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Menstruation is still considered a taboo in Indian society. Even today, the cultural and social influences on people create a major hurdle in ensuring that adolescent girls are given proper knowledge on menstrual hygiene.

Talking to your daughter about her period may at first be a little awkward. One of the main obstacles to overcome before you have “the talk” is getting comfortable with your own thoughts and feelings.  Talk with your partner, your mother, or a close friend about how you’re feeling. This may be just as difficult of a time for you as it is for your daughter. Acceptance sometimes doesn’t come easy.  Recognizing how you’re feeling, and reasoning it out beforehand, will help you be more open and understanding of your daughter’s feelings.

You can explain that periods should come every 28 days, but may come anywhere between 21-35 days, and usually last about 3-7 days. And explain that blood flow is heaviest during the first 1-3 days and becomes less toward the end.  Keep in mind that when your daughter first starts getting her period, she may not get one every month. Let her know that this can be normal and that her menstrual cycle may take a few months to regulate.

The average age for girls to get their period is 12.5 years old, but it can vary anywhere from 8-15 years of age. Girls typically get their periods within 6-12 months of the age when their mothers got theirs. African-American girls tend to get their periods earlier, and athletes tend to get them later.  There are, of course, are always exceptions to those “rules”! 

Let your daughter know that every girl goes through getting her period, and share your experience about the first time you got yours.