It takes a different amount of time for each girl. If a girl starts later than other girls, it does not mean that her breasts will always be smaller. There is no link between what size breasts will be and when they start to develop.

This is one of the situations that all girls face at the onset of menarche. There occurs a certain type of segregation of sexes and the free mixing that was allowed earlier is not encouraged in many households. However, households with educated parents and with modern outlook seem to be changing these days. Many of these need to be negotiated at the household level and there is need to explain and ensure that these natural processes do not interfere with your continuing education or maintaining good health and hygiene practices.

Seclusion is followed by some communities to allow the girl some respite from the heavy burden of household chores. It is the period when she is given time off from her regular chores and domestic responsibilities to take rest. However, in the modern era many households have abandoned this practice. In nuclear families it is difficult to practice seclusion as one has to take care of the individual needs and cannot wait to be attended upon.

The process of menstruation itself is painless. Some girls experience cramps or other symptoms before or at the start of their period. There is no need to be scared about getting the periods. It is a completely normal process. Periods will start sooner or later. However, if a girl reaches age 16 and has not yet had her first period, she should visit a health provider/doctor.

Once a girl starts getting her period; it will probably take several months to a year for the menstrual cycle to settle into a regular pattern. During this time, 15 hormone levels change and ovulation does not necessarily occur on a regular basis. So, the interval between periods, the amount of menstrual flow, and the duration of the period are likely to vary considerably from cycle to cycle. Girls may be concerned about differences between their cycle and that of their friends. They may worry if, after their first period, they do not menstruate again for two to three months, but these are normal variations.

SMenstruation is a very normal part of every girl’s life. During your period, you can do everything you normally do, including daily bath or shower, exercising, dancing and playing sports are all fine. In fact, you will feel better by continuing your normal routine, and find that warm bath is a great way to help with any cramping you may have. This is an absolutely normal process and not an illness. It is medically safe to do anything that you normally do during menstruation

Menstruation as a regular process needs hygienic management. Girls need to change their napkins regularly during the period of menstruation especially in the first three days. This can help prevent infections. During the heaviest days of your period, you may need to change them every 3-4 hours. Given below is a pictorial representation of the normal timings to change pads.

It varies a lot. for most women, it’s around four tablespoons, but for some, it’s as much as a cup. (If you’re bleeding more than that, soaking pad after pad all day long, see your doctor.) Sometimes the blood is red, sometimes it’s brown, sometimes it’s streaky, and sometimes it’s got some darker bits in it. Variety is normal. Every girl is different.

During a period, the uterus contracts, tightening and relaxing so that the menstrual flow empties from the body. This process for some is painful. Some girls get cramps that are more severe than others. Pain relievers, exercise, a hot bath, or a heat compress can help this.Some girls have cramps during their periods. Cramps are actually uterus’ contractions. The uterus, which is like a pear-shaped muscle, helps get rid of the endometrium, or lining of the uterus. These contractions that sometimes feel like cramps are the body’s way of shedding, or getting rid the lining of the uterus, through the vagina, and out of the body, as the lining is no longer needed that cycle.

Even reusable napkins cannot be used indefinitely. These napkins/cloth pads also need to be thrown away. While reusing always ensure that the pad is clean and sun dried before use. These cloth pads also can be incinerated or disposed in a sanitary pit. It is important to remember whatever the napkin we use; we should not pollute our environment. It is also to be remembered that the garbage such napkins generate, also leads to all problems associated with solid waste management.