How to talk to your daughter

Explaining periods to your daughter

Approaching the subject of puberty and periods can be difficult. But we’ve tried to make it that little bit easier. Our new becoming a teen website is designed to help girls understand menstruation and puberty, as well as reassuring them about the changes that will happen to them.

Depending how comfortable you are explaining menstruation to your daughter, and how open she is to talking about it, you can either let her explore the site on her own or sit down together and go through it. You’ll find lots of useful hints, tips and advice – including educational animations and easy-to-follow explanations. We also have a downloadable becoming a teen leaflet which you can save or print off.

It’s really important you talk to your daughter before she starts her period, so she knows what to expect and is prepared. When you notice those telltale physical changes, such as breast development and a growth spurt, you’ll know she’s close to starting her period so it’s a good time to have a chat with her. Remember to let her know that it’s all perfectly normal and everyone is different and each girl will start her period at a different time – it’s all part of becoming a woman.

Talk to your daughter early

Although you may feel she’s too young to know about periods and puberty, some girls start menstruating as young as eight years old. For most people, blood signifies something bad is happening, so it’s really important your daughter is prepared for her first period and understands why girls have them.

Discuss the science

Depending how old your daughter is, it’s worth teaching her the basics of why women have periods, what happens to the body and how the menstrual cycle works. This will help her feel more at ease when her body starts to change. Our becoming a teen site includes advice to help girls better understand their bodies and periods. There is also an animated video that explains what happens at each stage of the monthly cycle.

Be positive and open

Being open about the subject will encourage your daughter to have a positive attitude to these new changes. Becoming a teen discusses the emotional elements of growing up and how to cope with the changes that occur. By talking through these changes with your daughter she’ll be much more confident when the time comes.

Show your daughter the products

Showing your daughter what towels look like and how to position them will give her the confidence to do it herself when the time comes. Our becoming a teen site features animated videos on how to use towels and tampons, reassuring your daughter that she has nothing to worry about.

Our teens starter pack includes a range of products your daughter can try and find what's best for her. It even comes in a cute cosmetic bag so she can keep it in her school bag without anyone knowing what's inside. Click here to buy.