Period Power

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 You may be getting to that age where people
say you’ll soon experience the mysterious thing
called your “period”.
You have probably heard the word period
before and also probably know a little about
what it is. But what else is there to know?
Periods - also known as menstruation - can be
wonderful things! They are a sign of a healthy
body and are something to be proud of.

Your First Period - Congratulations!

This is an exciting time in your life! You are

growing into an adult and have your first period
to prove it! This booklet will cover everything you
might want to know about your period – but first
things first. Relax and celebrate this moment –
you will only get your first period once!

This is an exciting time in your life!

You may be experiencing many different changes as your body prepares for
its transition into adulthood. You may only notice the physical changes but
there are emotional changes happening too! You might start experiencing
mood swings with strong emotions which may be confusing. You may have
questions about your body, your attractions and your identity. Your
relationships with friends and adults in your life may start to change. There

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are natural chemicals in your body called hormones that are causing all these
unique and amazing changes. This is all healthy and something you should
expect.

What is a period?

In general terms, a period is the shedding of the lining of the uterus (womb).
See menstruation diagram below. It shows the uterus and its surrounding
organs – the ovaries the fallopian tubes, the cervix and the vagina.

The uterus is an organ in the body that provides a safe environment for a
baby to grow in during pregnancy. In order for a baby to be protected a
lining grows in the uterus. Even when a person is not pregnant, this lining
grows in the uterus to prepare for a baby. If a person does not become
pregnant, this lining is no longer needed so it is shed from the uterus until
the next month. This is called menstruation – our period!

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But what does that mean?

This means that about once a month (usually not on a strict schedule, but
about every 28 days) our bodies will shed the lining (made up of blood and
tissue) from the uterus, through the cervix and out the vagina. Often when
you first get your period it takes a year or more for your period to become
regular. For some people their period is never regular. Every body is unique
in its workings.

What is normal?

A period is a red, rusty, pink or brownie coloured spot on your underwear or

pad. Depending on the heaviness of the flow, the colour might be brighter
red and might change from one day to the next. This might be surprising the
first time, but is a sign of a normal, healthy body!

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What else is on my underwear?

You might notice other things on your underwear or pad other than your
period. This is discharge and your body’s way of cleaning itself. The fluid is
produced by the vagina and cervix and helps remove dead cells and bacteria
from the vagina to help prevent infection. Discharge is usually clear or white,
and may or may not have a smell. This discharge will look different at
different times of the month and sometimes it might not even be there at all.
Usually discharge is a sign that you are healthy and your body is working
how it is supposed to.

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The Vulva
What is a Vulva?

The vulva is
everything you see
on the outside. The
menstrual blood
(your period)
comes from the
vaginal opening.
The vagina is
internally
connected to your
uterus, with the
cervix in between.
The vaginal
opening is also
where a tampon or
diva cup can be
inserted during
your period. They
sit in the vagina to
collect the blood.

Does a period hurt?

Sometimes a dull, aching pain happens when having your period – this is
called “cramps” because of the cramping feeling. Sometimes the feeling will
be right below your bellybutton, sometimes it could feel like a backache, or
side pain. A period usually lasts about 3 to 7 days. You may feel cramps the
day before you get your period. Cramps do not usually last your entire
period, usually one or two days. And some people do not get any cramps.

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Something to ask an adult or doctor about?

♥ A sharp, unusual or strong pain

♥ Unusual discharge (the stuff you see in your underwear)
♥ A period lasting longer than 7 days
♥ Heavy bleeding (changing pads or tampons more than once every 1-2
hours)
♥ Frequent periods (more than once every 20 days)

How to manage the symptoms?

When experiencing cramps, or other emotional and physical feelings, most

people want to lie in bed until it passes. But, there are ways to help relieve
the pain and symptoms of your period. Lying in bed actually does not help!
♥ Exercise! Helps get the blood flowing through the body
♥ Healthy diet: eating from all the food groups, especially fruits and
veggies, drinking lots of water
♥ Use a heating pad on your lower tummy or take a warm bath
♥ Relaxation techniques – deep breathing, meditation, stretching or yoga
♥ Keep moving, staying busy takes your mind of the cramps

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Who gets their period?

Most people with a uterus get a

period. This usually means people
with vulvas and vaginas, but not
everyone with a vulva and vagina will
have a uterus. Some people are born
without a uterus and some people
have their uterus removed.

Sometimes people who have a uterus

will not have a period. There are a few
reasons for this:
 They are not old enough yet
 They are pregnant
 They are taking certain
medications or birth control that
stops their period
 They have gone through menopause
 They have too much or not enough body fat to get their period

When do people get their periods?

The average age that people get their period in Canada is 12. However,
people can get their period as young as 8 or 9 or as old as 15 or 16. People
usually have their period until they are in their fifties. If you do not have your
period by the time you are 16 you should see a doctor.

A period does not usually come at a predictable time every month.

Sometimes it might come unexpectedly, especially if you have recently got it
for the first time. As you get older it may get more regular and predictable.
There are ways to chart your cycle so that you can predict when you will get
your period, as well as how you might be feeling around that time of the
month.

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What is a cycle?

A cycle is something that happens again and again over time. On average, a
menstrual cycle is 28 days long. But, most people’s periods are very different
from the average so don’t be surprised if it is longer or shorter than that
(range of 21 – 36 days). Each person is different, so the only way to find out
how your body works is to pay attention and keep track of what is going on
with your uterus! You can use a calendar, a diary, or an app on your phone
or iPod.

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 QUICK FACT: Hormones are natural chemicals your body makes
to help it do certain things - like grow or start getting your
period! During puberty, you're loaded with hormones that tell
your body that it is time to start changing.

Over the course of the month, there are many things going on in your body.
The cycle is split into 4 stages and begins with the first day of your period.
Here is a quick explanation of what happens during the menstrual cycle.
:

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Stage 1 – Menstrual Phase:

 Commonly called the period!

 The uterine lining (endometrium – made up of blood and tissue) is
dissolving and shedding – thanks to low levels of a hormone called
Progesterone
 All hormones are low during this phase
 Lasts 3-7 days

Stage 2 – Follicular Phase:

 15-20 tiny eggs about the size of this period (.) are maturing inside the
ovaries thanks to FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone)
 Each egg has a protective casing (follicle) as they compete to become
the largest & strongest they can be
 Meanwhile in the uterus, the endometrium (lining) begins to grow
thicker again
 This phase before ovulation can vary quite a bit - anywhere from 7-22
days long, depending on what is happening in your life – which
explains why the total length of the cycle can change too

Stage 3 – Ovulation Phase:

 The winning egg breaks through its follicle and is released from the
ovary thanks to LH (Luteinizing Hormone)
 The fallopian tubes then reach out its fimbria (like small tentacles) and
sweep the egg down their channel towards the uterus
 At this point in the month you will see discharge that is thicker and
sticky

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Stage 4 – Luteal Phase:

 The follicle holding the egg becomes a corpus luteum which stays in
the ovary & starts releasing Progesterone
 The egg can either implant (attach itself in the endometrium, which
would only happen if it was fertilized by a
sperm and this would be the beginning of a
pregnancy) or simply dissolve and shed along
with the lining
 Very predictable phase – lasting 12- 16 days
 When this phase ends, you get your period
again – that’s why it is called a cycle!

Where do people get their periods?

The short answer to the question “where do people get their periods” is
anywhere! It is always good to be prepared since we don’t often know what
time of day our period might come.

Even though a period follows a cycle, periods are often not easily predicted
– especially at the beginning. It is a good idea to chart them or at least keep
track of them to help you plan for when it might begin. As you begin to get
older, they may get more regular and easy to predict.

It might be nerve-wracking to think about getting your period at school or

around friends, but one thing to remember is that approximately half of the

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people on this earth will have, or have had, a period at some time in their
lives! This is a healthy, natural part of life and not something to be
embarrassed about.

Keeping things like pads and tampons or a diva cup handy (even in a pocket
in your backpack or bag) can be good to help you feel more relaxed should
your period pay you a visit unexpectedly!

How do you say vagina in sign

language?

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Some products that might be helpful:

The Luna Pad

(washable &
reusable
organic cotton
pad)

Tampon (one
time use – make
sure unscented
& cotton)

The Diva Cup

(washable &
reusable
silicon cup)

Pad (one time use

– make sure
unscented &
cotton)

I ♥ my Vulva and Vagina

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 How to keep your Vulva & Vagina Healthy & Happy

Do Do Not

Wear loose white cotton Do not wear underwear to bed

underwear. unless wearing pads or panty liners.
Wash hands before & after going
to the washroom, as you often Do not sit around in damp or wet
touch yourself when using clothing. Do not use powders such
menstrual products and wiping. as Talcum powder or baby powder.
Wipe from front to back.
Try natural menstrual products such
Do not wear panty liners or pads
as the Diva Cup, Lunapads or
every day. Repeated use can be
products made of unbleached
abrasive and irritating.
organic cotton.
Pee when you have to pee, do not Long baths in hot water can dry out
hold urine. and irritate the vulva.
Tight clothing and synthetic
Eat well, drink water, get adequate
materials should not be worn for
sleep, exercise.
long periods of time.
Use a soft cloth and warm water to Do not share unwashed towels,
clean your vulva - no soap. Do not washcloths, underwear or bathing
clean inside the vagina. suits.
See a Health Care Provider if you
have lumps, bumps, abnormal Do not use coloured or scented
discharge, increased discharge, a toilet paper or scented menstrual
foul odour, a strong odour, swelling products.
or pain.
Do not be afraid to seek
Check your vulva and vagina often
information, ask questions or talk to
so you will notice how and when
others about your vulva and vagina
they change.
– that is how we learn.

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 Resources

Books about Periods:

Blume, Judy (1970). Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.

Gravelle, Karen & Gravelle, Jennifer (2006). The Period Book: Everything
you don’t want to ask but need to know.

Kauder Nalebuff, Rachel (2009). My Little Red Book.

♥ Lavender, Missy & Donatelli Ihm, Jeni (2015). Below Your Belt: How to
be Queen of your Pelvic Region – A Pelvic Health Handbook for Girls.

Loulan, JoAnn & Bonnie Worthen (2000). Period. A Girl’s Guide.

♥ Weschler, Toni (2006). Cycle Savvy: The Smart Teens Guide to the
Mysteries of her Body.

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Videos about Periods:

♥ The Period Fairy - On YouTube (Hello Flo)

♥ First Moon Party - On YouTube (Hello Flo)

♥ Camp Gyno - On YouTube (Hello Flo)

Websites about Periods:

♥ Diva Cup

divacup.com

♥ Lunapads – reusable menstrual pads

lunapads.com

♥ Hello Flo – monthly care package

helloflo.com

♥ Scarlet Teen

scarleteen.com

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For more information contact:

Stacey Jacobs, MSc

Community Sexual Health Education Manager

SHORE Centre
Sexual Health Options, Resources & Education

235 King Street East, Suite 130

Kitchener, ON N2G 4N5

Email: [email protected]
Website: shorecentre.ca
Phone: 519 743 9360