are called amenorrhea. These girls who do not get their first period by the age of 15 or 16 years should seek gynecological help. This will help determine the underlying factor and take corrective action.

Girls First Period Signs
In most cases, a girls first period signs begin with the menstrual bleeding itself. The girls first period signs include discomfort in the stomach region. She may even experience bloating, fatigue and a lot of mood swings. The girl may become irritable and may even appear gloomy. If you notice physical changes in your daughter and then notice these girls first period signs, it would be wise to begin speaking about menstruation with her. You need to explain that it is all right if she spots a red or brownish stain on her underpants. Explain the child that menstruation is a sign of fertility. It indicates she is maturing and turning into a woman from a girl.

Girls First Period Symptoms
There are plenty of girls first period symptoms that may be experienced by a girl. One may experience light or heavy first periods. Girls first period symptoms include headache, backache and even leg ache. Stomach cramps are a common symptom of menarche. These abdominal cramps may last for a first few days of the menstruation cycle. A girl's first period will cause discomfort. Do not feel scared or become worried. It is very normal to experience pain as the uterus contracts during periods. One may feel low intensity cramps, whereas her friend may experience severe cramps. The girls first period symptoms are different for each and every individual.

Girls First Period PMS
Many girls experience PMS or Premenstrual Syndrome. This syndrome is a set of symptoms experienced by women before the start of their periods. Once a girl starts with her periods, she will experience PMS every month. These symptoms indicate the start of the menstruation cycle. One may experience bloating, fatigue, headaches, pimples, menstrual cramps, etc. This PMS symptoms maybe different for each girl, and help a girl get ready for her monthly periods.

A girl's first period maybe very scary for some young minds. Mothers should speak about the process and comfort their daughter's. When you observe girls first period signs in your daughter, you should begin speaking to her about maturity. Teach her what she should expect, whenever her periods begin. You should talk to her about the use of sanitary pads and tampons. It is important that you give your daughter a small sanitary pad to keep in their bags. This will come in handy, in case she starts her menarche in school. This is the right time to explain to her the general hygiene tips that she should maintain when in periods. Also, it the best time to speak to your daughter about the subject of 'birds and bees', that is, sex.

You may find that your daughter is trying to break free and become more independent as she matures. This is a normal part of growing. However independent she looks, your daughter needs your support and care. A girl's first period is one of the biggest milestone in her life. Celebrate the advent of a girl's first period and watch your young child bloom into a beautiful lady.