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MENSTRUATION

WHEN DO GIRLS START TO MENSTRUATE?

A girls first period usually comes between the ages of 9 and 16. It is a sign that puberty has begun. Women menstruate until 45 to 55 years old.

WHAT HAPPENS?

Girls have thousands of tiny eggs in their ovaries. Once a month, one of the eggs leaves an ovary and travels through a fallopian tube. When the egg leaves the ovary, this is called ovulation.

As the egg travels in the fallopian tube, a soft spongy lining forms in the uterus. This lining is mostly made of tiny blood vessels. The lining gives nourishment in case an egg and sperm meet to form an embryo, which can grow into a baby.

If the egg is not joined by a sperm, This lining is not needed. It flows out of the vagina. This bleeding is called a period. This whole cycle is called menstruation.

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ARE PERIODS ALWAYS REGULAR?

When a girl starts to menstruate, her period may not come on a regular schedule. Periods may come thee weeks apart, or even months apart. After a year or two, it usually becomes more regular.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO KEEP TRACK OF MY PERIODS?

A girl should keep a record so she'll know if her period is late. A late period may be sign of pregnancy or some medical problem. Also, if a girl can tell a doctor about her periods, it helps the doctor give her better care.

HOW TO KEEP TRACK

The first day of your period is called Day 1. Bleeding usually lasts 2 to 7 days.

Ovulation (when the egg is released) happens 12 to 16 days before your next period starts. Ovulation, and the days before and after, is the time when you are most likely to get pregnant.

If the fire does not get pregnant, her period comes and the whole cycle begins again. The whole cycle usually takes 20 to 36 days.

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WHAT ABOUT CRAMPS?

Some girls have cramps during their periods. For most they are mild and can be helped by exercise, a heating pad or aspirin. If there is a lot of pain, very long a heavy periods. or very irregular periods or very irregular periods you should get a checkup.

WHAT ABOUT SHOWERS AND EXERCISING?

Menstruation is normal part of every girl's life. During her period, a girl can do everything she usually does. Taking baths or showers, exercising, dancing and playing sports are all fine.

WHAT ABOUT SANITARY NAPKINS?

Sanitary napkins absorb the monthly period. Most sanitary napkins are made to stick to underwear.

HOW DO TAMPONS WORK?

Tampons also absorbs the monthly period. But they are placed inside the vagina. Tampons can be used whether or not a girl has had intercourse. Tampons cannot get lost inside a girl's body.

Most tampons come with a plastic or cardboard applicator to make it easier to put them in. Only the tampon remains inside the body.

Tampons have a string at one end that stays outside the body. To remove the tampon, gently pull on the string.

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HOW OFTEN SHOULD TAMPONS OR NAPKINS BE CHANGED?

They should be changed often enough so that there is no unpleasant odor or the girl's clothes do not get stained. Changing tampons and napkins often can help prevent infections.

TOXIC SHOCK SYNDROME

Toxic shock syndrome is a rare infection that can happen during a woman's period. The symptoms include a sudden fever of over 101 degrees or more, diarrhea (the runs), vomiting (throwing up), muscle aches and a sunburn-like rash. If you have these symptoms during you period, see a doctor right away.

To help prevent toxic shock syndrome, a woman should:

• Wash her hands before putting in a tampon.
• Not use super-absorbent or deodorant tampons.
• Change her tampon at least every 8 hours.
• Not use tampons all the time and switch to a pad for part of each day.
• Not use a birth control sponge or diaphragm during her period.
  ( For these times, use other methods such as condoms or foam.)
• Not use a birth control sponge or diaphragm during her period.
  ( For these times, use other methods such as condoms or foam.)