When a girl gets her period, it means that:

• her body has gone through a cycle in which it releases an egg and makes her able to get pregnant
• the egg that came out of her ovaries that month was not fertilized by a sperm
• the blood that was collecting in her uterus to develop a baby isn't needed anymore

The menstrual cycle

• usually starts between 8-15 years
• is approx. 28-33 days long
• begins on the first day of the period
  

Periods & Sex

Girls can do everything when they have their period.
But they may

• feel sick or tired
• choose not to

Having a period will become an issue if the female is

• fooling around without underwear
• having vaginal sex
• receiving oral sex
• being fingered or fisted in the vagina

Because

• the partner will come into contact with her blood
• blood may smear on the couch, bed, or carpet

  If you're doing one of these activities and the girl has her period

  • talk about it openly
  • decide together whether to do them anyway
  • fool around in other ways
    
    

  Remember

  • a lot of STIs are passed through blood
  • even if a girl hasn't had her first period she could still get pregnant (since she ovulates once before her first period)
  • having sex during a girl's period may not protect from pregnancy
  • never have vaginal sex while using a tampon
  • girls may find that they enjoy sexual activity more during specific times in their menstrual cycle

Periods & Health

Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) is

• a rare but serious disease (possibly life threatening)
• often associated with leaving tampons in too long
• usually experienced as fever, nausea, and a sunburn-like rash

If you think you have TSS

• immediately remove a tampon if you are using one
• tell a doctor you suspect TSS

PMS is

• a combination of symptoms some girls feel just before their period
• part of many different feelings girls may have throughout their menstrual cycle, some not-so-great and some enjoyable