MENARCHE

A transition from a

child’s body to a girl’s body

What is it?

The time of first period is called Menarche

These days girls are attaining their menarche at the of 8-9 years. Ideally, the age of menarche should be
around the age your mother or grandmother got their first period

1

This is the process of transition from a
child's body to a girl's body

2

A girl usually gets her first period between the
ages of 11 and 16

3

The average age in India was 14-16 years.
It has now, reduced to 12-13 years.
In some children, it is even less

4

The preparation for Menarche or first
Period happens two to three years before
the actual start of Period

5

Once a girl begins her period, she
usually continues to menstruate for the
next 30 to 45 years

6

With this menstruation cycle in women, there
would be no new human life

01

Reasons of early Menarche

Reasons of early Menarche

  • Increased obesity in children. According to a meta- analysis, the number of girls with early puberty was significantly higher in the obese group than the normal weight group.2 A recent study has established that girls with greater body fat showed earlier menarche and delayed breast maturation.
  • Consumption of processed, packaged, fast and fatty food can trigger release of hormones that can cause menarche to occur earlier than normal.
  • Consumption of too much sugar.
  • Increased screen time. A new research states that longer period of exposure to blue light was linked to the early onset of puberty in female rats.
  • Less physical activity. A meta-analysis across 12 athlete/non athlete studies showed that menarche occurred 1.13 years later in athletes compared to nonathletes.
02

Dangers of early Menarche

Dangers of early Menarche

  • Early menarche is associated with risk of seven cancers in middle aged women. These are endometrial cancer, liver cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, melanoma and bladder cancer.
  • Early menarche is associated with physical and psychological problems such as anxiety/depression, substance use and suicidal behaviour in adolescents.
  • Girls might struggle emotionally resulting in a drop in their grades, avoidance of social situations and loss of interest in things they usually enjoy.
  • Early menarche can increase the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases like hypertension, coronary heart disease and stroke in future.9 It also increases the chances of developing Type II Diabetes in future.
  • Early menarche can cause early fusion of growth plates, which can result in a shorter adult height.
  • Early menarche increases the risk of irregular periods and PCOS.
03

Make your daughter ready for her first period

Make your daughter ready for her first period

  • Tell your daughter ahead of time what is period and what to expect.
  • Tell her Period is to be proud of. It is her SUPER POWER.
  • Show your daughter how to wear a sanitary napkin/pad.
  • Tell her that the period will happen every month and can last from 2 to 5 or 7 days.
  • Tell her that she will not lose entire blood from her body. She will lose about 6-8 teaspoons of blood every period.
  • She needs to take extra care of herself with right eating habits and exercise.
  • She should not let anyone touch her or come near her.
  • Abdominal cramps during Period are a way of asking your body to slow down and rest.
  • She might experience irregular period during the first few years, which should regularize after 2-3 years.
  • Please do not talk to your daughter in a hush hush voice about Period. Let her feel that it is normal part of her life and nothing to be ashamed of or hiding from the world around.
04

What to use for the blood flow

What to use for the blood flow

  • Sanitary pads – Most easily available and comfortable to use. Mothers know how to use them and hence, can practically guide the daughters. They come in various sizes and materials. They range from made for light to medium to heavy flow and also for night flow. Might cause rash.
  • Tampons – They need to be inserted inside the vagina and they absorb the blood before the blood leaves the body. The experience can be uncomfortable. They are ideal for athletes or physically active girls and women.
  • Menstrual Cup – They are made from silicon and have to be inserted inside the vagina. They can hold blood for 8 to 12 hours. After that, the blood is emptied, the cup is washed and re-used. This is an environment and budget friendly option. It can be uncomfortable to use.
  • Reusable period panties – These are ideal for light days. They are comfortable and can be washed and reused.
05

What can affect the regularity of your period?

What can affect the regularity of your period?

  • If you have gained weight gain or lost weight
  • If you get sick
  • If you are traveling
  • If you worry about something too much
  • If you are physically inactive
  • If you eat unhealthy food
06

Make your son ready for Period

Make your son ready for Period

  • Start the conversation before he starts developing negative attitude toward Period based on hearsay.
  • Explain to him how the body of a girl works and the changes that happen in her body.
  • Explain to him that Period is every girl’s Super Power as it empowers her to give birth to the next generation.
  • Tell him that period is normal, healthy and vital part of a girl’s life.
  • Teach him to be empathetic towards a girl if he sees a stain on her clothes or discomfort in her body language. He should not ignore or make fun of her. Make him understand that a girl experiences pain, cramps and discomfort during these days and she needs to be supported.
  • Explain to him in a language that he can understand easily.
  • Please answer the questions of your son with upmost honesty and openness. Do not shy or circumvent.

Nutrients helpful during Menarche

Iron

Helps in making blood to compensate for the loss of blood during menstruation

Helps in producing new red blood cells needed for the growing body

Helps in absorption of nutrients, keeping the gut microbiota healthy and formation of RBCs

Strengthens bones and muscles

Protein

Supports the growth spurt during the adolescent phase. Helps in development of muscles.

Helps in better absorption of iron

It supports healthy hormone levels

Helps in better absorption of iron, protein and other nutrients

ICMR RDA of important nutrients
for adolescent girls

Click to View

Adolescent girls get these nutrients in
inadequate quantities from food

Click to View
01

Help yourself during Period

Help yourself during Period

  • Cut down on your salt intake. Salt makes your body retain water. Water retention can add to your feeling of heaviness during period.
  • Replace your cold drinks with herbal teas.
  • Stay away from chocolates, tea and coffee.
  • Breathe deep and slow. Take a full breath in. See your stomach rise. Then, blow it all out and see your stomach fall. Make sure to blow out all the air very slowly. Keep repeating this deep stomach breathing as long as you feel cramps.
  • Gentle massaging of stomach and back can help during cramps.
  • A hot water bottle or a heating pad on your stomach may help.
  • Exercising throughout the month and getting enough sleep will always make you feel better during Period.
02

Hygiene of your V Zone

Hygiene of your V Zone

  • Wash your vagina daily with a mild intimate wash to keep sweat and dirt away and also to maintain the pH of your vagina.
  • Rinse all the soap (intimate wash) from your skin to avoid any kind of dryness or rash.
  • Do not put any lotion, cream, powder or soap inside your vagina. Your vaginal canal has its own in-built cleaning system.
  • Always use good quality cotton, soft sanitary napkins to ensure complete protection and hygiene.
  • Change your sanitary pad every four hours even if it is not soiled.
  • Avoid wearing tight non-breathable panties, jeans or leggings for long hours.
  • Never spray deodorant in your vaginal area. It will mess up your vaginal pH.

Supplements that can help
during Menarche

Plant protein with strawberry powder & prebiotic fiber

14 gm protein

  • For all those girls who love the taste of strawberry. Blend one sachet with one glass of cold/ room temperature milk. Add sugar, if needed.

Plant protein with cocoa powder & prebiotic fiber

6.4 gm protein

  • For all those girls who love the taste of chocolate. Blend one sachet with one glass of cold/ room temperature milk. Add sugar, if needed.

Plant protein with kesar pista powder & prebiotic fiber

6.4 gm protein
Curcumin

  • For all those girls who love the taste of kesar and pista. Add one scoop full to one glass of hot milk. Give one more boil. Add sugar, if needed​

Plant protein with AllPro​ powder & prebiotic fiber

8.4 gm protein​

  • For all those who do not want the taste of their food to change. Add it to your roti, parathas, sabzis, raita, cakes, biscuits ​