Taking Care of Yourself During Your Period

You may notice signs that your period is coming for a week or 2 before it starts. Most of these signs go away soon after each period begins. You may have some, all, or none of the signs listed below.

All worn out

You may be tired and need extra rest just before your period. You might have headaches, too. Try to get enough sleep. Take a nap if you need one.

Tender, swollen breasts

Your breasts may swell and hurt. To ease your discomfort, try these tips:

*Hug a heating pad or soak in a warm bath.

*Try cold packs.

*Wear a firm bra that fits correctly when your breasts are swollen.

*Talk to your parents if your breasts still hurt.

Cramps

You may feel pain or cramps in your lower abdomen and even in your lower back. This happens when the muscles of the uterus tighten to help shed its lining. You can soothe the pain several ways:

*Take a warm bath.

*Hold a hot water bottle or heating pad over the cramp zone.

*Relax with gentle exercise, such as stretching.

*Eat healthy foods.

*Don't smoke.

*Get enough sleep.

*Sip a warm drink.

*Take ibuprofen or naproxen as long as you aren't allergic to it.

*Check with your parents or healthcare provider if cramps get in the way of your normal life.

*There may be medicines that can help you.

Keeping track

It’s a good idea to keep track of your periods. You might use a calendar, diary, or journal. Mark the day your period starts and the days you have flow. Over time, your cycle should become more even. By keeping track, you can watch your own pattern appear. Then you’ll know when to expect your next period.

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Problems during periods

A girl’s period can add a new challenge to the already-difficult teenage years. There are many common problems or aggravations that can occur with periods, which typically occur monthly and last six or seven days. Some of these issues can be typical, but others may need to be evaluated by a healthcare professional. Irregular Periods Irregular periods can be worrisome and inconvenient, but it is common to have irregular bleeding in the first two years following the start of menstruation; for example, a young woman may have two periods in one month or could sometimes go four months or more without getting another period. The menstrual cycle is complex: hormones are made in the brain and must talk to the ovaries, which then talk to the uterus. As the body adjusts to all of these processes working together, periods should become more regular. It is important to see a doctor if periods are extremely irregular or occur more than three months apart. Heavy Periods Some periods are heavie...

Guidelines

There are a number of ways that can provide short term relief from menstrual pain and can be easily done at home such as: Rest and relax. Taking a nap in a comfortable position or relaxing in the bathtub with soothing essential oils can help ease the pain. Application of heat is known to significantly reduce the pain. You can either use a heated pain relief pad or simply turn toward a trusty hot water bag. Gently massaging your abdomen and lower back can soothe the pain too. Try to do some gentle exercises that help in improving the flow of blood to the pelvic area. Try relaxation techniques such as guided meditations and deep breathing. If you are pressed for time and cannot rest, over the counter pain medication should do the trick. These dos and don’ts of periods can make your periods much more comfortable. But when asked about how to reduce menstrual pain in the long run, experts advise incorporating lifestyle changes such as: Cutting down your caffeine intake. Reduction in smoking...

All About Periods

When Do Most Girls Get Their Period? Most girls get their first period when they're around 12. But getting it any time between age 10 and 15 is OK. Every girl's body has its own schedule. There isn't one right age for a girl to get her period. But there are some clues that it will start soon: *Most of the time, a girl gets her period about 2 years after her breasts start to develop. *Another sign is vaginal discharge fluid (sort of like mucus) that a girl might see or feel on her underwear. This discharge usually begins about 6 months to a year before a girl gets her first period. What Causes a Period? A period happens because of changes in hormonesin the body. Hormones are chemical messengers. The ovaries release the female hormones estrogenand progesterone. These hormones cause the lining of the uterus (or womb) to build up. The built-up lining is ready for a fertilized egg to attach to and start developing. If there is no fertilized egg, the lining brea...

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