Home • Growing Up • Periods

    Periods.

    Girls will start to have a monthly period during puberty. This normally happens between the age of 10 -16 years.

    But remember everyone is different. 

    Signs that your period is on its way include the growth of underarm and pubic hair. Typically, you’ll start your periods about 2 years after your breasts start growing and about a year after getting a white vaginal discharge.  It can take a few months to become regular and then most people will have one period a month.

    Why Girls have periods

    The hormones that start puberty are also responsible for starting the release of eggs. Girls need eggs to be able to have a baby, one egg is as big as one cell, smaller than a grain of sand which if not fertilised just fades away. A period happens when an egg (produced in the ovaries) travels down through the uterus and out through the vagina, there is a little bit of bleeding for 2 – 7 days, for most girls/women, this is usually about 2 tablespoons of blood each period, although this is mixed with water, so it can look like more.  

    What do I need to deal with my period

    There are lots of different products that you can use when you are on your period to keep your clothes and body clean and hygienic. The most common things are sanitary towels which go inside your underwear to absorb the blood.

    You can use a tampon which works in the same way as a sanitary towel but they are inserted into the vagina. If the idea of using a tampon freaks you out DON’T WORRY you can always just stick to sanitary towels.

    PLEASE REMEMBER THIS IS BEING PUT INSIDE THE BODY SO CHANGE THEM REGULARLY TO AVIOD INFECTION.

    These are not the only products available to use while on your period. If you want to talk about these or ask any other questions about periods please get in touch with your school nurse via CHAT HEALTH.

    Boys need to know about periods too!

    Firstly, because it helps boys understand how a woman’s body turns a fertilised egg into a baby.  And secondly, because boys will have girls and women that they live with, friends who are girls and one day, maybe a girlfriend.  The women in our lives all experience periods and it is important that boys understand why this happens and how they can be mature and respectful.

    Top Tips for getting ready for your periods

    • Talk to your mum or another adult you trust about what you can expect before it actually happens. You can come and speak to your school nurse about periods. If you would like to see your School Nurse please speak to school or text CHAT HEALTH. You don’t have to tell anyone why you want to see us.
    • Get yourself a small purse so that you can start carrying sanitary pads or tampons around with you so that you are ready if you are out and about.
    • If your period arrives at school don’t panic! Speak to a female teacher or most school offices will have sanitary products that you can use. Don’t worry you might find asking embarrassing but they are used to it. 

     

    Written by: Katrina Sealey

    Specialist School Nurse Runnymede

    Written by: Natasha Dawe

    Specialist School Nurse Epsom