All About Periods

Instead, start the conversation early and slowly build on your child’s understanding. Girls and boys need reliable information about periods. So make sure you talk to your sons, too.

If your 4-year-old sees a tampon and asks what it’s for, you could say, “Women bleed a little from their vagina every month. It’s called a period. It isn’t because they’re hurt. It’s how the body gets ready for a baby. The tampon catches the blood so it doesn’t go on the underwear.”

If your child doesn’t ask questions about periods, you can bring it up. By the time they’re 6 or 7 years old, most kids can understand the basics of periods. Look for a natural moment to talk about it, such as:

• when kids asks about puberty or changing bodies
• if your child asks where babies come from
• if you’re at the store buying pads or tampons

Most girls don’t have any problems with their periods. But call your doctor if your daughter:

• is 15 and does not have her period
• started developing breasts more than 3 years ago and does not have her period
• is more than 2 years from her first period and her periods still do not come every 3–6 weeks (especially if she misses three or more periods in a row)
• has severe cramps, not relieved by ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, or store brand) or naproxen (Aleve, Midol, or store brand)
• has very heavy bleeding (bleeding that goes through a pad or tampon faster than every 2 hours)
• has severe PMS that gets in the way of her everyday activities

The more that kids understand about their bodies, the better they’re able to make good, healthy choices. Make sure your children get reliable information from you or another trusted source.