Specialist obstetricians and gynecologists, emphasizing that having a period is a natural part of girls’ growth, say that many girls experience their first period with fear and anxiety because of a lack of awareness and the existence of misconceptions in society. They say that providing timely information about the physical and emotional changes of puberty can help girls go through this stage with greater peace of mind.
Zarghona Muhabbat, an obstetrician and gynecologist, says families, especially mothers, should inform girls about the physical changes of puberty and personal hygiene before they reach puberty and provide them with the necessary guidance.
“Having a period is a natural and normal thing and is not related to illness. When a girl reaches the age of nine, she should be given information about periods and the changes that occur during puberty so that she does not become frightened or worried when she has her first period,” she says.
Tooba Mohebi, a psychologist, says girls may experience feelings such as fear, anxiety, embarrassment, and confusion when they have their first period. She says that providing information about this can help girls go through this stage with less emotional stress.
“Girls experience different emotions when they have their first period. Some feel happy because they have entered a new stage of growth, but many also feel worried, confused, or even frightened, especially if they have not received enough information about periods beforehand. The way families respond and the girl’s level of awareness play an important role in shaping these feelings,” she says.
A number of mothers say that, because of common traditions, they have not talked to their daughters about periods. This has caused their daughters to experience their first period with fear, anxiety, and confusion.
Fatima, a 45-year-old mother of four children, says her daughter was very frightened when she had her first period.
“One day, my daughter came home from school crying. She thought something serious had happened to her. When I explained that having a period was a natural process, she calmed down. But she asked me why I had not told her about it before. That question was very difficult for me, and I regretted not telling her earlier,” she says.
Nahid, a 42-year-old mother of three children, says that because of embarrassment and common family traditions, she had never talked to her daughter about periods.
“When my daughter came home, she was very anxious. She said she had noticed bleeding at school but did not know what to do. She spent the whole day worried that her classmates might notice. After that, I explained that having a period was a natural process and guided her on what to do,” she adds.
Meanwhile, a number of girls say that their first period was accompanied by a lack of awareness, fear of bleeding, and not knowing how to manage the situation, causing them to experience anxiety and confusion.
Maryam, a 17-year-old girl says she had no information about periods before having her first period. She explains,
“I was at school that day and felt very embarrassed. When I came home, I was crying. When I told my mother, she explained that having a period was a natural process and that all girls experience it. But no one had told me about it before. I was very frightened when it happened for the first time.”
Freshta, a 16-year-old girl, says that not having information about periods before her first period directly caused her fear, anxiety, and confusion.
“I did not know what a period was at all. When it happened to me, I was very frightened and even thought that I had been injured. I did not tell anyone for several hours. Then I told my sister, and she explained that having a period was a natural stage of growing up. Her words calmed me and reduced my anxiety,” she says.
Somaya, a 15-year-old says her mother had talked to her about periods before she had her first period.
“My mother had talked to me about periods and told me that having a period was a natural part of growing up for girls. That is why I was not very frightened when I had my first period. I was only a little concerned because I knew what was happening. Still, I had a strange feeling and felt worried.”
Having a period is a natural sign of growth and puberty in girls. Despite being a normal part of growing up, a lack of awareness, mothers’ lack of attention, and some social misconceptions cause many girls to experience their first period with embarrassment and concern. Health and psychological experts emphasize that providing timely information and creating an appropriate environment for discussing periods can play an important role in protecting girls’ physical and psychological well-being during this sensitive stage.
Reporter: Maryam Moqadas
