Whether you’re a mum or a dad, a day will come when your daughter will either faint or go to you in panic and scream ‘blood!’ Well, as terrifying as that seems, it’s not all so bad. Every female goes through menstruation, and it’s always a learning process to know what to do until that day comes.

But, if ever you find yourself in the middle of a dilemma on how to handle your daughter’s reaction to menstruation, we’ve got you covered! Here are the most common questions that your daughter could ask and how to handle them.

Questions Your Daughter Will Ask And How To Handle Them

1. “I’m bleeding! Is this normal? What should I do?”

It’s a normal reaction for daughters who do not wonder about their mother’s sanitary napkins or doesn’t have an older sister who has to explain why they’re not in the mood. That’s fine, all you have to do is hand them a sanitary napkin, teach them how to use it and teach them how to wash their underwear before you sit down and talk.

Explain to them the basics, and that’s pretty much it. Tell them it happens to every female who reaches puberty, and every female goes through menstruation until they’re forty. It happens every month and lasts for 3 to 7 days. Give them space to let that sink in.

Once they’re ready and you’ve taught them how to count the days until their next period starts, teach them how to choose the right sanitary napkins for themselves. This is the part where they can try different brands and compare to see what’s better for them.

2. “What is menstruation?”

Menstruation is a natural cycle that every woman goes through. Because of a woman’s reproductive system, menstruation is a sign that pregnancy is possible since it’s the maturity of hormonal production in females. It occurs every month because it’s a female body’s way of cleansing itself.

If it’s hard to explain the human female body to your kids, let them know that it’s all part of their body’s way of going through puberty and there’s nothing to worry about. Just teach them how to count the days till their ovulation so they know how to prepare for menstruation every month.

It’s normal to have the period or menstruation between three to seven days. Sometimes, some periods last until eight days but that’s just the body cleansing everything clean.

3. “How often does menstruation occur and how will I know it’s going to happen?”

Since menstruation happens every month, count at least 28 days from the first day of menstruation. A regular cycle means having menstruation every month, on the same date. Irregular menstruation means having the delay for two or more days.

It’s time for your daughter to get used to having a calendar. Aside from counting the days, teach your daughter to understand her behaviour that could be the result of premenstrual syndrome or PMS.

Some girls or women tend to easily be irritated or annoyed, some feel very hot despite chilly weather. Some girls also like to eat certain food; salty, sweet or something very weird. It entirely depends on your daughter.

4. What is PMS?

PMS or premenstrual syndrome are the symptoms a woman experiences before their menstruation. Not all women experience this, but some do and sometimes, it’s not a nice experience. Premenstrual syndrome symptoms appear as:

• Mood swings
• Irritation or annoyance
• Feelings of bloating or uneasiness
• Increase in appetite or lack of it
• Excessive sweating
• Abdominal cramps
• Sensitivity in general

The intensity of the symptoms would vary, but if your daughter is feeling it a little too much and too often, consult the family doctor. The intensities of the premenstrual syndrome do have something to do with age, diet and lifestyle, so it helps to educate your daughter on what that means. It’s never too early to practice a healthy lifestyle.

What To Do For Your Daughter During Their First Menstruation

1) Introduce them to the wonders of a hot compress on the abdomen. Not too hot and not too lukewarm, a warm compress can really help your daughter if they experience menstrual cramps. Warm baths are also great to help her feel better, especially when they start dealing with migraines.

2) Give them hot chocolate or hot tea – it helps soothe the dysmenorrhea. A warm tummy can help keep the ache at a minimum. Make sure they have time to slowly consume their warm drinks.

3) Give them a crash course on proper hygiene during their period; when to change sanitary napkins, how to wash their private parts and what’s best for their reproductive system. It is important for them to know they need to change their napkins every four to six hours. Proper washing is also important to practice and keep the bad bacteria away.

4) Let them have plenty of rest. The intensity of the menstrual cramps differ by person, but if they do say they feel it bad, it is bad. Give them some time off strenuous activities