Let's talk about it podcast: How to talk to your daughter about periods 
Let's talk about it podcast: How to talk to your daughter about periods
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Welcome to the Let's Talk About It Podcast
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brought to you by Laha
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Laha is an open online platform where women and girls can get information about
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their health, well-being, and safety.
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Please remember, all content provided on the platform is based on scientific knowledge
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for educational purposes only
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It is not intended to be a substitute
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for professional medical advice or treatment
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My name is Mariam, and today we're diving into a topic
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that's a big part of every girls' journey
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getting your period
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Periods, also called menstruation come with big changes for a girl
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in terms of her body, her emotions and in some cultures
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how she is viewed in her family and community
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How a girl feels about her period is often influenced by how others talk about it
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and respond when she gets it
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As a mother who went through this experience
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you may have a lot of different feelings about the memory of getting your period
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and what it meant for you and your life
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You may remember how your mother sisters,aunties talked about periods
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and how they responded when you first got yours
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Maybe this was a good experienceor maybe it was not
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or maybe no one talked to you about it and you were left to figure it out on your own
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Whatever your experience was
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you're here because you want your daughter to have a good experience
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Having a conversation with your daughter about her period
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can help prepare her and shape how she feels about it
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You have an important opportunity to lessen any shame
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or embarrassment your daughter may feel about getting her period
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You can do this by using accurate but simple explanations
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using a positive view, and staying open and curious about your daughter's questions
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Your words and your tone will really matter
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Doing all of this can help your daughter to feel more comfortable, confident
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less worried and scared, and maybe even appreciate her period
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How a girl feels about her period is also related
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to how she feels about her body overall
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especially during puberty
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So you are also helping your daughter
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longer term to have a positive relationship with her body
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Now that we are all set, let's dive into a real conversation
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between a mom and her daughter
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Listening to how they talk about periods
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can give you some ideas on how to approach this topic
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with your own daughter
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or if you're the one with questions
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it might help youunderstand things a little better
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Let's start
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Mom:
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Hey, dear
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Can we have a little chat?
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There's something really important I want to talk to you about
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Daughter:
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Sure, Mom What's up?
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Mom:
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Have you heard of something called a period?
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Daughter:
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Yeah, I think so Isn't that when girls bleed?
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Mom:
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Exactly
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Getting your period is a normal part of growing up
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and it's actually a sign
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that your body is healthy and working just as it should
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It might sound a bit scary
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but it's nothing to be afraid of
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Want me to explain a bit more?
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Daughter:
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Yeah, I guess so
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Why does it happen?
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Mom:
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Great question
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So your period is part of something called the menstrual cycle
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It's how women's bodies naturally prepare for pregnancy
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But that doesn't mean you're going to have a baby
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It just means your body is capable of it
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Daughter:
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Oh, I see
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So what exactly happens?
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Mom:
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Well
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inside your body, you have two important parts
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called ovaries and the uterus.
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Every month, your ovaries release an egg, which is one of the parts needed to make a baby
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At the same time, your uterus starts to get thicker
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kind of like making a cozy bed in case a baby is going to grow there
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Daughter:
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But what if there's no baby?
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Mom:
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Good question.
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If there's no baby, your body doesn't need that extra padding in your uterus
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so it releases it, and that comes out as blood through your vagina
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That's what a period is, just your body's way of staying balanced and healthy
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Pretty amazing, right?
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Daughter:
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Yeah, it is, but like
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what do I do when it happens?
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Mom:
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There are a lot of ways to manage the blood that comes out
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There are things called pads, tampons, cups
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and even special underwear
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When the time comes I'll show you how to use them
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and you can decide what feels right for you
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Daughter:
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Okay, that sounds good
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Mom:
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I know it's a lot to take in.
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Just remember, your period is a normal and healthy part of growing up
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It means your body is working as it should
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Do you have any other questions about it?
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Daughter:
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Yeah
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Why doesn't everyone have a period?
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Like, my brother doesn't
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Mom:
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Another great question
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Periods are part of female anatomy
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so only people with certain body parts
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like a uterus, get periods
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That's why your brother doesn't have one
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Daughter:
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Got it. When will I get mine?
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Mom:
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Some girls get their period as early as 9 or 10
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and others might get it later, around 14 or 15
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There's no right age.
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It's different for everyone.
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Daughter:
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How long does it last?
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Mom:
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It can vary.
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Some girls' periods just last a few days
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while others might have it for a week.
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It might be shorter some months and longer in others as your body adjusts.
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Daughter:
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does it hurt?
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Mom:
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sometimes you might feel cramps or aches in your lower belly or back
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before or during your period
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Some girls feel a little nauseous, too
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But if it ever gets too uncomfortable
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you can always talk to me and we'll figure it out together.
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Daughter:
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How much blood comes out?
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Mom:
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Every person's period is different.
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Some bleed more, some less.
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It might be lighter some months and heavier others
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especially when you first start
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You all get to know your body, and ifyou ever feel worried, just let me know.
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Daughter:
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Mmm, Are there things I can't do when I have my period?
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Mom:
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Generally, you can do most of the things you usually do.
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Sometimes you might feel a bit more tired or have some cramps
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So, you might not feel like doing everything
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Depending on what you use to absorb the blood
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like if you're using pads, you might not want to swim.
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But otherwise, your period shouldn't stop you from doing the things you love.
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Daughter:
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That's good to know.
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Mom:
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One last thing.
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Sometimes when we talk about periods, you may then also have more questions
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about pregnancy and how babies are made
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If you ever have questions about that and want to talk about it
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don't hesitate to ask
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Daughter:
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Okay.Thanks, Mom.
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This was really helpful.
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Mom:
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I'm glad we talked.
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Remember, I'm always here if you have any more questions, and no question you ask
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is stupid or silly or embarrassing.
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You're growing up, and that's something to celebrate.
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Remember, these kinds of conversations can feel overwhelming or scary
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for both you and your daughter.
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Try to approach them as an opportunity for connection
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and to deepen your relationship long term
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It may feel uncomfortable for both of you, but by doing are showing your daughter
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that you can sit with her in discomfort
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that you are a source of important information for her
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and that she can come to you when she has questions or concerns
