How to talk to children about periods
We all go through puberty and the changes that come with it. But these changes can feel strange when they first happen, and girls might be nervous about their first period. Talking about periods at home can help them prepare for the changes they’ll go through. Here, I’ll look at why it’s important to talk about periods, and how you can explain them to your children.
Why should I talk to my child about periods?
As with any bodily function, talking about periods (menstruation) can feel uncomfortable. But boys and girls should learn about periods because they’re part of everyday life. If you can provide children with reliable information about periods, this can help them make informed choices about their reproductive health as they grow older.
It’s possible that your child will pick up information about periods online, from social media, from friends or at school. But this information is not always explained thoroughly, and your child might have questions.
If you can’t answer all their questions, don’t worry – there are lots of resources online. There are also books about periods and puberty for different age groups. You and your child could read these together.
At what age should I talk to my daughter about her period?
Most girls have their first period at age 12 or 13, but they can start at any time from the age of 8 until 15. By age 7, most children can understand the basic concept of periods, so this could be a good time to talk with them about it.
You might find it easier to start the conversation when your child is young and give them more information as they get older. That way your child will have a better idea of what’s going to happen to their body before they reach puberty.
Dr Zoe Williams: As a parent, talking to your children about periods is really important, but it can be quite difficult and feel daunting, especially if as a parent, you've never experienced periods yourself.
But for children, they can feel very confused or scared or even embarrassed talking about it. So it's our job as parents to make sure that we're informing them in a really open and honest way.
I'm joined today by Dr. Sam Wild, who's Bupa's Women's Health Clinical Lead, to help share some advice on how we can best talk to our kids when it comes to periods.
Sam, what would you say is the right age to start having these conversations?
Dr Sam Wild: I think we've got to consider that for most children, puberty's going to happen between the ages of eight and 13, and periods usually start a couple of years after puberty starts. So the average age in the UK is about 12. So you've got to talk to them before that time. And really from about the age of seven or eight, a child would have a good understanding. So you can start by speaking to them in quite simple terms about what they may experience in the future.
Dr Zoe Williams: Do you think you should talk to your sons and daughters separately, and should the information for boys and girls be different in any way?
Dr Sam Wild: I think you've got to consider their personalities and their age difference, but at the end of the day, we want the information to be the same. We want to be giving factual information. We want to avoid using any euphemisms or confusing language because we don't want to cause any embarrassment, if they're referring to body parts as something that somebody else doesn't understand, that might cause ridicule at school. So the information that we should be imparting to the children should be the same, but whether you want to do that at the same time will depend on your own children.
Dr Zoe Williams: What do you think is the best environment to have these conversations? Because I think sometimes, over the dinner table can feel a bit confrontational.
Dr Sam Wild: Intense, yeah. So, well I've always found with my children that the best time to talk to them is when you're not facing face-to-face. So on a long car journey, for example, or if you're out for a walk, you know, try then. But really when it comes up, you know, if the opportunity is there to talk about it, then do it. That might be in the supermarket if you're buying tampons or pads for yourself. It might be because there's been a TV advert on. So use the opportunity. If a child asks you, and you're guaranteed it will always be at the most awkward time, you don't want to shut them down. You need to talk to them about it at that stage.
Dr Zoe Williams: I think what I've realised, what I've done is rather than when does that conversation start with my child, I've just never done the stop. Because when you have a baby, whether they're a boy or a girl, you know, when they're little, you do everything in front of them. So the first time it came up and my little boy asked me, "What are you doing?" He was two. And I just explained, and thought, right, I'm just gonna keep that going now. I'm never gonna stop talking about it. Just keep building on the conversation. Just keep going.
Dr Sam Wild: And you change, as their understanding changes, the language that you use with them and the depth of information that you go into.
Dr Zoe Williams: And for parents who are broaching this topic a little bit later than two, what can they actually say?
Dr Sam Wild: So give them as much information as you can. So explain to them what it may feel like when they get their period, that they might experience some pain, that their periods might not be regular to start with. It's a common misconception that the blood just comes out when they go to the toilet. So explain that they might see some on their underwear, they might see some in the bed at night. And then talk to them about sanitary products. So pads, you might want to go shopping together to pick what they want to use and prepare a little kit for them to keep at school so that they've got a pad available. They might have a change of underwear or other clothes as well. So they don't need to worry about feeling embarrassed that it might be happening and they're not prepared for it. We want to break the stigmas. We want to, you know, get away from what used to happen back when I was at school, when we'd hide tampons up our sleeves. You know, it shouldn't be like that these days. We want to break those taboos.
Dr Zoe Williams: And I think don't be too shocked if your child already has quite a lot of information because in this day and age, children can access information. So there's maybe also something about asking them what they know already, which gives you an opportunity to correct any misinformation.
Dr Sam Wild: That's so true, yeah. And I think that that is a worry, that they might have been given misinformation. So get their understanding before you start.
Dr Zoe Williams: Thank you, Sam. I think there are so many parents out there that will find that really helpful. And I guess what we'll say more than anything else is do have the conversation. Find a way to do it.
How do I explain periods to a child?
Before having a conversation, you might find it helpful to refresh your memory. It might feel awkward at first, but talking about it should get easier with practice. By letting them know that periods are a normal part of life, you can help them feel less embarrassed. And, over time, they might come to you with more questions or worries about their health.
The topic might come up naturally. If your child asks about puberty or where babies come from, you could start talking about periods. Or, if you’re in a supermarket with them, you could talk to them about period products when you see them.
If the subject doesn’t come naturally, you could ask your child what they know about periods.
Try to consider their age, and the type of information they’re able to understand. Encourage them to ask questions if they’re unsure about anything. And if they do have questions, answer them as clearly as you can. It can help to:
- share your own experiences
- reassure them if they’re worried
- remind them that everybody is different and periods can start at different times
What should I tell my child about periods?
It’s a good idea to explain to the following.
- Talk to them about what a period is, why it happens, and when they might start. As your child grows older, they should be aware of the link between menstruation and pregnancy.
- Tell them how long a period lasts (3 to 7 days) and how often they happen (every 21 to 35 days).
- Explain the symptoms of a period, such as cramps, bloating, sore breasts, mood swings and feeling tired.
- Talk about how managing period symptoms, such as taking painkillers for period pain for example. Period pain can be uncomfortable so it’s important to address the effects this might have on daily life. You could also suggest they keep a period diary to keep track of their symptoms.
- Discuss different period products such as tampons, sanitary pads, menstrual cups and period underwear. If you have a daughter, you could offer to take her shopping for these products, so she has a supply ready for when her periods start.
What period product is best?
There are lots of different period products available. Which product is ‘best’ is often a personal choice. It depends on which product your child prefers, finds most comfortable, and what is affordable for your family.
They might find it easier to start with a sanitary pad before exploring other options. This gives them the chance to get used to having their period, and find out how heavy their periods are typically going to be.
We now offer GP appointments for children under 18. Find out more about our Under 18 GP Service, call us on 0330 822 3072.
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Sources Sources
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- Talking to your child about periods. Nemours TeensHealth. kidshealth.org, last reviewed October 2018.
- Periods: TikTok gives better education than schools, say teens. BBC News. bbc.co.uk, published April 2022.
- What can I expect when I get my period? Planned Parenthood. plannedparenthood.org, accessed May 2025.
- Your first period – frequently asked questions. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. acog.org, last reviewed October 2023.
- Menstruation and menstruation disorders. Patient. patient.info/doctor, last updated April 2022.
- What’s up with periods? Planned Parenthood. plannedparenthood.org, accessed May 2025.
- Personal communication. Dr Samantha Wild, Clinical Lead for Women's Health and Bupa GP, May 2025.
- Young People’s RSE Poll 2021. Sex Education Forum. sexeducationforum.org.uk, published January 2022.
- Dysmenorrhea: painful periods. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. acog.org, last reviewed January 2022.
- What you need to know. Periods. Family Planning Association. fpa.org.uk, published July 2014.
- Answering questions about sex. NemoursKidsHealth. kidshealth.org, last reviewed June 2024.
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