What should a young girl pay attention to when she gets her first menstrual period?
Disease description:
Hello doctor, my daughter has just started her first menstruation. She is still very young and doesn't know much about this. I also worry that I might have missed some important points in advising her. Could you please tell me what should be paid attention to when a young girl gets her first period?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhang Lu
When a young girl experiences her first menstrual period, it marks the beginning of puberty, during which a series of physical changes occur. Parents should pay attention to hygiene, dietary management, development of good living habits, and psychological support.
1. Hygiene: Teach the girl how to choose appropriate sanitary pads and to change them frequently, usually every 2–4 hours, to maintain external genital cleanliness and prevent bacterial growth and possible infections. Wash the external genital area daily with warm water, but avoid douching the inside of the vagina.
2. Dietary management: During menstruation, avoid eating raw, cold, or spicy foods such as ice cream and chili peppers. Cold foods may cause blood vessels to constrict, leading to poor menstrual flow and dysmenorrhea; spicy foods can irritate the gastrointestinal tract and worsen discomfort during menstruation. It is better to eat warm, easily digestible, and nutritionally rich foods such as lean meat porridge and steamed egg custard to replenish nutrients lost during menstruation.
3. Living habits: Ensure adequate sleep, at least 8–9 hours daily, which helps the body recover. Avoid strenuous exercise such as sprinting or rope jumping, although moderate walking can promote blood circulation and relieve menstrual discomfort. Keep the body warm, especially the abdomen, and apply heat compresses as appropriate.
4. Psychological support: Menarche may cause emotional fluctuations in young girls. Parents should provide sufficient care and guidance to help them correctly understand menstruation, eliminate fear and anxiety, and maintain a positive mood.
If there are irregular menstrual cycles, abnormally heavy or light bleeding, severe pain, or other unusual symptoms, seek medical advice promptly to rule out possible gynecological disorders.
