“A good time for parents to have a conversation about periods would be when they notice their daughter has started to, or is going through puberty (breast development, pubic or underarm hair growth, or a growth spurt),” said Dr Ong.
Dr Yeong said these conversations can even start between the ages of eight and 10, before puberty begins. Children at this age tend to be more curious, open, and less self-conscious, making it a good window, she explained.
“They are able to understand simple explanations and are more likely to ask questions. Early conversations also help to normalise menstruation, framing it as a normal part of life rather than something awkward or taboo, an attitude that may still exist in some cultural contexts,” she said.
Dr Yeong recently had such a conversation with her eight-year-old daughter after the curious child asked where babies came from.
“At her age, she is naturally curious and wants to understand how things work,” she said.
Dr Yeong kept her replies simple and age-appropriate and they watched an animated educational video on menstruation together. Avoiding going into detailed biology due to her daughter’s young age, she used simple words like “growing up”, “body changes” and “menses”.
“I explained that when girls grow up into women, their bodies change and one of those changes is having menses. I told her that menses are a sign that the body is growing and can one day carry a baby,” she said. “I focused more on helping her understand body changes in a positive and non-scary way.”
PERIOD ESSENTIALS FOR EVERY GIRL
Conversations about menstruation should be part of an ongoing dialogue about puberty in general, the experts said.
“Puberty can be a challenging time for girls as their body goes through many changes. They may not only physically start to look different before or after their peers, but also go through acne breakouts and mood swings,” said Dr Ong.