A117 How to explain periods and puberty to your daughter

A117 How To Explain Periods And Puberty To Your Daughter

## Having "The Talk"
Puberty, with its physical and emotional changes, can be a rollercoaster ride for girls, so it’s important to have honest and open conversations. How you explain puberty to your daughter will set the tone for the next few years (no pressure!).

If you think it’s time to explain puberty to your daughter and have the ‘period talk’, follow these tips.

Read the full article below

Period Hub - PH05 - Pregnancy

Pregnancy

CAP01 - Healthy & unhealthy behaviours in teenage relationships | Always

Read

Menstrual cramps occur when the lining of the uterus, which has built up in preparation for pregnancy, needs to flake off and leave the body. For this to happen, the uterine muscles alternately contract and relax. These contractions can in turn cause crampy menstrual pains. Not everyone experiences these. Some feel only slight discomfort, while others experience pain in the lower abdomen or sharp pain radiating to the legs and back. Other symptoms that may accompany menstrual pain include:<br/>
- nausea,
- vomiting,
- diarrhoea.
<br/>
However, it is important to remember that although menstrual pain is common, acute pain caused by these cramps is not. You should consult your doctor if you have acute pain, if it impedes your daily functioning or if it intensifies over time. These symptoms may suggest that there are other factors behind what appears to be normal, expected menstrual pain.

A015 - T02 - Why period cramps happen and how do you know it's it?

Why period cramps happen and how do you know it's it?

A061 Don’t Be Worried about Your First Gynaecological Examination

Lie on your back with one leg stretched out, and pull the other knee up towards your chin. Clasp your knee with your arms to ease the strain and then hold the posture, relaxing for a few minutes.

How do you stretch away [cramp pains](/en-gb/period-hub/symptoms-explained/why-are-you-tired-before-period/ "Cramp pains")?

A056 - T03 - Knee to Chest Stretch

Knee to Chest Stretch

There are six main energy-draining culprits that lead to PMS fatigue.

- Hormonal fluctuations – Oestrogen usually acts as a stimulant, but its levels drop significantly after you ovulate, depriving you of its energy. At the same time, your levels of feel-good serotonin also dip, leaving you without its mood-boosting effects as well. Meanwhile, the calming effects of progesterone begin to kick in, which makes you feel more mellow.

- Energy burning – When you ovulate, your body temperature rises and your body starts burning more energy in preparation for pregnancy. For the next few days, your basal metabolic rate can go up by 9 percent, draining your energy. This all adds up to making you feel more tired.

- Anaemia – If your periods are heavy, you lose a lot of blood, which could lead to an iron deficiency in your red blood cells. This makes it difficult for your tissues to get the oxygen they need, meaning your cells need to work harder to function normally.

- Giving in to other symptoms – You’re sore and you’re hungry. You’re not sleeping well and you feel bloated. It’s no wonder you’re not jumping for joy. All these factors may stop you from exercising, which would make you feel rejuvenated. It is hard to get motivated when faced with these factors.

- Cravings – Your fluctuating hormones may have convinced you to binge on chocolate or other sugary foods, triggering a sugar high that is followed by a crash. This cycle can repeat itself unless you recognise it and actively switch to healthier alternatives.

- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) – If you are experiencing severe emotional lows, this acute form of PMS may be to blame. In addition to physical symptoms, you may find yourself crying, lashing out at others, feeling out of control or losing interest in things that used to bring you joy. If this happens monthly, you should see a doctor.

A149-T02-Can PMS cause fatigue?

Can PMS cause fatigue?

Don’t Be Worried about Your First Gynaecological Examination

How Often Is a Period

Stay fresh everyday with Always Daily Fresh Normal pantyliners. With their comfort design, they offer a great combination of comfort and protection, so you can rely on them every day without worrying about feeling them. Their unique odour lock technology will protect you from malodours. Ideal for vaginal discharge, as added protection for irregular and light days periods or for any light losses.

Always Daily Fresh Normal Pantyliners

Why You Will Love it!

PH05 - ADP -  Pregnancy Vaginal Discharge - Related Articles

PE01 - What is a Period?

Read Now

As long as your discharge is not itchy, smelly, or greenish-brown coloured, it is perfectly normal. Signs to look out for are cramping, pelvic pain or bleeding during sex, spots, weight gain, fever, or – as mentioned earlier – strange smells. This may indicate an underlying medical condition or serious hormonal imbalance that requires treatment.

These include things such as ovarian cysts, polycystic ovary syndrome, and cervical cancer (infection should be in this list as would be most common). These are rarely the cause, and they are often accompanied by other symptoms, so please don’t worry, but it is always worth getting the opinion of a medical professional.

A101 - T03 - When Should I Be Concerned About Brown Discharge?

When Should I Be Concerned About Brown Discharge?

A101 Should I Be Worried About Brown Discharge?

Should I Be Worried About Brown Discharge?

Caffeine tends to make your blood vessels constrict and can constrict the uterus. This can make cramping feel more intense.

During your [period](/en-gb/period-hub/first-period-and-puberty/first-period-symptoms/ "First period symptoms"), skip the morning coffee and opt for a herbal tea instead! If you need to start your day with coffee, try decaffeinated coffee during your period. If you rely on caffeine all day, then to beat the afternoon slump, have a protein-rich snack or go for a brisk 10-minute walk. This will give you a boost of energy.

Skip the caffeine

PUP06 - How To Raise A Daughter: Guide For Dads

Try these too 

You might also love 

Always FlexProtect - a pad made like no other 

- Absorbs like no other, Feels like nothing
- Thanks to its super-absorbent holes, FlexProtect Long absorbs up to 40% more than Always Ultra Long pads, for up to Zero Leaks
- Features a thin and flexible SmartFoam core, for up to Zero Feel
- Follows you at every movement, for up to Zero Bunching
- Always FlexProtect comes in a delightful carton box, for a nice and easy storage in your bathroom

Why You Will Love It?

A154 - What is Cyberbullying?

A145 - ADP - Why do you get cravings on your period? -  Related Articles

A127 Vaginal discharge during pregnancy: What's normal?

- Up to Zero Feel Zero Leaks
- Moderate Flow
- Recommended for the day

Infinity FlexProtect Long (Size 2)

Always Infinity FlexProtect Long (Size 2) sanitary pads

Choose Always Daily Flexistyle Normal or Flexistyle Slim for pantyliners that work for all knicker styles.

I'm looking for adaptive/flexible pantyliners.

Always Infinity FlexProtect period pads are uniquely made of super-absorbent holes and flexible SmartFoam technology. Click here and choose the best one for you!

Always FlexProtect period pads listing page

Always FlexProtect period pads

Put quite straightforwardly, brown discharge is caused by bits of blood getting caught up in your discharge, leaving your body. Here is a list of possible reasons why you might be experiencing brown discharge every once in a while:

- __You Have Just Finished Your Period__ Thick brown discharge is often a sign that your body is cleaning itself by flushing out residual blood from your period. Bits may come out with your discharge in the days after you think your period has ended. Older blood tends to turn more brownish. You might see this during your period when the blood is a bright red in the first few days and becomes browner a few days in. See this as a positive thing, as it means that your body is doing a good job of keeping clean.

- __You Are About To Ovulate__ Brown sticky discharge can also occur due to the hormonal changes your body experiences during ovulation. Oestrogen levels rise, prompting your body to release an egg from your ovaries, so the change in discharge texture is completely normal.

- __It’s Not You, It’s Your Birth Control__ Random brown discharge can be your body’s reaction to a new birth control pill or you might have forgotten to take your pill for a few days recently. This is thanks to the hormonal changes, and the spotting should stop as your body adjusts. If you have forgotten to take your birth control pill it’s important to start taking it as soon as possible and consider emergency contraception if you have had intercourse.

- __Your Cervix is Irritated__ The cervix is fairly sensitive, so anything from a slightly careless pelvic examination to vigorous bedroom antics can be causes of brown discharge.

- __You Are Stressed or Depressed__ Stress and depression can cause the lining of the uterus to thin, and parts of it to come away at unexpected times. Try to identify and remove the cause of stress from your life. Take some time out to relax or, if it feels more serious, see a doctor about the way you are feeling. With the right self-care and support, this brown discharge should clear up.

A101 - T01 - What Causes Brown Discharge?

What Causes Brown Discharge?

Carousal - A127 - Vaginal discharge during pregnancy: What's normal?

Vaginal discharge during pregnancy: What's normal?

Product Recommender Flexible Promo - PLP and PDP - Blue BG

Always FlexProtect

WHAT'S YOUR FLOW LIKE - HEAVY

Always Sensitive - comparison chart

Always Ultra Night - comparison chart

PUE A01 - Stages of Puberty in Girls

Stages of Puberty in Girls

FPG03 - How to Choose the Right Sanitary Pad Size?

Always Ultra Secure Night (Size 4) sanitary pads

PE02 - What Does Your First Period Look Like?

First Period, How it looks

PH02 / PH03 - ADP -  Menstrual Cycle / Symptoms Explained -  Our Best Sellers

Our Bestsellers

A070 First Period Stories

First Period Stories

Always Sensitive listing page

Always Sensitive Sanitary Towels

Confidence at puberty

Every woman at some point in her life experiences crampy menstrual pains. And how to get reduce period pain and cramps? You can start with warm compresses!

A015 How to get rid of period pain and cramps

How to get reduce period pain and cramps

If there’s a silver lining to getting period cramps, it’s that they often start a day or two before your period.

This gives you a nice (if uncomfortable!) heads up that your period is on its way, and enough time to check if your supply of pads and tampons is fully replenished from last month’s period.

You can also start wearing pantyliners to catch that first bit of period blood when it starts.

A015 - Get prepared

Get prepared


Most Always Daily pantyliners contain odour-neutralising technology, so look for this feature when picking your pantyliner.

I am concerned about odour. What is the best liner for my needs?

Stay fresh as a daisy throughout your day with Always Dailies Fresh & Protect pantyliners.

Always Dailies Normal pantyliners listing page

Always Dailies Fresh & Protect pantyliners | Always

A015 How to Get Rid of Period Pain and Cramps

- Up to Zero Feel Zero Leaks
- Moderate / Heavy Flow
- Recommended for the night

Infinity FlexProtect Night Extra(Size 4)

Always Infinity FlexProtect Night Extra (Size 4) sanitary pads

FPG02 - How to Dispose a Pad?

How to Dispose a Pad?

Absorption 2 DROPS

First Period Guide

Period Hub - FPAP - PE07 - How to Start Your Period

How to Start Your Period

Always Maxi - comparison chart

FPG06 - You May Be Wearing the Wrong Size Sanitary Pad! Here’s How to Fix It!

Try these

PUE A02 -What Are the Signs of Puberty in Girls?

Signs of Puberty

Caurosal - A145 - Why do you get cravings on your period

Why do you get cravings on your period?

Carousal - A101 Should I Be Worried About Brown Discharge?

FPG01 - How to use a Pad?

How to use a Pad?

Explain it in a simple way

Discovering a little blood on your knickers before your period is due can be confusing. But breathe deep. It’s usually no big deal. Click to learn more!

A012 Why Am I Bleeding Before My Period Is Due?

Why Am I Bleeding Before My Period Is Due?

Liners

A060 What are Periods Called in Other Countries?

A033 How Often Is a Period?

How Often Is a Period?

Always Platinum Normal (Size 1) pads with wings

Nothing is guaranteed to make her toes curl more than you tiptoe-ing round the subject.

When starting to explain puberty, avoid euphemisms. Using phrases like ‘foof’ or ‘front bottom’, or replacing words like ‘period’ with ‘time of the month’, can send out subtle messages that periods are something to be embarrassed about.

Be clear that puberty is something that everyone goes through – mums, dads and brothers included!

Be matter of fact

PADS-Related Articles

Quick Reads

What is Cyberbullying? 

A062 How To Feel Better During Your Period With Comfortable Pads

Always Maxi

The Always My Fit sizing chart can be found on the top of all Always’ pad packages and the numbered size is found on the front. The better it ﬁts, the better it protects!

A117 - C04 - Find your size 

Many women already feel tired on the average day, stretched by various demands of family, school, work and social networking. However, if you are feeling even more worn down in the week before your period, it’s time to look at possible remedies for premenstrual fatigue. 

In the days leading up to your period, your feel-good hormones take a holiday. This happens just as your body needs them to provide the energy to power through the cravings, the loss of blood and the other transitions occurring at this time of the month. 

You can combat PMS fatigue by committing to some healthy habits.

A149-T01-Why Are You Tired Before Your Period? Causes and Remedies

Why Are You Tired Before Your Period? Causes and Remedies

Always Infinity Long (Size 2) Sanitary Pads With Wings

What is a Period?

Issues & Conditions

Always Infinity FlexProtect Long (Size 2) sanitary pads 11 ct

11 ct

1 Start talking early

Can PMS cause fatigue? If you're feeling tired before your period, click here to learn what you can do about this!

A149 Why Are You Tired Before Your Period? Causes and Remedies | Always

Why Are You Tired Before Your Period? Causes and Remedies | Always

PH03 - Symptoms - Related Products

Related Products

Sit on the floor, legs as far apart as you can get them. Hold your toes if you can, or clasp your ankles lightly. Keep your back straight and breathe in, holding your diaphragm (the muscle under your ribs) up and in. Holding this position, take a few deep breaths. As you breathe out for the last time, bend forwards towards the floor and exhale.

A056 - T01 - Wide Leg Forward Bend

Wide Leg Forward Bend

Caurosal - A149 - Why Are You Tired Before Your Period? Causes and Remedies

Always Maxi Sanitary Pads

A120 How To Talk To Your Daughter About Sex

A012 - T03 - Why does spotting happen?

Why does spotting happen?

Period Hub - PH04 - Vaginal Discharge

Vaginal Discharge

While white-coloured discharge is totally normal, texture-wise it should be the same all the way through, without lumps – whether it is sticky, gooey, thin, elastic or thick. This alternative version with clumps in it is not so great, and is very rarely going to be a positive discovery. 

The closest thing we can compare it to is cottage cheese (and we’re so sorry if this puts you off your favourite jacket potato topping for life!) But if what you see in your underwear, or on the toilet paper when wiping after a trip to the loo, is thick curd-like discharge with white chunks in it, then that is what we are talking about here.

Other signs that you may have it include itching in the area, or some pain or swelling, and stinging during sex or having a wee. You might also notice a yeasty sort of smell in your underwear.

A128-T01- How To Recognize Yeast Infection Discharge?

How To Recognize Yeast Infection Discharge?

Find helpful resources about periods categorised into subtopics. Get informed with expert insights, navigate your period journey with confidence.

First Period & Puberty

Period Hub: Explore Period Articles by Category | Always UK

A042 How to Choose the Right Sanitary Pad Size?

Always Ultra Ultimate Night (Size 6) sanitary pads

Period Hub - PH01 - First Period & Puberty

A149 PMS fatigue

Recognise the early signs of puberty such as developing breast, vaginal discharge acne, baby hair growth

Recognize the sign

A012 Article Flash card first Image Bleeding between Periods

A012 Bleeding Between Periods

Always_EN_UK/Articles/A070-First-Period-Stories/First-Period-Stories.jpg

Always_EN_UK/Articles/A052-What-is-a-Period/What-is-a-Period.jpg

Always_EN_UK/Product-categories/ALWAYS-MAXI-santary-towels.jpg

Always_EN_UK/Articles/A123-6-Tips-on-How-To-Raise-a-Confident-Daughter/00-How-To-Raise-A-Confident-Daughter.jpg

Always_EN_UK/Articles/A036-How-to-Dispose-Sanitary-Pads/00-How_to-dispose-sanitary-pads.jpg

Up to ZERO feel and ZERO leaks with Always Infinity FlexProtect period pads with wings

Always Infinity main 640x790

Not sure where to start?

Always Daily Liners Aurora SI03

Always_EN_UK/Articles/A056-3-Stretches-for-Period-Cramps/3-Stretches-for-Period-Cramps.jpg

A015 - How to get rid of period pain and cramps

Get her period ready

A101 - Should I be worried about Brown Discharge

Always_EN_UK/Articles/A117-Having-the-talk/02-Be-matter-of-fact.jpg

Your-Guide-to-Breast-Development 

Parents looking for tips?

productRecommender

Find the right fit - SP

Always_EN_UK/Articles/A119-How-To-Raise-A-Daughter/00-How-To-Raise-a-Daughter-For-Dads.jpg

How to prepare her for her first period

Always Daily Liners Aurora SI05

Product Recommender

Always_EN_UK/Articles/A062-How-To-Feel-Better-During-Your-Period/How-To-Feel-Better-During-Your-Period.jpg

Find the right fit

Always-UK-Ultra-banner-3x-protection-new-SP

Always Daily Liners Aurora SI09

Always Infinity FlexProtect Long (Size 2) period pads with wings

04015400684480 C7N1

Always_EN_UK/Articles/A045-7-Reasons-for-a-Late-Period/Head_7_Reasons-for-a-late-period.jpg

Materials for Teachers

Always-UK-Ultra-banner-3x-protection-new-DT

Always UK-kids

Always_EN_UK/Products-Comparison-chart-images/Sensitive-Pads.png

01-Home remedies for irregular periods in teenagers

01-Emotional changes during puberty

Always_EN_UK/Articles/A015-How-to-Get-Rid-of-Period-Pain-and-Cramps/10_how-to-get-rid-of-period-pain-and-cramps

Always-UK-Pippa-Banner-DT

A145  - Cravings on your period

04015400564119 C1N1

A117 Explain periods to daughter

Share your story - SP

How To Explain Periods And Puberty To Your Daughter

Read the full article below

Having "The Talk"

01 Start talking early

02 Be matter of fact

03 Use tools to help

04 Share your experiences

05 Write her a note

06 Encourage period openness

Product Recommender