Encyclopedia for Girls - (Illustrated Collector's Edition)

Author: Shi Xiaona / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-08-01
Features: When a little girl enters puberty, she is like a bud waiting to bloom. As spring arrives, she quickly unfolds her beautiful petals, releasing a fragrant scent! However, joyful growth often comes with a period of painful struggle. Just as beauty demands a price, entering puberty is no exception. When you step into this phase, one of the primary sexual characteristics of a girl—the ovaries—begin to function. Their main activity is to develop and mature an egg every 28 days. In other words, the ovaries have a 28-day cycle, releasing one egg each time. When the egg matures and sheds, it results in menstruation. This also means that your reproductive organs have matured, giving you the ability to become pregnant.
The age of your first menstrual period is often related to family genetics. If your mother had her period at a young age, you might too. However, generally speaking, girls around the age of 12 or 13 will experience their first menstrual period. When it happens for the first time, a little girl might feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do. Here are some basic facts to help you.
Having a menstrual period is a natural part of growing up. It means you have physically developed into a mature woman capable of reproduction. Therefore, it is something to be happy about. At first, it may bring some mild discomfort and low emotions. During this time, you might want to talk with your mother or close friends. You can ask them if they felt the same way when they first got their period. If you are confident, you can discuss it with classmates to see how many of them have also started menstruating. Then, you can share and compare your experiences.
Friends' honest and unembarrassed attitudes often help you overcome any awkwardness. This way, you can accept menstruation as a correct and natural part of life and view it as an integral part of a woman's journey.
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