It may seem like it was five minutes ago you were helping her take her first steps and now, like all parents, you may be wondering whether it’s the right time to speak to your daughter about puberty and periods.
It’s completely down to you how you to explain periods to your daughter and it all depends on how comfortable you feel discussing the subject. Here at Lil-Lets we've tried to make it easier for you in this section which is full of advice to help you tackle 'the talk'.
Discover the tell-tale signs of puberty in girls and learn how you can support your daughter through the changes she is undergoing.
Find out moreEverything you need to know, from signs your daughter is starting her period to the products she needs
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Most tampons are made from a cotton like material, which is compressed into a small cylinder shape. Tampons are worn inside your vagina to absorb menstrual fluid. There are two different types of tampon, known as applicator and non-applicator and these give you a choice about how you insert them.
Menstrual blood is not the same as the blood you see when you cut yourself elsewhere on the body. Menstrual fluid lines the walls of your uterus and is called endometrium; this is a mixture of blood, tissue cells and natural secretions from the vagina and cervix and is not toxic or harmful in any way.
On average you can menstruate for up to 40 years, with 13 periods each year, that’s a whopping 520 periods in a lifetime! So now you can see why it’s important to understand your menstrual cycle and use the correct products for your flow.
It can look like there is an awful lot of blood being lost but don't worry! You’ll be surprised to learn that for people with an average menstrual flow, no more than 2.5 tablespoons or an egg cup full of blood is released each month.
Menstrual fluid is not always red in colour – it can vary from very light brown to dark red (almost black) and this is perfectly normal. Your period may be lighter in colour at the start or you may only experience a lighter colour on the last couple of days... It all depends on your individual flow!
You may have heard the rumour that periods stop in water due to water pressure, or depending on how cold the water is and therefore you don’t need to use any protection at all. This is NOT TRUE, menstrual fluid is released when the muscles surrounding your uterus contract and they can do this anywhere and anytime, even in water. So make sure you're always protected - a tampon is the best option because it's worn internally.
Don’t flush your used tampon down the loo! Instead roll it up in tissue and pop it in a bin in the toilets or with other household waste.
Breast development can start from the age of 7 -15 with the average being around 9-13, so don’t worry if your friends start developing or wearing bras before you, we are all different and it’s not a competition!
First off, don't panic, it happens to all of us at some point in our lives! The key is to treat the stain as soon as possible with cold water. Hot water causes the stain to heat and seep deeper into the fabric, so cold water is absolutely key! Hold the stained item taut under running cold water and you may find this gets all of the blood out. If not, give the stain a rub with some soap or laundry detergent and put it in the washing machine. Remember, some stains can be really stubborn so don't give up if it doesn't work straight away, they may just need another wash. Also, if you're pushed for time and can't wash your items straight away, pop them in cold water to soak - it'll make it much easier to deal with the stain later if it hasn't had the opportunity to dry!
