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Menarche, as we know, is the beginning or the onset of the menstrual function in a girl. This period in the life of every growing girl is a memorable one. To the mother, it heralds a sense of fulfillment's as the woman heaves a sigh of relief as if to exclaim “thank God my child has blossomed into a healthy young woman.” This is so because a child who by all physical attributes is considered a female, could only be considered a woman the moment she starts having her menstrual flow, for that is a natural confirmation of her womanhood.
To the girl in question, the period remains memorable too because it is from the she starts counting herself among the mature adults. She also considers herself a full-fledged woman even as some feminine developments begin to become noticeable than ever.
Menarche can be a stressful time for these young ones and the event is often met with mixed emotions.
Like many other features associated with puberty, it can be confusing. Many girls experience fear and anxiety largely because of either outright lack of information or misinformation. It is therefore to forestall or checkmate this fear and anxieties that much emphasis are placed on the need to reach out to these young ones early in life.
Without mincing words, this among other reasons, informed the introduction of sex education even in our institutions of learning, especially at the secondary school level to get these young ones fully informed about what to expect at what point in life concerning their sex life.
Believe it or not, girls who are prepared for menarche often have a more positive initial experience with menstruation, contrary to the experience of the uninformed, which leaves an indelible memory of embarrassment in the hearts of the victims.
Some of the most negative reports about first menstrual experience are gotten from young girls without previous or prior education about menstruation or menarche. From this set of people, you hear words like “panic, traumatic, embarrassed and scared.”
The sight of blood generally frightens people since bleeding is associated with pain or injury, let alone when it is observed from a place one originally did not have any injury.
Of course, we do not rule out the fact that some cultural barriers may be militating against the much taunted effort at educating the girl child before she experiences her first menstrual flow.
Cultural stereotypes, myths or even plain ignorance can cause one to wrongly associate menstruation with disease or injury or to view it as something to be ashamed of.
Your daughter needs to know that menstrual bleeding is a normal process that all healthy girls go through. As a parent, you can help her allay any feelings of anxiety or fear. You may ask in which way can this be made possible?
There are many sources of information on menstruation, such as the school teachers, health care practitioners, printed materials etc.
From time to time, responsible mother ought to pick some printed health materials off the books shelves to the daughter(s) for her education. Many mothers who have exploited this avenue, confessed it provides valuable information on the biology of menstruation as well as menstrual hygiene.
This however, could take care of the theoretical aspect, the practical still lies with the mothers because most girls, even when they are well informed of what and how to do when it comes, would rely on their mothers to tackle the varied emotions and feelings associated with menstruation.
Very important still, there is no one age that mothers could start talking about menarche to there daughters No! This is so because different girls experience this life phenomenon at different ages. However, from age eleven, it is advisable that mothers start mentioning it to them, don’t say she is still under age for delay could be dangerous.
In the first place, you can start by finding out what she already knows. Where she is being misinformed, clear up the misconceptions.
Let her know how it happened to you during your time.
Offer practical information on what to do should it comes out when and where mum is not around.
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Adeshola
Adeshola Komolafe
Founder/Researcher
SAVE OUR FUTURE
Abuja
Nigeria
www.desholakomolafe.com
Email: adesholakomolafe@yahoo.com
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