Puberty is a
time of many changes. For young girls a defining event during this
developmental process is menarche, which is defined as “the beginning of the
menstrual function.”
Menarche according to Wikipedia,
is the first menstrual
cycle, or first menstrual bleeding, in female human beings. From
both social and medical perspectives it is often considered the central event
of female puberty, as it signals the
possibility of fertility.
Menarche can be a stressful time for young girls, and
the event is often met with mixed emotions. Like many other changes associated
with puberty, it can be confusing. Many girls experience fear and anxiety
related to their first menstrual cycle, largely because of misinformation or,
more frequently, lack of information.
Girls
who are prepared for menarche often have a more positive initial experience
with menstruation. However, studies show that many girls are not prepared. In
Delta women’s survey in involving 10 participants each from 25 local government
in Delta State Nigeria, nearly one third of the respondents reported that they
had not been told about menarche prior to its occurrence. Being caught
unawares, the girls did not know what to do when it came.
Some
of the most negative experiences have been reported by women who had no
education about menstruation or menarche. In one study, when describing their
menarche, women used words such as “panic,” traumatic,” embarrassed,” and “
scared” to recount their experience.
The
sight of blood generally frightens people, since bleeding is usually associated
with pain or injury. Thus, it is not difficult to see that when proper
explanation or preparation is lacking, cultural stereotypes, myths, or even
plain ignorance can cause one wrongly to associate menstruation with disease or
injury or to view it as something of which to be ashamed. Young girls needs to
know that menstrual bleeding is a normal process that all healthy girls
experience.
There are many sources of information on
menstruation, such as school teachers, health-care practitioners, printed
material, and even educational films. Many parents find that these sources
often provide valuable information on the biology of menstruation as well as
menstrual hygiene. Still, girls may have questions and needs that these sources
do not address. Even if they know what to do when their period comes. Girls are
often uncertain about how to deal with the varied emotions and feelings
associated with menstruation.
Mothers,
older sister, and particularly grand mothers can help to provide the additional
information and emotional support that young girls need. Most often, girls
consider their mother to be most important sources of information about
menstruation.
What
about fathers? Many girls feel embarrassed to talk to them about menstruation.
Some want their father to play an indirect role by offering support and
understanding, while others prefer that he not be involved.
In
some countries the number of single father households has increased over the
past few decades.* Thus, more and more fathers will need to rise to the
challenge of educating their daughters about menstruation. These fathers will
need to be familiar with the basics of menstruation as well as with the other
physical and emotional changes their daughters are facing. Fathers may choose
to turn to their own mothers or sisters for practical advice and help in this
regard.
Globally,
the average age for menarche is generally between 12 and 13 years, although it
can occur as early as 8 and as late as 16 or 17. In parts of Africa and Asia,
the average age for menarche tends to be higher. For example, in Nigeria the
average age is 15. Several factors, such as genetics, economic status,
nutrition, physical activity, and altitude, can affect the timing of menarche.
It
is best to start sharing information with your daughter before she has her
first period. Hence conversations regarding body changes and menstruation
should begin early, perhaps when your daughter is about eight years of age. You
may feel that this is too early, but if your daughter is between the ages of
eight and ten, it is likely that her body is already beginning to mature
internally in response to surges of hormones. You will notice external physical
changes associated with puberty, such as breast development and an increase in
body hair. Most girls experience a growth spurt (rapid increase in height and
weight) right before menarche.
Girls
who are approaching menarche are often curious about what to expect. Likely
they have heard other their peers at school discussing the subject. They have
questions, but many have difficulty formulating exactly how to ask about it.
They may be embarrassed about the subject.
The
same is true for parents. Although mothers are usually the primary sources of
information about menstruation, they often feel ill-prepared and awkward when
discussing the subject.
Pre-teen
girls who are approaching menarche are likely to understand simple, concrete
information. Such information might include how often a period occurs, how long
it lasts, or how much blood is lost. Thus, in the early stages of menstrual
education, it may be best to focus on the more immediate and practical aspects
of how to deal with menstruation.
You
may wish to discuss details of the biology of menstruation. Oftentimes, you can
get educational materials from health –care practitioners or from the library
or book-store. Such reference works may be helpful in explaining the details.
Some girls may prefer to read this material themselves. Others may feel
comfortable if you read the material to gather with them.
Pick
a quit place to start the conversation. Begin with a simple discussion about
growing up and maturing. Perhaps you could says:
“Someday soon you are going
to experience something very normal that happens to all girls. Do you know what
it is?” Or a mother might start with a personal comment, such as:
“When i was
your age, I started to wonder about what it was like to have a period. My
friends and I talked about it in school. Have your friends started talking
about it yet?” find out what she already knows about menstruation and clears up
any misunderstandings. Be prepared for the fact that in your Initial
conversations, you may need to do most if not the talking.
As
a woman who no doubt experienced your own anxieties and concerns about
menarche, you can draw upon your personal experience when discussing this
subject. What did you need to know? What did you want to know? What information
was helpful? Endeavor to provide a balanced view of the positive and negative
aspects of menstruation. Be open to questions.
Menstrual education should
be viewed as a continuing process rather than as a one-time discussion. You do
not need to cover all the details in one sitting. Too much information all at
once be overwhelming for a young girls. Children learn things in stages. Also,
repetition of information on different occasions may be necessary. As young
girls grow older, they are more able to understand additional details.
Another
factor is that girl’s attitudes toward menstruation change throughout
adolescence. After young girls gain more experience with their periods, they
will likely face new concerns and questions. Hence, you need to continue to
share information with them and answer their questions. Focus on what is most
meaningful and appropriate for their age and ability to understand.
References
4. ^ Anderson SE, Dallal GE, Must A
(April 2003). "Relative weight and race influence average age at menarche:
results from two nationally representative surveys of US girls studied 25 years
apart". Pediatrics 111 (4 Pt 1): 844–50.doi:10.1542/peds.111.4.844. PMID 12671122.
6. ^ http://vstudentworld.yolasite.com/resources/final_yr/gynae_obs/Hamilton%20Fairley%20Obstetrics%20and%20Gynaecology%20Lecture%20Notes%202%20Ed.pdf
7. ^ Magnússon, T.E. (May 1978).
"Age at menarche in Iceland.". American journal of physical
anthropology 48 (4): 511–4. doi:10.1002/ajpa.1330480410. ISSN 0002-9483. PMID 655271.
9. ^ Frisch RE (August 1987). "Body fat, menarche, fitness
and fertility". Human Reproduction 2 (6):
521–33. PMID 3117838. http://humrep.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=3117838.
10 Field work 2012(delta
state)
11 Wikipedia.
Written
by
Agboje Okwualefe Peace, Egbonimali Shadrack and Kirthi Gita Jayakumar
My daughter had her first last month. It was eventful for both of us. I'm glad she got through it. I'm glad I got through it...
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