A woman menstruates on average 2,000 days in her life and will need 10,000 sanitary pads. But not all women have access to clean, safe toilets or the means to buy pads. This is what is known as “menstrual insecurity”. Unfortunately, menstrual insecurity has many negative effects on young girls and women: they often miss school or work during their period because they have no pads and no access to decent toilets They keep the same sanitary pad for too long, which leads to infections. ...
For young girls, the first period is often expected, and sometimes dreaded. They arrive during puberty, generally between the ages of 9 and 16. It’s normal and a sign of good health. During this period, blood flows from the vagina. The length of the period and the colour of the blood vary from one girl to another. There are lots of easy ways to be comfortable during your first period: dress comfortably and take a small kit with menstrual pads, a change of underwear, tissues and a small bot...
The menstrual cycle is made up of 4 phases: menstruation, the pre-ovulatory phase, ovulation and the premenstrual phase. This 4th and final phase takes place just before the menstruation, and is known as the premenstrual phase, often referred to as “premenstrual syndrome” (or PMS). This is the time when we really feel the effect of hormone variations on our body and our emotions. During this phase, the body prepares to welcome the menstrual time, or if fertilisation has taken place, ...
It is because of the menstrual cycle that women can have children. It’s a cycle that lasts 28 days on average, sometimes a little longer or shorter depending on the woman. The menstrual cycle begins on the first day of your period and ends the day before your next period. It comprises 4 main phases: 1- Menstruation: blood flows ; 2- The follicular phase: just after menstruation; 3- Ovulation: the body produces an egg that will only be used if pregnancy sets in; 4- The luteal phase: also kn...
Sport is very important for your physical, mental and intellectual well-being. Sport is the best way to stay fit and live longer. People who practise sport improve their health and prevent illness, particularly non-communicable diseases. Sport also helps to improve your performance at school and your learning by encouraging your attention and ability to concentrate. Sport is for women and men. It’s as beneficial for women as for anyone else. Even if a woman is menstruating, she can still d...
Mood swings are caused by variations in hormones during the 4 phases of the menstrual cycle. The 2 hormones responsible for a woman’s cycle are oestrogen and progesterone. Each person’s experience is different and these changes can vary from one cycle to another. Knowing which phase of the cycle you’re in will help you to cope better with your emotions and organise yourself better. Phase 1: menstruation (‘period’). During this phase, you may feel tired...
From the moment she starts menstruating, a woman can become pregnant if she has sexual intercourse during certain days of her cycle. This time is called the “fertile period” and lasts about 7 days each month. You can calculate this period by observing your body and following your cycle. There are several methods of calculation: identify the moment of ovulation (14 days before your menstruation) Observing vaginal discharge and cervical mucus (transparent, abundant and sticky at the ti...
Many cultures have beliefs about menstruation. It’s possible that some of these beliefs exist in your culture and that you can’t take part in community life during your period. Originally, these beliefs were made to allow women to rest during this time, when they have less energy. Under the right conditions, it’s an ideal time to rest, reflect and create. You can even take advantage of it to study quietly and read all day. Of course, if you feel unsafe or unwell, either physica...
Your period is natural and a sign of good health. From the moment you start your period, your menstrual cycle begins. You can be proud of this, because you’re joining the community of women around the world. You’ll see that when you understand your body, your life improves! In some cultures, menstruation is hidden and some families don’t talk about it with their daughters. If this is the case for you, try talking about it with an older sister, a girlfriend, an aunt or your moth...
Menopause is the stage in a woman’s life when her period stops. The menopause often occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, when a woman has not seen her period for at least 12 months. From then on, a woman can no longer have children. She moves on to another stage in her life. Menopause is often perceived negatively, because it is accompanied by discomforts: hot flushes, sleep problems, vaginal dryness, changes in mood, questioning, sometimes irritability… You feel different and have ...
Vaginal discharge is white/creamy or transparent. It is natural and good for your health. All women have them. It appears at puberty and gradually disappears after the menopause. The main role of white discharge is to clean your vagina by eliminating dead cells and microbes. It also contains antibodies that keep bacteria and viruses out of your body. Your white discharge is clean. If your discharge is itchy, smelly or very thick, go and see a midwife or gynaecologist. It’s normal for your ...
Puberty is an unavoidable time in life, which can have a major impact on self-image and confidence. For young girls, the body undergoes a complete transformation, and this is not always easy to accept. However, each bodily change has a specific function and a beneficial effect. The body produces many hormones that enable young girls to become women. You may find it hard to accept your new body, and that’s perfectly normal! It may take you some time to get used to it. But tell yourself that...
For both girls and boys, puberty is an important stage on the road to adulthood. It occurs between the ages of 9 and 19. During this period your body changes, you take on new shapes, your breasts grow, you get hair and pimples, and above all, you experience your first period. Your body starts to produce all sorts of hormones, and this affects your moods and the way you think. You feel new emotions and ask yourself lots of questions. This is all normal, and a good sign! Don’t hesitate to di...
Sport is very important for physical, mental and intellectual well-being. Sport is for men and women. It allows us to acquire values and skills that help each of us to develop and respect the other. Women can do sport when they are menstruating. It’s even good for them. It promotes well-being and reduces menstrual pain. The highest priority is to listen to and understand your body. During your period, when you move around a lot, you may feel like you’re losing more blood. In fact, it...
To feel comfortable during your period, you need effective menstrual protection to absorb the blood from your period. There are several types of menstrual protection, and every woman has her own preferences. Make sure you have enough, so you can live with peace of mind and avoid staining your clothes. There are disposable pads, washable pads, tampons, menstrual panties, menstrual cups and pieces of cotton fabric. Test several to see which you prefer. To buy your pads, go to a chemist, visit Weer...
The vagina is a genital organ located inside a woman’s body. It is a hollow (a hole) whose entrance is located between the legs. This is where the blood from menstruation flows, where a man’s sex enters during sexual intercourse and where a baby is born. The vagina is connected to the uterus, hidden inside the woman’s belly. There are 3 parts to the vagina: The entrance, just after the labia minora, is partly closed by a membrane called the hymen. The hymen has holes to allow m...
The uterus is part of the internal genital organs and is the organ of pregnancy. It is a hollow muscle that receives the egg after fertilisation and where the pregnancy develops. It is a sort of “room” for the baby to grow before birth. It is located above the vagina into which it opens via the cervix. It also plays an important role during childbirth by its contractions to expel the baby. The uterus is made up of 3 parts: the lining: this is the highest part of the uterus. This is t...
Many girls and women experience pain during their period: pain in the stomach, back, head, breasts, legs, etc. These pains are caused by changes in your body. They say it’s normal, but there are plenty of tips to help you avoid too much pain: rest Take some time alone, in peace and quiet, do things you enjoy Put something warm on your tummy, drink water and hot herbal teas (without sugar) Avoid coffee. Avoid milk (even curdled milk and yoghurt), reduce sugar eat plenty of fruit and vegetab...
Phase 4 of your cycle is the pre-menstrual phase. It begins 7 to 10 days before your period. During this phase, if there is no pregnancy, your body prepares to expel what would have been used to welcome a baby (the endometrium). During this premenstrual phase, you may experience headaches, breast tenderness, swelling in the lower abdomen, stomach or back pain, nausea, pimples, etc. You may also feel tired, irritated, sad or angry. We rarely say it, but it’s also an interesting time when we...
Sport is not only good for your physical and mental health, it also teaches values and skills that help girls and boys to develop and respect each other. Sporting activities that help build life skills are called “sport for development”. Personal skills are, for example, your confidence in yourself and your abilities, your creativity or your motivation. Social skills are linked to living in society, such as respect for others, communication and empathy. Methodological skills enable y...
Here’s how to prepare a kit with the essentials you need to manage your period peacefully away from home. Prepare a small kit that you can slip into your bag with : – at least 3 menstrual pads (disposable or reusable) – a clean change of underwear – a pack of tissues – a waterproof bag to store used protection – painkillers if you wish Don’t forget to take a small bottle of water or a flask to wash your hands anywhere. Apiafrique organic cotton reusable ...
Your body belongs to you, it’s up to you to decide what you want or don’t want for your body. No one has the right to touch you without your permission, no one has the right to hurt you, beat you, rape you, marry you, circumcise you, lock you up or threaten you if you don’t agree. That’s what we call consent! Some boys or men may want to take advantage of your body, and you have the right to say NO to them. You can say that you don’t want them to touch you and that ...
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