What To DO / What Not To Do

(Appropriate for ages 10+)

How to Survive Your Period: (aka what to do)

(Some of this information will be repetitive and can also be found in other pages on this site.)

      1.  Track your cycle!

• Tracking your cycle equals logging patterns. This can be virtually with a period tracking app or "old school" paper, which is perfectly fine too. By consistently keeping track of when your period starts and ends you can recognize the pattern of your cycle. Once more it is completely normal for your cycle to be irregular in the first few years of beginning your period. After some time (approximately after that 1-2 year time period while your period is still irregular) tracking your period will allow you to catch irregularities and potentially give you an advance notice that you may want to go see your doctor and seek a professional opinion, particularly if these irregularities continue. It is highly recommended you see your doctor if its been several years since your period has regularized and suddenly your period begins to be irregular again with no obvious cause. Overall tracking your period may also allow you to plan for certain events, such as going swimming. Although you can definitely go swimming while on your period, some people may prefer not to. (See the page "Period Products" for information on period underwear)

      2.  Take care of your personal hygiene!

• Change your pad regularly. Although most pads advertise 10 hour protection, your going to want to change your pad every 3-4 hours. If you use tampons make sure to change your tampon every 4-6 hours to avoid Toxic Shock Syndrome (See the page "Period Products" for more information) It is also important to clean your genital area well, as dried period blood that has been on skin for even a day now contains bacteria and bodily fluids, such as sweat. It is recommended that you run warm water over genital area without using soap, however, there are some soaps thats gynecologists have approved as vaginally safe. The most recommended is Dove Sensitive Skin Unscented Beauty Bar, but still only use soap in small amounts to avoid irritation. Be gentle. 

      3.   Understand that you are incredible!

• Period symptoms can often be detrimental to your mood and can effect your overall behavior. PMS is real and period symptoms include a vast variety of effects that can be painful in varying degrees. Be patient with your body! Most of all: Be aware that you are strong and incredible! Every time you have your period your body undergoes many hormonal changes. It is okay to be emotional! Seek comfort in pjs and heating pads. (Just a personal suggestion, but for more information see the page "Period Care") Don't be ashamed of having a period or having period symptoms! Know that billions of people menstruate and you are not alone! Our cycle's allow for the creation of life! There is nothing to be ashamed about! There is nothing to be ashamed to talk about either! Let's end this taboo around period talk!

AVOID THE FOLLOWING: (aka what not to do)

      1.   Do NOT follow home remedies for stopping or delaying your period!

• If you see a home remedy for how to stop or delay your period on social media platforms or on another online platform that is not from a legitimate medical source (written my medical professionals are approved by medical professionals) do NOT follow this remedy. It is not possible to stop or delay your period using these home remedies. Furthermore, many of these so called "period stopper hacks" can be dangerous and you should never put foreign substances in your body. 

      2.  Avoid using scented female hygiene products

• These products can potentially be irritating to skin and can cause burn-like symptoms. It is best to use fragrance-free products. 

      3.  You don't have to wait to take approved medication to help with period 

           symptoms 

• If your period symptoms are consistently causing you pain and are making it difficult for you to go about your day and perform your tasks at hand, you can take over the counter medicines that help lessen period symptoms, such as Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), Aleve, Tylenol, Midol, or Pamprin. You do not have to wait until your symptoms are at their worst for you to take medicine to help. (Once more, if you do not wish to take over the counter medicine you can always refer to our "Period Care" page for other tips.)