Figure out how to talk to your daughter about her period, from the ideal age for the period talk to the best products for teens.
Let’s talk about periods. Your daughter’s first period is a big moment in her life, but it can also be a little confusing. Whether you’re a mum or dad, having the first period talk with your daughter can be daunting, but we’ve got this. Here are some of our tips for talking about periods with your daughter so she knows what to expect. It’s key to have the period talk with her beforehand.
When the time comes, you may find yourself asking how to talk to your daughter about her period for the first time. It might feel like an overwhelming task because women’s health can be such a vast topic and you don’t want to leave out any important details, so we’ve broken down talking about periods with your daughter into the basics, period biology, and practical preparation.
When it comes to talking about periods with your daughter, start with what she knows. First, ask if she knows about periods and what she thinks periods are. Then, share the basics. A good first period talk with your daughter covers all of these points:
It’s worth talking your daughter through the basics of why we have periods and how the menstrual cycle and premenstrual syndrome work. So as your daughter gets older, discuss the science behind menstrual cycles with her. This may be covered by a period talk in school, but it’s still helpful to know and understand what’s going on in her body at any age.
The menstrual cycle is a complicated process with various hormones and multiple phases at play, but don’t let that put you off talking about periods with your daughter. Discussing the science of the menstrual cycle can be as simple as explaining that a period is when the lining of the uterus is shed if a baby isn’t conceived, or as complicated as covering the fluctuating oestrogen and progesterone hormone levels.
We've got all the information you need to help explain these things on the Lil-Lets Hub, as well as a handy period talk video.
Ultimately when your daughter starts her period she needs to be equipped with the knowledge to deal with it on her own. That’s why we recommend showing your daughter period products. It's easy to forget that she probably hasn’t seen what a pad looks like.
Once you've bought a pack of pads, show her one and explain how to position it and dispose of it afterwards. This should give her the confidence to do it herself next time. The same applies to tampons as they can be a little confusing. We recommend explaining all types of period products from sanitary pads and applicator tampons to menstrual cups and period underwear.
Kids might have a reproductive health talk or a period talk in their school, but this often comes in Years 4 to 6, which is too late to be truly helpful for some girls. Covering the topic of periods and signs of puberty at home before puberty starts is key to preparing your daughter for her period so that she isn’t shocked and confused if she gets hers. Unfortunately, if you leave this kind of education to schools alone, your daughter might be significantly unprepared if she happens to get her period before the period talk at school. She may also come home with questions after the period talk at school and you need to be prepared to answer them.
Navigating the period talk in schools should mirror what you have already discussed at home, including the basics, some biology, and hands-on preparation. When the school period talk does happen, let your daughter know that you’re there to answer any questions she might have.
It’s a good idea to give your daughter some menstrual pads or other sanitary products to keep in her school bag just in case. Our Teens Starter Pack is a comprehensive period kit, with a helpful booklet explaining being a teen as well as all the period products she’ll need to manage her period.
The first period talk with your daughter should open the door for more period talks later on in life. Whether you start talking about periods with your daughter at a young age or only introduce it when she’s a 9 year-old, starting with the basics and approaching the subject as a casual conversation is key to ensuring that she knows what periods are, what to expect when she starts hers, and how to deal with it when the time comes.
When it comes to period supplies, the Lil-Lets Teens Range has all of your bases covered, with pantyliners, pads, and tampons for teens, all designed with a narrower fit to better suit a teen’s changing body.
A period talk is a discussion guardians have with girls about what to expect when they start puberty and have their first period. Having a period talk with your daughter before puberty helps her to understand that periods are normal.
Discussing puberty and periods before your daughter’s first period is the best way to ensure she isn’t caught off guard, ashamed, or scared. In the era of social media, period talks are important to help make sure girls are prepared to manage their period hygienically and shame-free.
