1. Take Advantage of Teachable Moments
Talking to your child about menstruation can be a hard conversation to initiate, but it's a lot easier if the conversation begins early. Look for "teachable moments," those windows of opportunity that can be used as an opening for a bigger conversation. When your child asks about the sanitary supplies you're purchasing at the store or storing in the cupboard, consider it a good time to begin preparing her for the process of menstruation. Commercials also may provide teachable moments. The next time you and your child are watching TV together and see an ad for a PMS-relieving product, casually mention what symptoms the product treats. This can easily lead to a longer conversation about menstruation.
2. Use Appropriate Vocabulary
Explain the process of menstruation in words that the child will understand. This will vary depending on her age, but you can start by explaining that as girls grow older, their bodies begin to mature and prepare for motherhood, even before girls are old enough to become moms. Talk about the entire process of menstruation, from the ovaries to the fallopian tubes to the typical duration for menstrual flow. The more information a child has, the more prepared she will be when the process begins.
Don't, however, feel as though you need to use the word "menstruation" throughout the discussion. Most women use the word "period." You also tell your child the other names by which menstruation is known. Talking about why some women call it "the curse" can open up a whole new dialogue about the aches and mood swings that often accompany menstruation.
3. Explain the Responsibilities and Implications
Teach your child beyond the technical aspects of menstruation. Explain that with menstruation comes the possibility of pregnancy with sexual activity. Let her know that if she is sexually active before she experiences her period, she still risks getting pregnant because her first ovulation will occur before the physical signs of menstruation.
Assure your child that it's not unusual for her period to be sporadic when it first starts, and encourage her to keep track of her period on the calendar. Then she can connect symptoms like cramps or headaches to the onset of menstruation and plan ahead by putting sanitary pads or tampons in her locker or backpack.
