Many girls suffer from pre-menstrual syndrome, yet feel shy if their mothers or sisters know of the onset of their period and the pain that accompanies it. The reaction of each girl to her first menstruation differs according to the amount of knowledge she has regarding it beforehand. So, what are these reactions and how can she overcome menstrual problems?
Irregularity in periods
Eighteen-year-old S. ‘Abdul-‘Atheem, says, “I was not surprised by menstruation as I had an inkling of it from my friends. However, [when it occurred], for four months, it was irregular and accompanied by severe pain in my lower abdomen, back and left leg. It only became regulated three months ago.”
Fear
S. ‘Abdullaah, who is seventeen years old, says, “My menstruation started when I was in second preparatory. I was baffled to find a stain of blood on my clothes; when my father asked me about it, I rushed to my room and burst into tears. I did not know anything about menstruation until my mother put me at ease.”
In contrast, M. Ahmad says, “I was not surprised when my period started as I used to hear my elder sisters subtly mentioning it. So, when I did start to menstruate, I did not even tell anybody for four months, until my elder sister came to know by accident. I would feel embarrassed if anyone knew about it, especially during [my missed days of fasting in] Ramadan.”
Dr. Nihaal Mohammad Badee’, a gynecologist, states that some physical changes that accompany menstruation include lethargy, an inclination to excessive sleep, digestive disorders and psychological stress. During this phase, girls may feel shy, reclusive and fearful of people knowing of her menstruation from a spot of blood on their clothes, perhaps.
Characteristics of menstruation
The average duration of menstruation is three to eight days. During this period, girls may feel the need to change their clothes twice or thrice a day. It comes only once every month, starting off as irregular, which may annoy some people but is natural. However, if this irregularity lasts more than two years, there is a need to go to the doctor.
The mother’s role and the girl’s nutrition:
Dr. Badee’ adds: “[Before] menstruation starts, the girl starts to gradually change. The mother should observe these developments and begin treating her daughter as an adult. Moreover, she must draw closer to her [during this time], making her understand the changes that are happening to her so that it would not become frightening when she actually starts to menstruate. The mother should also teach her daughter on how to deal with her menses. She should take good care of her nutrition by giving her food that contains vitamins and iron, like fresh vegetables, especially carrot and watercress, and honey which is curative for all people. Also, the girl should consume all kinds of fresh fruit and drink a lot of milk. The mother should also teach her daughter rulings regarding prayer, fasting and other matters that apply during her menstruation.”