At what age should girls be told about menstruation?

Answer 1

Around age 10.....5th grade.
This should be a couple of years before they are likely to start so that they won't be surprised too much when it happens.

EDITED TO ADD:
I should probably add that my girls (3.5 and 5.5 years) and my son (7.5 years) also know a little about it since they see me dealing with it and I am very open about it. I'm talking about that around age 10 I would go into more detail with them about it. Right now they know Mommy has blood come out of her vagina once a month and that she uses special pads and stuff to catch it. They've been told that it is my body cleaning itself out because it didn't make a baby that month. Around age 10 they'll probably be ready for more details than that.

Answer 2

I've been telling my daughters about menstruation ever since they were old enough to notice mummy using her special 'nappies' (when they were smaller, sanitary pads when they were old enough to understand). This way they grow up seeing this as a perfectly natural process, a physical part of being a woman, like breasts or a vagina or wide hips. They do not view this as something somehow dirty or impure.

Noone ever told me about my moontime and when they started I thought I was dying, since internal bleeding is obviously serious. It took ages for my teacher (my parents NEVER spoke to me about this even after the fact) to calm me down and convince me it was normal, and it was she who bought my first pads. I was nine.

I definitely don't want my kids to go through this.

As far as I am concerned, it is never too early to explain these things, though really young children may need a watered down version.

EG- My 3 yr old is simply told that sometimes mummy bleeds and I need to use a special nappy at this time.

My 5 yr old is told that mummies have a special little cave in their tummy and that every month the Mother (Christians could say God) makes a layer of blood on the walls of the cave. This makes the cave nice and snug and warm just in case a baby starts. If a baby doesn't start, the blood comes out of the cave through the vagina so a nice clean blanket of blood can be made next time.

My 9 yr old has been told since the age of seven the full mechanics of menstruation and conception, and last year we bought her a packet of pads to keep in her cupboard "just in case'.

In the end it is up to each individual parent when to explain these things but it is best not to leave it until it is too late.

Please forgive the length of my reply.

Answer 3

Girls are getting their periods earlier than ever before - at 9 or 10. Hopefully, you've already had the birds and the bees talk at 6 or so, explaining according to age, and answering questions honestly. So I really think that by 8, grade 3, it's time to start telling girls about menstruation. Most kids, both boys and girls, know about their moms, anyway.

Answer 4

Well, being that it comes earlier and earlier these days, probably the sooner the better, but within reason. My daughter is 8 and she knows a little about it. I'll probably go into more depth closer to her 9th birthday. I have a friend who's daughter started at 10 years old, while she was at her dad's house and she knew nothing about what was happening to her. Scared her to death, and dad was beside himself. Can you imagine going to the bathroom and seeing blood and not having any idea why you would be bleeding from there?!?!

Answer 5

Since many girls are starting puberty earlier than in past generations, 8 or 9 would be the ideal age to begin explaining the changes that are or are about to take place in their body. There are many books about puberty that can help make it less embarrassing if they want to know more later.

Answer 6

I was in the fourth grade when I was first told about it and I started when I was in the 6th grade. So, I'd say probably about 4th or 5th grade. It really depends on how quickly the girl is matureing and when the mother began because it is very likely she will start around the same age that her mother did.

Answer 7

I started at age 12 and that's when I was told. I wish someone would have told me sooner so I could have been prepared a little. I have a niece that is 11 and she has been told in preparation.

Answer 8

I think when they first start asking about it. Most girls are oblivious until age 8 or so. Then they get curious and start asking questions. It's a normal biological function and there is nothing to be embarassed about. It is not "dirty" and by keeping it hush-hush makes it seem shameful. When she asks, answer in honesty.

Answer 9

My mom told me when I was about 9 years old. She explained it in a way that wasn't intimidating or 'scary' to me. It also helped that she bought me some books on puberty which helped explain things to me that I may have been too embarassed to ask her myself at the time. Hope this helps

Answer 10

how old were you when you started your period because you will find that your daughter may start hers at the same age. I would say at arounf the age of 11 or 12 though.