How fathers can support their daughters during Menstruation

 

Fathers play an important role in their daughter’s lives just as much as mothers do. It is important for dads to know about menstruation and to be educated on what happens to a woman’s body when she is on her cycle. Yes, they may have an idea on what tampons and pads are, but do they understand why women menstruate? When it comes to having a conversation with your daughter about menstruation it may feel awkward or uncomfortable but when your daughter knows that you support her during a rough time, she will feel less vulnerable about menstruation and comfortable enough to speak to you when the time occurs.

What is Menstruation?

Every month a woman’s body prepares her for pregnancy if no pregnancy occurs the uterus sheds it lining. Menstrual blood is partly blood and partly the tissue that is being shed. It is a natural process that women first experience between the ages of 12 and 14 and can some begin earlier in some girls. Most women menstruate until they are between the ages of 45 and 55.

A cycle typically last anywhere between 3 to 7 days and sometimes longer for some women. Besides bleeding women can experience a variety of symptoms such as:

• Lower back pain
• Bloating
• Sore breasts
• Mood swings
• Headache
• Abdominal cramping

Preparing for Menstruation:

It is important to learn all you can about menstruation and be prepared to be there for your daughter when the time comes. You never know if you will be the only one there when her first period arrives. Here are a few tips on how you can prepare for your daughter’s first period:

• Don’t Overthink:

Your daughter’s first period is already going to be scary for her don’t make it worst. Support and listen to her. Just be there for her.

• Know How to Use Feminine Hygiene Products:

It may be odd to go out and shop for feminine products but being prepared and knowing how to use the products is important. Learn which products work the best, are safe, and how your daughter should use them.

• How to use a sanitary pad:
• Find a sanitary pad that will work with your period’s flow. Pads come in a variety of sizes, and it all depends on how light or heavy the period flow is.
• Wash Hands
• Prepare the intimate area and place underwear around the knees to see where to place the sanitary pad.
• Open sanitary pad from packaging.
• Place sanitary pad on underwear. Sticky side should be attached to the underwear. Press pad firmly into underwear. Fold wings under and press them onto the underwear.
• Pull up underwear and assure the sanitary pad is comfortable and in the right position.
• Wash hands and go.
• How to use a Tampon:
• Find a tampon that works with your period’s flow.
• Wash hands.
• Remove tampon from plastic and get into a comfortable position.
• Push the tampon into the vagina.
• When inserting a tampon make sure you are relaxed in order to get the tampon in comfortably.
• Throw wrapper and applicator into the trash.
• A tampon must be changed every 4–8 hours.

When young girls first get their period, it is best to start off with a sanitary pad until they familiarize themselves with their cycle and are comfortable with tampon insertion. They should use products that are comfortable to them and find brands that they love.

• Be Confident:
• Menstruation is already rough, don’t make it rougher. Be confident in your knowledge if you are not confident you can scare your daughter and make her feel worse about it. Be the strong fearless dad she knows you to be. Here is a list of facts you should know about menstruation:
• Menstrual symptoms are normal. Symptoms can be, and are not limited to, tender breast, headaches, cramps, bloating and mood swings.
• The first cycle will be irregular but will overtime settle into a pattern.
• A cycle will start every 28 days and last from 2 to 7 days.
• Every 28 days a women’s ovaries release an egg during ovulation. During that time a woman’s hormones change to prepare the uterus for pregnancy. If the egg does not fertilize and no pregnancy occurs the egg passes through the uterus and out of the body resulting in a period. During the same time that the egg is being passed your uterus lining is also being shed through the vagina.
• Your daughter can now become pregnant

Celebrate:

Small celebrations can make your daughter feel supported and confident. Don’t throw a menstruation party but a small gift or encouraging words can make her feel a lot better about starting her period.

In-Conclusion:

Menstruation doesn’t have to be an awkward conversation for dads and daughters to have together. If you are confident, educated, and prepared talking about it can make it a lot easier for the both of you. Showing your daughter support through a vulnerable time can bring you closer together and can reassure her that periods don’t have to be a hard topic to talk about.