JUST THE FACTS: UNDERSTANDING MENSTRUATION WHY IT MATTERS? WHAT IS MENARCHE? THE BASICS • Girls who get blood on their clothes are • Menarche is the onset of menstruation. often teased by teachers, boys or other girls. Girls generally get their first period between MENSTRUATION IS NORMAL! 11–15, although some can be younger IT IS THE MONTHLY • Social norms may lead women and girls or older. SHEDDING OF BLOOD AND to feel that menstruation is dirty, shameful or unhealthy. • The first period is generally a surprise! UTERINE TISSUE AND AN Sometimes girls are scared or worried IMPORTANT PART OF THE • Without access to good menstrual materials they are sick. They may not know who to REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE. and private toilets or washrooms for ask for advice. TYPICALLY, IT LASTS... changing, girls and women may not want to go far from home. Teachers may miss • Information about menstruation is school, health workers may miss work, and frequently passed on from mothers, friends, 2-7DAYS girls and women may not attend school, go sisters or aunts, and is often a mixture of to the market or wait in line for supplies. cultural beliefs, superstition and practical information that is sometimes helpful and sometimes not. THE AMOUNT OF BLOOD Menstruation is very personal. Women and girls often do not want • In many cultures mothers may feel IS USUALLY BETWEEN others to know they are menstruating – uncomfortable to talk to their daughters even other women and girls. about periods because it is linked to sexuality. 1AND6 TABLESPOONS EACH WHAT DO THEY NEED? MONTH AND CAN • A range of materials can be used to • Menstrual periods are irregular and can • Even when using good menstrual BE MESSY. catch the blood, including a sanitary pad catch girls and women by surprise. This materials, women and girls may be (disposable or reusable), a tampon, causes anxiety about finding a bathroom worried about blood stains on their clothes. or a piece of cloth in their underwear. and materials quickly! • Women and girls need access ABDOMINAL CRAMPS, • Menstruation can be messy! Women to a private, clean space (toilet or NAUSEA, DIARRHEA and girls need a private space with washroom) to change materials throughout AND HEADACHES water and soap to clean themselves the day and night and to hygienically and soiled materials. dispose of menstrual waste. ARE COMMON BEFORE AND DURING A PERIOD. .