What age should you talk to your daughter about periods?

We need to start talking to our daughters in a general way about periods around the age of seven. Although the average age for starting periods is 12, they can start as early as eight, and occasionally girls are hitting puberty even younger.

When should you tell your daughter about periods?

If your daughter doesn't ask or a door is not opened to tell her when she's quite young, most medical professionals recommend talking with your child about puberty when they reach six or seven years old. This might seem as if it's too young, but kids have the ability to comprehend puberty at this age.

How do you explain periods to a 9 year old?

You can say, “Most women have a period every month, meaning they bleed from their vagina a little. It's how the body gets ready for a baby one day, and the tampon catches the blood so it doesn't go into the underwear.” Kids should know what's going to happen to their bodies before reaching puberty.

Is it normal for a 9 year old to have a period?

When do periods start? Most young people will have their first periods when they're between 11 and 14½, but anywhere from 9-16 years is considered normal.

What do I tell my daughter about her first period?

Your Daughter’s First Period | What to Expect

What triggers a girl's first period?

The first period typically occurs after a female first ovulates. This happens when the ovaries release an egg into the fallopian tube. When this happens, the womb lining thickens in preparation for the egg to be fertilized. If fertilization does not occur, the lining sheds, as the body no longer needs it.

What is a girl's first period called?

Your first menstrual period is called menarche. It usually happens around age 12. But it is normal to start as early as age 9 or as late as age 15. Starting your period is a sign that you are growing up and becoming a woman.

What is the youngest age a girl got her period?

At what age does a first period generally happen? In the United States, a child may get their first period when they're about 12. However, anytime between 10 and 15 is within the average range. It's not entirely unusual for a first period to happen as young as 8 or as old as 16.

How do you explain periods to a 10 year old?

The earlier you begin talking to your child about the changes to expect during puberty, the better. Don't plan a single tell-all discussion. Instead, plan on a series of conversations. If your child asks questions about menstruation, answer them openly and honestly.

Can a 4 year old get her period?

“It is not uncommon for girls to start their period as young as 8 or 9,” says Dr. Sara Kreckman, UnityPoint Health pediatrician. “This can be both emotionally and mentally challenging for girls this young, as well as their parents.”

How long after getting pubic hair does period start?

Pubic hair – Once her pubic hair starts growing, you can expect her period to develop in one to two years. It may begin soft and thin but it will become courser and thicker towards the end of puberty.

Is it normal for a 10 year old to start her 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.

What can I give my daughter for her first period?

To help your daughter feel ready, buy a small zippered pouch and stock it with a couple of teen-size sanitary pads and a clean pair of underwear, Natterson says. Tell your daughter to keep the pouch with them at all times, and keep one with you, too, just in case.

How much do you have to weigh to get your first period?

Most girls get their first period between the age of 9 and 16, and puberty normally begins around the age of 8 to 14. Most girls will not start menstruation until they weigh at least 100 pounds. Puberty hormones lead to girls developing breast, hips, pubic hair, and growing in height.

What foods cause early puberty?

High protein intake elevates IGF-1 levels and promotes growth, which could accelerate the onset of puberty. Poor diet. Children with lower-nutrient diets tend to enter puberty earlier. A diet rich in processed foods and meats, dairy, and fast food is disruptive to normal physical development.

What should I put in my first period kit?

What does your 1st period look like?

Your first period should last anywhere from 2 to 7 days. It may be very light, with just a few spots of brownish blood. Or it may start and end more brownish, but be brighter red on heavier flow days.

How do I explain periods to my daughter?

What do breast buds look like?

Breast buds are small disc-shaped rubbery lumps felt under the nipple. They are always normal. Nothing else looks like them. Breast buds have no risk of turning into cancer.

Is it normal to get your period at age 8?

Most girls start their periods when they're about 12, but they can start as early as 8, so it's important to talk to girls from an early age to make sure they're prepared. Respond to questions or opportunities as they arise and do not be embarrassed. Periods are natural.

Is it normal to get your period at age 7?

Most girls get their first period when they're between 10 and 15 years old. The average age is 12, but every girl's body has its own schedule. Although there's no one right age for a girl to get her period, there are some clues that it will start soon.

Why does my 4 year old have pubic hair?

During adrenarche, the adrenal glands, which sit on the kidneys, begin to churn out weak "male" hormones. That, in turn, can cause kids to develop some pubic hair, underarm hair and body odor. Those adrenal-related changes can happen in the absence of "true" puberty, Kohn explained.

What are the first signs of puberty in a girl?

The earliest sign of puberty in most girls is the development of breast "buds," nickel-sized bumps under the nipple. It is not unusual for breast growth to start on one side before the other. It's also common for breast buds to be somewhat tender or sore.

How do you know when you hit puberty for girls?