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| What's your period? |
| ...coming soon! |
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Getting
Your Period
Questions
& Answers |
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We
never know quite what to expect when we get our periods. Here's a
few tips, ask older girls! Who should you ask? Ask your mom,
grandma, aunt, older sister, babysitter and the list could go on.
Ask someone you feel comfortable talking too. Don't be embarrassed,
it's absolutely ok to ask...because they've gone through it too!
Check out this question from a girl, wondering the same thing will all
do...what happens? |
| Questions |
Answers |
| Q:
What do girls experience before their period? What happens?
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A: Pain and
discomfort during menstruation vary from one woman to the next. Some
lucky ladies are hardly bothered by their periods-where as other females
experience a handful of unpleasant symptoms. Some common ones
include: pain in the abdomen, pain in the vagina, feeling nauseous,
sweating and fatigue. Fortunately there are some helpful ways to
relieve these unfortunate side affects: during your period, stay
away from drinks that are high in caffeine (coffee, tea, soda, cocoa),
avoid stress (if possible), take a few minutes during a stressful
situation to take a deep breath and refocus your attention on something
positive. Exercise, stretch, try yoga, it may help with aches and
cramps-plus it's good to stay fit anyway. If you have
cramps-try a heating pad and if all else fails there's always
pain-relieving medicines. If you're especially tired during your
period this may be why: low iron levels are a common reason for women
feeling tired, your body stores 80% of its iron in red blood cells.
Therefore the loss of red blood cells during your period can cause
fatigue. Try to eat iron enriched foods during your period to boost
your iron and energy level, here's some suggestions: bran flakes, chick
peas, beans, tofu, spinach, whole grains, and for a sweet, molasses
cookies!
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When
girls first start having their periods they usually choose to use pads
versus tampons. Pads are easier to get a hang of and are pretty
basic. Tampons take a little more understanding of your body and are
better to use when you're a little older. Check out these questions
from girls about using pads and tampons. |
| Q:
Is it okay to wear a pad & tampon, if it's your first time using a
tampon? |
A:
That is perfectly okay! When first starting out with tampons it is a
good idea to also wear a pad (a thin pad would work just fine) until you
get use to the flow of your period and tampon absorbency. It's
important to change your tampon often (every 4-6 hours), when a tampon
reaches maximum absorbency there may be an over flow which is why wearing
a pad is important. Once you get the hang of it, a pantiliner may be
all you need. Tampons are great, but remember to be careful when
you're using them, don't keep them in to long (could lead to TSS...scroll
down to read more about TSS), only use one at a time, give your body a
break and wear pads sometimes...especially to bed. Good luck!
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| Q:
Hi, I was just wondering, if you use a tampon and you haven't started yet,
what will happen?
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A:
Well, I'm not quite sure what you mean by what will happen? But
here's a few things that might help you out:
1. If you've never used a tampon before start small, starting small
will help you get use to inserting them and how they feel. Also make
sure you're using the correct absorbency for the flow of your
period...that is very important.
2. Using a tampon shouldn't be a painful process. You may be a
little nervous at first which may cause discomfort--just relax and with
time you'll get the hang of it. If you feel discomfort while the
tampon is in you, remove it and try again.
3. Read the directions! Each box you buy should have instructions on
'how to use a tampon,' as well as info on how long to keep them and TSS.
TSS (toxic shock syndrome) is a rare disease that is often linked with
tampon use, something to not be scared of, but aware of.
4. And....check out www.tampax.com,
the site is loaded with tons of information on your period and tampons.
Good
luck!
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| Q:
Is it normal when you use a tampon and it feels a little uncomfortable? |
A: Yes,
using a tampon can sometimes be uncomfortable. If/when you are first
starting out with tampons, you may be a little nervous, which may make it
more difficult to insert it, but don't worry, you'll be fine, just relax
and eventually you will get used to it. Sometimes you may feel
discomfort when the tampon is in you, if so, take it out, try again or
switch over to a pad for a while. Also, if your tampon is dry when
you take it out, it may cause discomfort, so make sure to use the right
size (absorbency) tampon for the amount of blood flow you are having.
Make sure you don't leave your tampon in for an extended period of time (
it is recommended to change then every 4 to 6 hours), sometimes leaving
them in can cause infection or TSS. Check out this website for more
info on Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS): http://www.mckinley.uiuc.edu/health-info/womenhlt/tox-shoc.html.
One last thing, make sure you read and look at the directions that you
will find in the tampon box, the directions will help you insert it
correctly which will hopefully limit discomfort.
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