Q. I am 11 yrs old and have just started my periods. Is it too early for me? 
A. 11 yrs is generally not considered too early. I am sure there are classmates like you too. The worries are your height may not increase much from here. There are rare chances of having a disease inside for which you may need to see your doctor.

Q. I am 14 yrs old. Most of my classmates have started periods but I haven’t. Is something wrong with me?
A. Periods can start as late as 16years, but the other signs of maturity like breast development usually appear by then.  I am sure there are classmates who have not started their period, which does not make them abnormal. However, if you are very concerned about this delay you can visit a gynecologist and take a medical opinion after a general medical examination.

Q. How do I choose which sanitary napkin to buy?
A. There are several brands of sanitary napkins available in the market. Try the one that fits you the best, does not irritate your skin and keeps you dry. That should be the right one for you and you can find out the correct size. Make sure you keep stock as periods in your age may be irregular at times.

Q. How often should I change napkins during periods?
A. Though there is no hard and fast rule. It actually depends on the amount of bleeding and what makes you comfortable. Usually on the heavy days you may need to change pads 3-4 times in a day but for the lighter flows 1-2 may do

Q. How do I dispose sanitary napkins?
A. It is important to cover the used pads with a newspaper/plastic and dispose them in a bin. This will ensure proper removal avoiding embarrassment. It is important to remember not to flush them in the toilet as they clog the toilet

Q. What are the restrictions I need to follow during my periods?
A. Ideally you can do everything you do at other times. It will depend to some extent on how you are feeling in the days leading up to your period. Many women feel some cramps on the day of bleeding when it would be advisable to take things a little easy.

Q. Can I exercise or participate in sports during my periods?
A. With adequate protection i.e. sanitary napkins that are absorbent and do not leak you can participate in all activities during your periods.

Q. My periods always come 2-3 days later in the month. Is it fine?
A. There is no fixed duration of the length of a menstrual cycle it can vary from 21 to 35 days and usually if it comes at a fixed duration i.e. 30 – 32 days in your case that is normal for you and does not need to be viewed as something wrong.

Q. For what period problems do I need to see a doctor?
A. You need to see a doctor if you very often have grossly irregular periods like once every 2 – 3 months. Also if the bleeding is heavy and prolonged, associated with clots or painful enough to take sick leaves often, then you should see a doctor. 

Q. I am having very scanty flow during my period. Is less bleeding bad?
A. Unlike popular belief, less bleeding is not bad. It does not mean that the ‘bad’ blood is jamming up inside. Neither is it an indication that periods will end up. Low thyroid hormone levels are responsible for such a problem in a small section of people.

Q. Why do I have pain during my menses?
A. Pain during periods is usually due to the release of prostaglandins. It is commonly seen in the teenage years, which gradually disappear with age. Sometimes however when the pain increases with time or appears later in life it could be associated with certain gynecological diseases like endometriosis. As gynecologists we are indirectly assured on asking you about period-pain, that since painful periods are usually associated with ovulatory cycles you should not be having too much difficulty in bearing children once you grow up.

Q. My first day of periods is very painful, what should I do?
A. Remedies for pain during periods initially consist of a warm bath or applying local heat with a hot-water, rubber bottle, relaxation, yoga, light stretching exercises and avoiding spicy food. If these do not work and the pain interferes with daily life, painkillers/analgesics may be taken.

Q. Are taking painkillers during my periods harmful in the future?
A. Painkillers are not harmful when taken in moderation after food. Saving up a few medicines and tolerating severe pain does not make sense. There are no long-term harmful effects.

Q. I have bleeding with clots for the first two days during menses. What to do?
A. If the clots are big then there is a cause for worry. The first thing to be done is to check a hemoglobin level to find out whether the bleeding is responsible for lowering the blood levels in the body. If that is the case, you definitely need to see a doctor. Very likely medicines will be offered to reduce the bleeding and investigations would be done to find out the cause.

Q. Why do I have prolonged spotting just before periods and sometimes after?
A. Prolonged spotting i.e. very slight bleeding around the times of the periods is often due to hormonal imbalance. If responsible for lowering hemoglobin levels or causing discomfort, medical treatment may be offered.

Q. I have periods once in 2-3 months, which are usually heavy. Is it bad?
A. For the first 2 – 3 years after the periods commence there may be some irregularity. However, heavy bleeding every 2-3 months is usually suggestive of a hormonal imbalance and needs medical supervision. Please get yourself checked up by a doctor.

Q. Just before the periods my breasts become painful, what to do?
A. There are changes in the body felt by many women in the days leading up to the periods. Breast pain is just one of them. They are almost always due to hormonal effects and not due to cancer, which many women are afraid of. If the pain is severe medicines may be offered for relief. Sometimes the medicines need to be taken cyclically for a few months.

Q. I feel bloated up a week before my periods, which settles after the bleeding. Do I need to see a doctor?
A. Feeling bloated around the time of the periods is quite common. It happens most probably due to hormonal changes. The need to see a doctor depends on the degree of discomfort. Taking a salt-restricted diet, avoiding caffeine and chocolates around this time can help to some extent in reducing this discomfort.

Q. I have missed my period by a week, what should I do?
A. The first thing you should ask yourself is, could you be pregnant? Obviously that would be possible only if you have sex. Though you may be using contraception it must be realized nothing is 100% so you just cannot be sure. If you are not sexually active missing a period could be due to several reasons ranging from emotional changes to hormonal changes. If it is a one-off thing we often do not advise investigations. Medicines are usually advised to bring on the period.

Q. Periods are bothersome and messy. Why do we have to have periods?
A. Born as a female, periods are an integral part of the experience of being a woman. It marks the transition from a child to an adult. They signify your potential for childbearing, which is one of the enriching experiences of womanhood. Why think of it as messy and bothersome. Boys too have to shave everyday!!