The Talk: Mom, Dad What's This Blood?

Period, Period, Oh no a Period?!

This is how you or your parents may be feeling now that you have started your period. So you may be asking, "What is a period"?

A period may be overwhelming, cause anxious feelings and just be a down right nuisance. Whatever kind of feelings you may experience, it is something that you have to get use to, because it will be a part of you for the majority of your life.

WHAT IS A PERIOD?

For a girl, puberty is what brings about a new phase called a Menstruation or better known as a PERIOD. A period starts when the ovaries release an egg inside the uterine wall. If the egg does not get fertilized the tissue in the uterine walls are released out through the vagina as blood. That blood is what is seen when a female starts to bleed every month.

WHEN WILL IT START?

Around the ages of 8-16 a girl will begin her period. A period flow will last from 3-7 days (EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT). The period blood flow starts off heavy and towards the end gets lighter until it stops. An average amount of blood being expelled is approximately a tablespoon full. A girl can expect for her period to return every 28-30 days (EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT). A female can continue to get her period until the approximate age of 50. Then she will transition into a stage called "Menopause".

TIME TO EAT RIGHT

During the time of your flow it is especially important to eat right. Though the loss of blood is very low, your body can benefit from an appropriate diet during this time.

Bananas