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Parent's corner

Empower teens with knowledge early!

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As she grows up, your daughter may start questioning her gender identity and what she can and can’t do.

#### Be there to support her
If she feels that she doesn’t ﬁt with society’s traditional deﬁnition of what it means to be a girl, it doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with her. This is just a natural part of growing up – children explore and question. You can help by simply observing, accepting and being on hand to offer – or ﬁnd – further support if she needs it.

#### Don’t let society limit her
Remind her that her biological sex doesn’t deﬁne what she can and can’t do. Help her realise that she can achieve anything. For example, remind her that girls can play football, be strong and be brave! Be careful not to inadvertently stereotype her, or others, yourself.

As she grows up,..

1 How to dispose sanitary pads

4 Keep it casual

A123 6 Tips on How To Raise a Confident Daughter

That's why we're here with advice on everything about first periods and puberty.

My period

Wanna be your most unstoppable self?

Why Am I Bleeding Before My Period Is Due?

Discovering a little blood on your knickers before your period is due can be confusing.

A013 How to Start Your Period

1 How long does a first period last?

How long your [first period](/en-gb/tips-and-advice-for-girls-and-parents/my-period/what-is-a-period/) lasts is individual just to you. But the general average is from 3 to 5 days. However, some girls get their period for just two days (lucky them!) and some bleed for seven days. Neither is any cause for concern.

If your period is a little shorter or a little longer than average, don’t worry! If your friend’s period is longer or shorter than yours – also, don’t worry! It’s all perfectly normal. These small differences between our bodies are part of what makes each of us an individual – kind of like having blue eyes or green eyes.

How long does a first period last?

Puberty & Period Quiz

Want to be sure you’re giving your daughter the right advice on puberty? Take this fun period facts quiz together, to help you both sort facts from myths!

A050 How Many Days Are in a Menstrual Cycle?

A071 All About Early Puberty in Girls

It may feel like you’re developing much faster than your friends are. You’re not alone.

5 Skin changes

Figuring out how many days are in your menstrual cycle will let you calculate how often your period is.

So, to answer the question: YES, you can calculate when you’ll get your next period.

Read more about calculating your menstrual cycle:

Figuring out how many days...

A064 Tampons vs. Pads 

Tampons vs. Pads 

A011 What Causes Period Pain?

Recommended Products

__A changing mood__ is a common premenstrual syndrome symptom. The hormones in your body can affect your mood and your patience for things that wouldn’t normally get under your skin.

You may feel extra sensitive before your period arrives. It can feel like your emotions are going haywire and that you feel like crying at the drop of a hat.

Before getting alarmed, check the calendar. Are you about to get your period? If so, you know to take a deep breath, keep calm, and not get too flustered by how you’re feeling.

Sometimes some strategically planned alone time is also just what you need.


4 Mood changes

You may have heard your period being referred to as your monthly visitor.

If you want to make your period come because you haven’t had it in a while and are worried, you may want to look at any underlying issues that can be making your period late.

If your period is irregular due to stress or drastic weight gain or loss, then remedying the core issue causing your period to go a little haywire can help make your cycle become more regular and will help make your period come on regular schedule.

However, these changes take time until they take effect. There is no one thing you can do to, say, get your period tomorrow or the next day.

How to make my period regular?

A151 - Healthy & unhealthy behaviours in teenage relationships

The ﬁrst signs of puberty

- Starting to develop breasts
- Getting taller
- Becoming curvier
- Getting spots / greasy hair


- Experiencing mood swings
- Discharge in her underwear
- Growing pubic hair

A006 PMS Symptoms Before Your Period

#### 6 Visualise success
By picturing what you want to happen – whether it’s acing an exam or being the ﬁrst to cross the ﬁnish line - you make it more likely to happen. When you try it, visualise every detail, from what you’re wearing - to how you feel. The more vivid your imagination, the better! 

#### 7 Practise gratitude 
Being grateful for what you have and for what others have given you can help you improve your outlook and thought patterns. Try keeping a gratitude diary – write 3 things you’re grateful for every day before bed. 

#### 8 Celebrate small wins 
Be proud and celebrate all your achievements, even if they seem small - like getting that difﬁcult homework done!

#### 9 Don’t compare yourself to others, you’re unique
It’s good to look to others for inspiration but don’t compare yourself to them. We’re all different and all have strengths and weaknesses so compare yourself to yourself and see how far you’ve come and how much improvement you’ve made. 

#### 10 Strike a power pose 
If you ever need a quick conﬁdence ﬁx before taking on a challenge, make like Wonder Woman and strike a power pose. Research shows that ‘power posing’ – where we stand with our feet apart, hands on our hips and chin tilted upwards – helps us to feel more powerful.

6. Visualise success

1 What is normal menstrual flow?

A046 How Long Does A Period Last? 

The average female loses between 4 and 12 teaspoons of menstrual ﬂuid during her period, but only a small amount of that is blood.

Since her body contains over four litres of blood, explain that it doesn’t miss the little bit lost during a period and replenishes it quickly.

It leaves her body over three to seven days, so only a bit comes out at a time.

The average female loses between...

A017 What Does Your First Period Look Like?

A118 Her Puberty & Period FAQs

My confidence banner category icon

2 Practicing confidence

A054 Your Menstrual Cycle Need to Know

Answer #13

Twenty-eight days is just an average. Every girl’s menstrual cycle is unique and can last anything between 21 to 45 days in the first year or so, and 21 to 35 days after that.

Keeping track of your cycle is a good way to work out when your next period is due. It can also provide useful information for your GP if you ever have a problem. Use the Always Period Calculator to help.

FALSE!

A099 What Is Vaginal Discharge?

Do you want to know more?

How to Calculate Your Menstrual Cycle

There’s no need for your daughter to go to the doctor when she gets her ﬁrst period. However, you should book an appointment if she:

- Has severe menstrual cramps or any other extreme pelvic pains
- Experiences bleeding that is unusually heavy or lasts more than seven days
- Has vaginal itching, redness, sores, swelling, an unusual odour or discharge
- Is thinking of becoming sexually active and needs to discuss contraception and safe sex habits
- Might be pregnant
- Notices a change in the regularity of her periods after more than a year
- Experiences frequent urination or a burning sensation when she urinates
- Has any injury to her pelvic area
- Has had non-consensual sex or may have been exposed to a sexually transmitted disease.

There’s no need for your daughter..

1 Heavy, painful periods

A065 What is PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome)?

My Period category icon

Some girls and women spot when they ovulate, i.e. when an egg is released from one of your ovaries.

Ovulation happens 14 days before the first day of your next period (so on day 14 if your cycle is 28 days long). The change in hormones that occur during ovulation can cause light bleeding before your expected period.

A hormonal imbalance that affects ovulation can also cause spotting in the middle of your cycle. If you experience that a lot and feel worried about it, consult your doctor.

#### Other changes to your hormonal balance

Things like stress or new birth control pills can also change your hormonal balance and cause light bleeding before your expected period. While it can be unnerving, it’s nothing to be alarmed about.

Ovulation

You may feel like scoffing biscuits and crisps as though the world is going to run out of them tomorrow. Food cravings (especially for chocolate!) are totally a sign of getting your period.

Don’t sweat the occasional indulgence. Your caloric needs actually rise right before you get your period, so feel free to give in a little to the occasional craving. Just don’t go overboard.

You may feel like scoffing...

This can be especially true when it comes to getting your period.

Maybe you have a pool party to go to at the end of the week and you want to make sure your period has come and gone by then. Or maybe your period is a little late and you’d like to do something about it.

All this may have you wondering how to make your period come and what would be the home remedies for making your period come sooner.

Your body has its own internal clock that it operates on...

5 Write her a note

A061 Don’t Be Worried about Your First Gynaecological Examination

You might also want to start wearing an [Always Dailies](/en-gb/feminine-products/panty-liners/) pantyliner in the run up to your period so you don’t get caught off guard when it arrives.

Always Dailies

A033 How Often Is a Period?

A078 All You Need to Know About Boobs!

A good time to start having conversations with your daughter is when you ﬁrst start to talk about puberty. Discuss the things that boys and girls both experience, like getting taller and growing hair under the arms and in the pubic area. Then explain that some things are different for boys & girls:

#### For boys:
- Boys have testicles where they start to produce sperm during puberty.
- This is needed to help make babies when a boy becomes a man.

#### For girls:
- Girls have ovaries, which contain eggs, and a uterus, where a baby can grow.
- If an egg is fertilised by the sperm, it will then lodge in the lining of the uterus and develop into a baby.

Explain that boys and girls go through puberty so that their bodies can get ready to have babies, if that’s something they choose to do when they’re grown up.

A good time to start having conversations...

7 Pregnancy

A090 Your Guide to Breast Development During Puberty

Your Guide to Breast Development During Puberty

2 What is vaginal discharge?

## What is self-conﬁdence? 
__Self-conﬁdence__ is a feeling of trust in ourselves, in our abilities and in our judgement. When we feel conﬁdent, we believe we can. 

## Why is self-conﬁdence important? 
Self-confidence helps us to be positive and face challenges head on. It is important because it helps us lead happy and successful lives where we feel fulﬁlled. It helps us achieve our goals, enjoy healthy relationships and foster our personal growth. 

## Can I build self-conﬁdence?
Yes! Whilst there are some factors that inﬂuence how conﬁdent you feel that you can’t change, like your genes and how you are treated by others, there are plenty of things you do have control over like:

- The choices you make
- The risks you take
- How you think about and respond to challenges and setbacks

Check out the tips below on how you can cultivate your own self-conﬁdence. 

What is self-conﬁdence? 

A120 How To Talk To Your Daughter About Sex

Abnormal period symptoms generally fall into a few categories:

1. You’re bleeding too much
 Having an abnormally long, heavy menstrual period is known as [menorrhagia](/en-gb/tips-and-advice-for-women/period-tips/heavy-periods-menorrhagia/). Typically, you shed between 10 and 30 ml of menstrual fluid during your period.
 This means you would use about 7 to 8 pads or tampons per period, on average. If you’re bleeding through pads or tampons in less than two hours, it’s a sign of an irregular period. Ask your doctor if you’re concerned.

2. You’re bleeding for too long
 In general, a girl’s [period](/en-gb/tips-and-advice-for-girls-and-parents/my-period/how-often-is-a-period/) lasts anywhere between 3 and 7 days. If your period is regularly much shorter or much longer than this, this could be a sign of an irregular period. Ask your doctor if you’re concerned.

3. You’re not on a regular period schedule
 The average [menstrual cycle](/en-gb/tips-and-advice-for-girls-and-parents/my-period/what-is-the-menstrual-cycle/) is 28 days. In other words, if you have a regular period, you get your period about once a month. Of course, this 28-days figure is just an average.
 Every girl has her own unique cycle length. Anywhere between 21 and 35 days is considered normal.
 Getting your period anywhere outside this window is a symptom of irregular menstruation.

Abnormal period symptoms generally fall into a few categories:

How To Talk To Your Daughter About Sex

Your first period, as well as the next few after that, are often very light. That’s because your body is just getting a hang of this whole [menstruating](/en-gb/tips-and-advice-for-girls-and-parents/my-period/menstrual-cycle-phases/) thing and hasn’t quite sorted out what to do with all the new hormones floating around your body.

Your period may get heavier after the first day or so, or it may stay light. Your body will do its own unique thing. There is no right or wrong. Just keep in mind that you may not bleed much on your first period.

How much will I bleed during my first period? 

Don’t Be Worried about Your First Gynaecological Examination

A150 - Fixed Vs. Growth Mindset

Fixed Vs. Growth Mindset

A124 What To Do When Your Daughter Gets Her Period Early Or Late?

2 Is spotting before my period normal?

#### What products do I need to prepare for my first period? 

There are several products available to help you stay feeling clean and fresh when you’re on your period.
- [Sanitary towels](https://www.always.co.uk/en-gb/tips-and-advice-for-girls-and-parents/my-period/what-is-a-sanitary-pad/) – These absorbent pads stick to your underwear after you remove the adhesive strip. They are good for wearing overnight and on days when your flow is heavier. Some come with wings that fold over the edge of your underwear for better protection. We recommend [ALWAYS Ultra pads](https://www.always.co.uk/en-gb/feminine-products/sanitary-towels/always-ultra/) - they have a special absorbent core that turns liquid into gel – and gel doesn’t leak! Ultra pads also come in different sizes and absorbency levels, so you can get just the right fit for you.
- [Panty liners](https://www.always.co.uk/en-gb/feminine-products/panty-liners/always-dailies-profresh/) – These are light pads that you wear on your lighter days. Like regular pads, they stick to your underwear with an adhesive strip. Wear an [ALWAYS Dailies](https://www.always.co.uk/en-gb/feminine-products/panty-liners/always-dailies-fresh-and-protect/) Fresh & Protect panty liner a few days before your period is supposed to come.
- Tampons – These are inserted into your vagina with the use of an applicator. After wearing them for fewer than eight hours, you remove them by pulling on the string attached. Try wearing TAMPAX Pearl Compak which are grate for period beginners. 
- Menstrual cups – Like tampons, these are inserted into the vagina to gather blood, which you empty out later. For younger women, the smaller size is recommended.


What products do I need to prepare for my first period?

A038 10 Common Period Questions

10 Common Period Questions

__Feeling confident isn’t always easy, but when we give ourselves permission to make mistakes, are kind to ourselves and know that we can always count on our friends, we can feel like we can achieve anything.__

Feeling confident isn’t always easy,

If you want to talk to someone about how you’re feeling don’t be afraid to speak to a parent, teacher or trusted adult. 

Changes during puberty happen to every girl! Here’s everything a girl can expect, from milestone to milestone.

A076 Changes During Puberty in Girls

Changes During Puberty in Girls

1 How to calculate your menstrual cycle

The more you know about what’s going on with your body, the more confident you’ll feel as your body (and mind!) mature.


## What are the stages of puberty?


Well, we’ve outlined the stages of puberty in girls for you here, so you know what stage of puberty you’re in and what to expect next. That way you can progress through puberty with poise and confidence.

Puberty starts for most girls around the age of 10. However, some girls start puberty earlier or later than this, and that’s perfectly okay.

Most girls tend to start puberty around the same age as their mum did. So ask your mum when she went through these changes to get a good idea of when you can expect to go through them, too.

Puberty typically ends by the age of 16 for most girls.

The stages of puberty in girls:

The more you know...

5 Vaginal discharge

The best advice for how to start your period is to take care of your body. Eat well. Say no to drastic diet or exercise regimens. Avoid stress. The rest is up to your body and its own clock.

When your period does come, use [Always Ultra pads](/en-gb/feminine-products/sanitary-towels/always-ultra/)  with absorbent gel technology for up to 100% leakage protection so you can confidently go about your life free from period worry.

What tip can I take out?

How Does Menstrual Cycle Work?

You may have heard a lot of talk about getting your period. Or may have already got it.  Congrats!

7 Do tampons hurt?

A016 Can You Swim on Your Period with a Pad?

On the bright side, experiencing __period pain__ symptoms before your period starts is a big clue that you should prepare yourself for getting your period in just a few days.

Be sure you’ve got enough [Always Ultra pads](/en-gb/feminine-products/sanitary-towels/always-ultra/) in your cupboard for up to 100% leakage protection during your period. __Always Ultra pads__ turn liquid into gel, and gel can’t leak. And don’t forget to stock up on fun movies to watch curled up on the couch in your sweats for some feel-good girlie time.

Getting ready for your period

How do I know when my next period is due?

2 How do I know when my next period is due?

A077 How to Improve Self-Confidence?

A154 - What is Cyberbullying?

Where to get sanitary pads for my period?

6 Where to get sanitary pads for my period?

A035 Your Menstrual Cycle Phases

A073 Emotional Changes During Puberty

When used safely, the internet can be a lot of fun. It allows us to connect with our friends and family, share ideas and stay informed. But there are some risks and dangers too, which we should all be aware of. One of these risks is __cyberbullying.__ 

When used safely, the internet can be a lot of fun.

4 Getting ready for your period

A125 Helping Your Daughter Through Puberty

As soon as you notice the ﬁrst signs of puberty, start having regular talks to help your daughter understand the changes she’s experiencing & how to cope.

If you’ve noticed signs of vaginal discharge in her underwear, reassure her that it’s completely normal. Talk to her about using [pantyliners](/en-gb/feminine-products/panty-liners/), which can help her feel fresh all day long. This is also the perfect time to explain periods to a child.

As soon as you notice..

Here’s how it works. Mark the first day of your period on the calendar. The first day of your period is Day 1 of your [menstrual cycle](/en-gb/tips-and-advice-for-girls-and-parents/my-period/what-is-the-menstrual-cycle/). Starting on the first day of your period, start counting.

The day before your next period is the last day of your menstrual cycle. That’s when you stop counting. That’s how many days you had in your menstrual cycle that month. For instance, if you got your period on June 5 and your next period came on July 2, your cycle length was 27 days that month.

How to count the days in your menstrual cycle

A115 All About the Female Menstrual Cycle

Enhanced softness and protection provide the comfort is what you probably want the most during your period, even more so if your period is on the heavy side. [Always Platinum](https://www.always.co.uk/en-gb/feminine-products/sanitary-towels/always-platinum/always-platinum-normal-sanitary-pads-wings/) period pads provide you with all the necessary protection while being also gentle to your skin and extremely effective in absorbing any leakage, so you could feel confident and comfortable through the day!

Enhanced softness and protection...

While puberty is often an exciting time, it can be difﬁcult to know what to do when your daughter gets her period early or late. Click here for our tips!

What To Do When Your Daughter Gets Her Period Early Or Late?

2 Get her outside

A072 When Does Puberty End for Girls

A014 What Causes Menstrual Cramps?

Answer #8

During puberty, it’s inevitable that you’re going to put on some weight as your pelvis (the large bone across your hips) grows, your hips get wider, your breasts develop and you continue to get taller.

This is a completely natural part of puberty. Exercise regularly and eat a healthy, well-balanced diet and you’ll have nothing to worry about.

TRUE!

A083 What Are the Signs of Puberty in Girls?

Help her prepare for it. Give her some period products that she can put in her schoolbag or locker and reassure her that if she does get caught off guard she can talk with a trusted adult or school nurse who should have period products available.

Worst case - she can make a makeshift pad out of toilet paper until she’s able to get a proper pad.

Help her prepare for it.

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Parent's corner

Empower teens with knowledge early!

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The menstrual cycle explained in 3 minutes - Watch the video