First of all, not all girls menstruate and not all menstruating teenagers are girls. We often refer to "girls" or "daughters" in this article, but of course we include all menstruating people.
The first period can be confusing and scary for many young people. We conducted an ooia community survey in June 2021. When asked what emotions were associated with the first period, uncertainty, shame and fear were the most frequently cited answers. And for parents too, this moment is often challenging, and it is perfectly normal if you as a mother, father or trusted person are a little nervous about educating young girls about their first period and offering the necessary support and reassurance.
This is a natural and important part of growing up and should not be approached with shyness or shame. In this article, we would like to give you a few tips to help you prepare your daughter for her own period and to support her when the time comes.
First of all, we would like to encourage all parents to talk openly about menstruation. An honest conversation will help many girls to prepare for their own menstruation, as they will know what to expect and can adjust to the change. How exactly this information looks is up to you and always depends on individual needs: Some teenagers prefer to confide in parents, siblings, friends or doctors. Others find it easier to read something about menstruation first before seeking a conversation. There are books that impart knowledge about menstruation in a relaxed and playful way and address insecurities and worries. The (first) period is also a topic of discussion more frequently on social media, and the Internet is therefore increasingly contributing to education.
We would still recommend that you have a personal conversation with someone you trust, where questions can be answered openly and concerns can be addressed without shame. Overall, it is important to show your daughter that you are there for her and that it is always okay to talk about her menstruation.
Removing fears: Many girls are afraid of the unknown, and it is important to remove this uncertainty, explain facts and answer any questions they may have.
Be a confidant: Menstruation should not be a taboo subject. Make it clear to your daughter that she can turn to you at any time if she has questions or concerns. Sharing your own experiences can also help her to overcome her fear of the topic and talk openly about worries.
In ourIn the ooia community survey , we asked menstruating women what they would have liked to know more about at the time of their first period and what topics they would have liked more information about. The most common questions they wanted to know were the following:
Pain, symptoms & PMS: Which pains are normal? What symptoms and physical or mental side effects occur shortly before or during your period? How do I deal with them and how can I do something good for myself during this time?
Cycle: What does the female cycle look like? When is it possible to become pregnant? Why do I have more energy in some phases and less in others?
Period products and their use: When asked in our survey what topic respondents would have liked more information about, the most common answer was by far information about period products. What choices are there? How do I use period products? How often do they need to be changed? And how well do they protect against leakage?
It's best to discuss together what period products are available and which ones might be best for your daughter. You can show your daughter what different period products look like and how they are used, where she can find them and what the advantages and disadvantages are.
If you are still unsure which product is best for you, you should test different products for yourself and see what you feel most comfortable with.
Period underwear is particularly popular with young menstruating women because it is very comfortable and does not slip. In addition, there is no need for additional products that have to be changed or disposed of during the day. Tampons are also a popular product for periods, but they require a certain amount of experience and sensitivity. Another option is sanitary pads, which are a little easier to use, especially at the beginning, and give a good feeling of security.
However, both disposable period products have the disadvantage that they have to be changed and disposed of several times a day. Young girls in particular may initially feel uncomfortable when they have to change their tampon or pad in the school toilet.
Period underwear, on the other hand, is a sustainable alternative: after use, it is simply washed and reused, replacing countless disposable period products and saving a lot of waste!
Specially developed for teenagers: ooia Teens period panties
Period underwear is discreet, comfortable and very easy to use. Unlike tampons or pads, which need to be changed frequently, your daughter can simply put on a period panty in the morning and wear it all day without having to change it. The three-layer ooia magic membrane system reliably absorbs fluids and wicks them away from the body, so she can feel safe and dry all day long. Period underwear does not slip and can also be worn during sports without your daughter having to worry about leaks or stains. The period panty looks like normal underwear - and feels just as comfortable 🙂
By the way: Period panties are not only a great option for girls who have just started their period. We have products for all menstruating people who are looking for an environmentally friendly and sustainable alternative to conventional period products - here is our product overview: Period underwear for adults
