Let’s Talk: Period.
Writer / Dr. Jessica Healey, OB/GYN at IU Health West Hospital
Photography Provided
Menstruation is a normal and healthy part of life for most women, but as common as it is, it can be difficult to talk about. Dr. Jessica Healey, OB/GYN at IU Health West Hospital and mom of two young daughters, knows it’s important for young girls to be prepared and informed.
She answers some key questions below about the menstrual cycle, how to approach conversations surrounding the topic, and how an OB/GYN can help.
What is the menstrual cycle?
When a girl reaches puberty, the brain will start to produce hormones that signal changes in the body, which are meant to prepare her body to be able to become pregnant. Those hormones will thicken an inner layer of tissue inside the uterus called the endometrium so that it can provide blood flow to a potential pregnancy. A menstrual period occurs when the body then recognizes that it’s not pregnant and will shed this endometrial lining.
Women will often experience cramping as the muscle of the uterus contracts to help push out this old blood and tissue. This is experienced by women as the blood and tissue leave the uterus through its opening called the cervix. It then comes out through the vagina and is seen as blood, or better known as a period.
When do girls typically get their first period?
The average age for starting the first period is 12 or 13. Some girls can start as young as 8 and others may not start until as late as 15. If they haven’t started by about age 15, they should probably start having conversations with their doctor.
Do you have any tips on how to approach these conversations?
I think listening to the curiosity your child has, and being willing and open to discuss those things when they come to you, is important. Being able to just educate yourself on the menstrual cycle and what your child might experience is also key. A lot of adults still don’t really understand what it is or why it’s happening, or the timeline of how things happen. If that’s the case, do your own research, and if you have an OB/GYN, you can ask them those questions. If you feel very uncomfortable, it’s also very reasonable and appropriate to either ask your child’s pediatrician or have your child see an OB/GYN to have these initial discussions.
