Top 10 Periods Tips

Learn essential tips to manage menstruation effectively, easing discomfort and stress for teens during their periods.

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  • Suitable for members aged 12-17
  • 4 minute read
  • 795 words (2 sides of A4)
  • Providing help and guidance on Body & Fitness
  • Created and reviewed by our team of experts

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For many teens, managing menstruation can be a real challenge. It's a natural part of growing up, but it often comes with a range of emotional and physical hurdles. However, knowing the right tips and tricks can make this monthly visitor much easier to handle. Here are the top 10 period tips that can help make your menstruation a bit more manageable.

1. Track Your Cycle

One of the most useful things you can do is to start tracking your menstrual cycle. This will help you anticipate when your period is going to start, allowing you to prepare in advance. There are plenty of apps available that can help you track your cycle and even predict your next period based on past patterns.

2. Be Prepared

Always have your period supplies ready. This means keeping a small stash of pads, tampons, or menstrual cups at home, in your school locker, and in your bag. Getting caught off-guard can be stressful, and being prepared will definitely ease some of that stress.

3. Wear Comfortable Clothes

During your period, comfort is key. Tight clothing can exacerbate cramps and make you feel more uncomfortable. Opt for loose-fitting dresses, skirts, or comfortable trousers and breathable fabrics. Many teens also prefer wearing darker colours to avoid any visible stains in case of leaks.

4. Manage Cramps Effectively

Cramps can be one of the toughest parts of dealing with periods. To ease menstrual cramps, you can try several things:

Top 10 Periods Tips
  • Use a heating pad on your lower abdomen or back.
  • Stay hydrated as dehydration can worsen cramps.
  • Exercise lightly, which can help release endorphins and reduce pain.
  • Consider over-the-counter pain relief, such as ibuprofen or paracetamol, after consulting with an adult or healthcare provider.

5. Maintain a Healthy Diet

Eating a balanced diet is important, especially during your period. Iron-rich foods are particularly good since menstruation involves blood loss. Include foods like spinach, lentils, and red meat in your diet. Also, potassium-rich foods like bananas can help reduce cramps.

6. Get Plenty of Rest

Lack of sleep can make period symptoms worse. Make sure to get enough rest during your period, as this helps your body to heal and restore itself. Try to stick to a regular sleep schedule, even on weekends.

7. Use Proper Sanitation

Changing your sanitary products regularly is crucial. It's recommended to change pads every 4-6 hours and tampons every 4-8 hours to prevent leakage and reduce the risk of infection, such as Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS).

8. Stay Hydrated

Drinking plenty of water is always important, but even more so during your period. Staying hydrated helps to avoid bloating and the feeling of fullness that can come with menstruation. It also helps in maintaining a healthier cycle overall.

9. Find Emotional Support

Periods can be emotionally taxing. It's okay to feel more sensitive or irritable during this time. Talk to friends, family, or a trusted adult about how you're feeling. Sometimes, just talking about it can make a big difference in how you feel.

10. Educate Yourself

Understanding what's happening in your body can make dealing with periods much less daunting. Use reliable sources to learn about menstrual health. Knowledge is power, and understanding your body's rhythms can help you cope better with its changes

Having a period is a natural process, but it can sometimes feel overwhelming. Implementing these tips can help alleviate some of the discomfort, anxiety, and unpredictability associated with menstruation. Remember, every young person's body is different, and it may take some time and experimentation to find out what works best for you. Importantly, if your periods are causing significant pain or if something just doesn't feel right, it's crucial to talk to a healthcare provider.

How are you feeling?

It is really important that when we need help, we feel able to ask for it. This could be speaking to a parent, a close friend, a teacher or someone else you trust. Sometimes it can be really hard to share our feelings with other people but if we are feeling low or don't know where to turn, sharing with others is really important. Teachers will always take you seriously and listen to your problems in confidence if you approach them for help. Likewise, parents, siblings or friends will help you if you reach out to them.

If you feel like you can't speak to anyone you know, there are people and organisations that can help support you:

  • Childline - Call them on 0800 1111 any time of the day or night, every day of the week
  • NSPCC - Call them on 0808 800 5000 between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday or email them on help@NSPCC.org.uk
  • The Samaritans – Call them on 116 123 any time of the day or night, every day of the week
  • SANE – Call 0300 304 7000 for support (4:30pm - 10:30pm every day)
  • Mind – Call 0300 123 3393 (9:00am - 6:00pm Monday to Friday)

*Sometimes we will use real life examples in our articles to aid understanding. When we do, names and ages will be changed.