The first period deserves a celebration. Understand the importance of the menarche ritual
Doctor’s opinion
Kamila Černá in her diploma thesis entitled Young women’s awareness of menstruation mentions the words of Dr. J. Hořejší: “I consider it very important that every girl be taught about menstruation before the first period (menarche) appears.” The lesson must be such that the girl expects menstruation as a natural phenomenon in her adolescence, in fact as proof that her reproductive system has already matured and is in order, and to know that menstruation will accompany her from the first bleeding for the next 35 gross years. “
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What information to pass on to girls
According to the author of the work, you need to think about your words in advance and not to scare the young girl too much when communicating new information, but at the same time, tell her what the menstrual cycle is, how often it recurs, when menstrual bleeding occurs and how long it lasts, and mention and menstrual hygiene. First of all, how to perform it, how the girl recognizes that the pad or tampon needs to be changed and to point out that blood can stain clothing.
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The author of the thesis also provides that the girl should hear information about the fact that the menstrual cycle sometimes hurts, but that the pain can be alleviated with medication or other procedures. Not only because of the threat of endometriosis, but the girl should also be informed that if the pain is unbearable, she needs to see a gynecologist. Gynecological examinations should then be a separate topic.
Menarche as a cause for celebration
According to the author of the diploma thesis, the word menarche is not used so often today, because it has long been no longer associated with any, or only negligible, traditions. while it is first menstruation for every girl very important events that will change her life for the next 35 to 40 years. However, the author does not talk about a lavish ritual in which all women in the family should participate. But he talks about how to prepare a girl for her first period and how to behave when that day comes. For example, you mention the sentence: “Aha! You’re a big girl now. You can find the pads in the toilet.”
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On the other hand, the girl should be told that a period has begun that will affect several decades of her life and help her find and create the right relationship with her own body and understand what is happening in it. At the same time, learn to perceive the girl and accept a situation that may not always be pleasant.
Historical rituals
The period of sexual maturity was previously associated with so-called rites of passage, which were created to guide a girl through the transition from one stage of life to another and another social position.
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Nowadays, however, it is not celebrated as much, because there is no significant change in the condition of the girl even during the period of the first periods. According to the author, several more years have to pass to reach social maturity and material security, and for a girl, the first menstruation does not change more or less anything in her social status.
The first period deserves a celebration.
How to “celebrate” menarche today
There is no need for lavish and mechanical celebrations. It is enough to consider menarche as an important milestone in the life of young girls who become an “adult” woman with their first period, and above all to communicate the situation appropriately with her. The celebration should always be such that it pleases the teenage girl and does not cause her trauma.
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According to the author of the diploma thesis, it is good to please a girl with a gift (for example, an object that is inherited by a woman), go with the girl to choose a new piece of clothing, go to the cinema together, to a favorite, have a “girl’s day” or, for example, play an advertisement on inserts, buy material, blue liquid and start researching.
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If the girl wishes, you can organize a party with other women in your family and talk together about everything that will interest the teenage girl. Of course, the celebration doesn’t have to take place on the first day the girl starts bleeding. And it shouldn’t happen at all if it makes the girl uncomfortable. In that case, it is enough to chat with the girl alone and only answer the questions that interest her. There are also publications that give advice to girls who are too stylish to ask adults.