Content

• Steps
• Tips
• Warnings

The signs of your first period (menarche) may appear much earlier; it is a change in your mood, a more abundant discharge (panty liners are better for absorbing it!), even pain, and there is no way to know for sure when your first period will start. On average, girls start their first menstruation at the age of 10 to 16 years, if you are just this age, it will not hurt you to have a kit containing materials for the beginning of the first menstruation; wear it just in case you are away from home.

Here's a sample set of what you need to have with you.

Steps

1. 1 Take a cosmetic bag. You need something that you can wear your kit in. The pouch is perfect as it has a zip and is small enough to fit in a bag but large enough for your components. Take whatever you like, it can be elegant or simple, "pretend" to be the most ordinary cosmetic bag or, if you dare, you can make the inscription "Set for menstruation" in large letters on the side - you decide.
2. 2 Sanitary towels or panty liners. Put pads and panty liners into the kit. Since your first period is likely to be mild, you may only need daily sanitary pads, but play it safe and stock up on more absorbent pads. If you want to use (or at least try) cloth pads during your first period, use the same amount of cloth pads as you would regular disposable pads. You can first search for cheaper brands in beauty or online retailers to compare different types of pads and save money. Change your pads every 4-6 hours, so put enough pads in the kit for the day: 2-3 daily sanitary pads and 2-3 menstrual pads.
3. 3 Tampons. It's best not to carry tampons in your kit, as your first period is likely to be too light for tampons. In addition, you do not know in advance the intensity of the bleeding and cannot determine which remedy is best for you. If you do use tampons remember to change them every 4-6 hours and alternate with pads, so pack 1-2 light absorbency tampons, 1-2 stronger absorbency tampons and 2 regular pads.
4. 4 Menstrual cups (reusable or disposable). The cups fit inside like tampons, but are safe to use during the first menstrual period and at any flow rate. Unlike tampons, the bowls can be worn for 12 hours, so there is no need to stock up on them and they don't leak like other options. The cup can also be used before your period, so when the time is right, you won't need the kit. Disposable soft cups are similar to reusable cups so they offer the same convenience benefits, but they can be more difficult to use. They can also be used for 12 hours, so one cup is enough for a full day away from home, but for added durability it is a good idea to have multiple pads as well.
5. 5 Money in reserve. Just in case you do not have enough hygiene products with you, have money with you to buy everything you need at the nearest supermarket, cosmetics store or pharmacy.
6. 6 Spare linen. Anything can happen, so it's a good idea to put extra panties in your kit. You want clean, simple and comfortable panties, but you probably shouldn't choose white! If an "accident" has occurred, hide the soiled panties in your cosmetic bag (it is better to first wrap them in a small bag), and then, when you come home, rinse them thoroughly in cold water and dampen the stain with hydrogen peroxide to get rid of it and not stain other things.
7. 7 Bags for used items. Disposable panty liners, panty liners, tampons, and disposable bowls are indelible - most public toilets have waste bins for used hygiene items, but sometimes they don't, or if you're visiting, you might feel embarrassed to throw such an intimate item in the trash. Therefore, disposable bags are a good idea for stacking used sanitary products. If you are using reusable sanitary items such as cloth pads, a small plastic zippered cosmetic bag or a sturdy zip bag will work best for your used items.
8. 8 Pain relievers. Seizures can be prevented, however, until you know how to deal with seizures, take NSAIDs like aspirin and ibuprofen with you, you only need 2-4. You can also use clary sage oil by rubbing it into your lower belly, and raspberry leaf tea works well, so maybe toss a few tea bags in your kit when you're away from home. Small heat packs are also great for relieving menstrual pain, as is a sheet with instructions on which points to stimulate to relieve pain.
9. 9 Body spray. Menstruation is not a messy business, but menstruation does smell and may smell bad depending on what sanitary products you use and how often you change, so using a good perfume or body spray after using the toilet. you may feel more secure, remember, do not use them on the genitals.
10. 10 Napkins and handkerchiefs. Do not use baby wipes, hand wipes, or even so-called female wipes on your genitals, as this can cause irritation and infection, but regular wipes are useful in case excess blood gets on your hands. So, handkerchiefs are good to have on hand for cleaning after leaks, or in case there is no toilet paper in the toilet.
11. 11 Calendar and Notepad. Your first period is a big deal, even if you are not celebrating it, you write the date on the calendar and let some adult know about it ... some girls feel more comfortable doing it through notes than directly. Your periods average every 28 days, although it happens differently for everyone, and your periods may be irregular for the first few years, it's a good idea to mark them on your calendar so you have a better idea of ​​when they might. start next. You can also get your hands on date tracking apps on your phone if you'd rather save space in your bag.
12. 12 Something good. Some girls' parents give them special gifts to celebrate menarche or books about it, you can also talk to your parents about what you might like, or if you want a book that will help you understand your menstrual cycles better.Maybe you want to celebrate this day with something good, or maybe you are looking forward to your first period to eat the chocolate bar that is stored in your bag for this occasion - in any case, your first period kit does not everything should be functional only.

Tips

• If you are at school and do not have a kit with you, just ask the school nurse. Most likely, it will be a girl, and perhaps your periods coincide. If this is a man he will not judge, so do not be nervous.
• Remember that menstruation is not something shameful or embarrassing, keep all the means away from prying eyes, but I don't think that this is the end of the world, if someone notices your kit during the period, it just shows that you are enough are mature enough to be ready for it, so just say “So what?” and be as usual.
• If you are at school when your period starts and you can't find the right stuff, you can always ask a friend or teacher you trust. Most school clinics have additional supplies if you need them. Never be embarrassed.
• Your period will be the way you make it, good or bad, there is nothing that you cannot do, any negative moments during your period can be prevented, there are also many positive moments - do not let other girls / women influence your attitude to menstruation.
• If your period starts and you don't have your kit, ask a friend or another woman for a pad, go to a store or vending machine, or use folded toilet paper in your underwear.
• Carry extra pants with you.
• Read a good book on menstruation and female physiology to get ready in advance.

Warnings

• Keep most of your kits at home in your room or in a well-ventilated bathroom, and just carry the right amount of kit with you if you are away from home.
• If your friends usually rummage through your bag, now is the time to set some boundaries so that they don't find the kit when they look around your belongings.
• Remember that tampons are not a good idea, at least not for your first six cycles, it is ideal to use pads or safer options such as menstrual cups.