As a late bloomer (later than pretty much all my friends), I was more than “prepared” for my first period. Having a great relationship with my mom and 2 older sisters, I knew what to look for when my monthly visitor arrived. Though my period arrived later for me than my friends I very much appreciated that. While friends were changing tampons or sanitary napkins, I was still riding bikes and having fun. Not to say your period should end your childhood, it just changes the dynamic. Fortunately I learned from friends, mom & sisters, so when my menstrual cycle finally arrived, I was ready.

Know what to look for, ask your mom or sisters and do not be shy or embarrassed when it arrives. It is completely natural. Moms please talk with your daughters and leave that door open. So whether it is period talk, boy talk, physical (body) changes or problems at school, let them know that no matter what, you are there for them! Be the friend you always wished you had.

By Vanessa Scott

 

Click Here, to share your first period story with us!

Comments Off on Prepared & Waiting for Period #1 | Leave a Comment - We'd love to hear from you!

Is anything more stressful than worrying about the possibility of a leak?  How can anyone focus on learning in class, performing on the field, or talking to your friends when a leak could happen at any time?

Whether you are getting ready for your first period, have had your period a few times, or have been menstruating for years the following tips will help you wave goodbye to leaks.

1)   Know Your Flow.  Be extra prepared on your heaviest days then relax once they have passed. (Not sure how to measure your flow – check out our Know Your Flow Infographic to decipher your level of flow.)

2)   In Your Hands.  Put your supplies in your purse, backpack or whatever you will carry in your hands into the bathroom.  Think about what you will probably need then add one or two more.

3)   Be on Time.  Plan to visit the restroom to change (or at least check) regularly.  Always set the time between breaks to be a little less than you think you need based on that day’s flow (and never skip a planned visit).

4)   Get Dark.  Of course you can’t see very well when it gets dark outside.  Dark colors do an amazing job of hiding any evidence of leaks.

5)   More is Merrier.  Layers are a fashion statement and so much more.  No one else will ever see if you leak on anything other than your outermost layer of clothing.

READ MORE… »

8 Comments | Leave a Comment - We'd love to hear from you!

I wanted to get my period so bad. Like all girls, I wondered when it would make it’s appearance. I was crazy enough to get into my moms stash of tampons (super plus ones ouch!) and practicing putting them in before my period ever began. I read the American Girl book, The Care and Keeping of YOU, over about a hundred times. I was so ready.

It was January 1, 2002 and I was turning 13 in a month. I was home alone, not at school because it was winter break. I was in my room organizing stuff when I felt an unusual wetness. I reached my hand down my pants to investigate. My fingers came back reddish brown color. My heart raced. I was so excited my period had come and greatly relieved it happened while I was home. I ran to the bathroom to wipe to make sure what I saw on my fingers really was what I thought it was. READ MORE… »

Comments Off on Very Simple and Easy Experience | Leave a Comment - We'd love to hear from you!

My first period was never anything special. I was just an 11 year old girl and it was just a spot of blood on my panties about the size of a quarter. no biggie but my mom wasn’t the kind of person to talk to me about something like that.

She just tells me that its my period hands me a pad and that was it. later on down the road I started hearing about how some moms would take their daughters out to eat or take them out for a pedicure to celebrate their period but I could’t see why to celebrate.

In my family I was the only girl in the house besides mom and talking about a subject like that was a topic we didn’t speak openly about. I kind of wish we did as  I had no one to really talk to about something like that. I just tell her when I need supplies and she gets them on the shopping trips. READ MORE… »

Comments Off on My First Period – Jannie’s Story | Leave a Comment - We'd love to hear from you!

When it comes to feminine hygiene supplies, there are almost as many questions as there are products!  Since your daughter will use approximately 10,000 pads, tampons and/or panty liners in her lifetime, it is worth investing some time to learn more about her options.

The Starting Line

Some girls start menstruating at age 9 while others don’t have their first period until age 15.  Whether your daughter starts before most of her friends, along with them, or is one of the last to get her period, the odds are good that she will start with disposable pads (or a mix of disposable pads and panty liners).  Pads are practical, easy to use, and highly effective.

READ MORE… »

11 Comments | Leave a Comment - We'd love to hear from you!

I was well prepared for my first period. I don’t mean in school, although I was a good student as well. I mean that first time you menstruate. I had had sex education in fifth grade; I knew the parts and what they were supposed to do. I just had to wait until it happened. As luck would have it, I was wearing white shorts when it started. I wasn’t worried though, I was excited. I was a woman. I had supplies with me so there was just a rush to get them in place.

When I got home that day I called my mom to tell her the momentous news. Was she as excited as I was? I couldn’t really tell. READ MORE… »

Comments Off on The Most Exciting News | Leave a Comment - We'd love to hear from you!

Swimsuit Season Swimsuit season has officially arrived!  If your summer is anything like mine, you will be in the water a lot this summer. And, more than once you may find the fun in the water is planned on a day when you are menstruating. Stressful Situations When it comes to swimming or even just being in a swimsuit during your period, many girls and women worry.  We worry about so many different things, including:

– How can I make sure no one knows I am menstruating?

– What swimsuit should I wear so I don’t feel so awkward?

– What if I have a wardrobe malfunction and people see my tampon string?

– Where is the closest bathroom and how can I escape there without being noticed?

– Who do I really want to share this part of my life with?

If you are a tween or a teen this is especially challenging.  Everyone has expectations of what you should be doing.  People know you love the water, but you may not want everyone to know when you are on your period (much less what feminine hygiene products you use or what products you are not comfy even trying). READ MORE… »

Comments Off on Swimming During My Period?!?! | Leave a Comment - We'd love to hear from you!

We are so excited to have pelvic pain specialist, Jessica Drummond with The Integrative Pelvic Health Institute joining us for our next tweet chat (11am PST / 2pm ET April 12, 2013) we are celebrating with another giveaway!! She’ll be explaining what pelvic pain is, and what can be done about it in this informative and fun chat.

Cramp-Care-Heat-PackTo promote the tweet chat and encourage participation we are giving away our new Cramp Care Heat Pack.

The Cramp Care Heat Pack offers a convenient and effective way to relieve pelvic pain and menstrual cramps. It’s perfect size of 5×8 inches fits comfortably on the lower abdominal or back area and can be used either hot or cold.

The Cramp Care Heat Pack is made with an All Natural filling that can be heated/froze to create a heat or cold pack.

READ MORE… »

Comments Off on Cramp Care Heat Pack Giveaway! | Leave a Comment - We'd love to hear from you!

I don’t have kids but remember the 1st day of my period like it was yesterday. I was 11 and it was the first day of school…first day of 6th grade…1st day of moving from grade school to middle school. I started on the bus ride home that afternoon after school. I was a latch key kid and my mom worked full-time. I went to the bathroom…saw the “evidence” …and promptly freaked out and called my mom at work. Her boss let her come home early. She came into the house and hugged me and said thru tears “you’re a woman now!” LOL I will never forget her trying to show me how to use one of her tampons and finally giving up and going to the store down the street for some pads.

By Angela Lilly

 

Click Here, to share your first period story with us!

Comments Off on My 1st Period – Angela’s Story | Leave a Comment - We'd love to hear from you!

Join us and Women’s Health Coach, Nicole Jardim of The Healthy Elements, for this exclusive Earth Day celebration!

60-min-to-a-green-period
What is Earth Day? Earth Day is an annual day on which events (like this one) are held worldwide to demonstrate support for environmental protection.

Why should you be concerned with environmental protection? To name a few there is: our children’s future, increased waste/pollution, and global warming. But one of the best reasons is the direct effect on our health. Our bodies come into contact with chemicals and toxins daily, but do you know how they are affecting:

  • OUR lives?
  • OUR environment?
  • OUR periods?

Well, that’s exactly what will be covered in this free 60 Minutes to a “Green” Period Webinar on April 22nd.

READ MORE… »

Comments Off on Earth Day Event: 60 Minutes to a “Green” Period (Free Webinar) | Leave a Comment - We'd love to hear from you!