How To Prepare For Your Stepdaughter’s Period

Learning about periods can feel overwhelming if you don’t experience them yourself. There’s also an unfortunate stigmatization around menstrual cycles that can unnecessarily make your child’s period awkward.

However, stepfathers can be involved with their child’s reproductive health. Instead of letting your partner handle everything, you can take steps to prepare yourself. Here’s how to prepare for your stepdaughter’s period.

What is a Menstrual Cycle?

Also known as a period, a menstrual cycle occurs when the lining of a uterus begins to shed. A regular part of the reproductive system, this is the body’s way of preparing someone for pregnancy.

A period will include blood and some tissue from the uterus lining. This flows from the cervix and out of the body through the vagina. 

A normal menstrual cycle will include four primary phases: the menses, follicular, ovulation, and luteal. It’s an average of 28 days long, with the first day beginning when the period first occurs.

These phases are triggered by various hormones released from the pituitary gland to the ovaries. This makes the reproductive system react in specific ways. 

Tips for Stepdads Raising a Daughter

Don’t Stigmatize Periods

Although it’s a normal part of growing up, there’s still a lot of stigmatization surrounding periods. Thankfully, change can start with you! If your stepdaughter feels ashamed about their period, assure them it’s a normal part of life.

Many people also experience periods, so it’s important to remind them that they’re not alone. Plus, if you lead by example as an encouraging father figure, others are sure to follow! Encourage them to let others know if they’re leaking and carry extra period products.

It Doesn’t Have to Be Awkward

When your stepdaughter experiences their first period, it’s only awkward if you make it that way. As mentioned above, periods are a completely normal part of reproductive health.

Just like you would care for your child if they had a cold, you’re educating them about their monthly cycle. Try your best to remain calm and discuss these experiences rationally and matter-of-factly. 

Educate Yourself

The best way to support your stepdaughter during their period is to be knowledgeable about the process. You certainly don’t have to be a medical professional.

Still, it can be helpful if they have a role model explaining the normalcy of their period, especially if it’s their first one. Conduct some research on Google or talk to friends who experience periods.

If your partner experiences periods, they can provide you with valuable information. However, please don’t rely on them to do all the period talking. Both of you should participate in the conversation. 

Understand When to Seek a Doctor

While there are commonly shared experiences, no two periods are the same. Thus, it’s essential to understand when your stepdaughter’s period isn’t normal. Examples of abnormal periods include:

• Debilitating menstrual cramps.
• Extra long or short cycles.
• A complete lack of bleeding altogether.

These could be signs of pregnancy or chronic reproductive diseases like endometriosis. 

Learn About and Stock Up on Period Products

As similar as they may seem, pads and pantiliners do not serve the same purpose. As a parent of a growing child, you need to learn about the differences between tampons, pads, and other related period products.

This will help you know what your daughter may need and stock up on supplies before their period starts. That way, if your daughter runs out of period products, you’ll know exactly what they like and what to look for. 

Make it a Celebration

Your daughter’s first period doesn’t have to be a strange and uncomfortable experience. On the contrary, just like you’d celebrate any milestone, a period represents a new beginning!

Periods represent the transition from childhood to adolescence. Thus, consider making it a celebration! You don’t have to throw a party or anything, but words of encouragement and a simple congratulations card will be enough for your daughter to feel safe discussing her reproductive health with you.

Now you know how to prepare for your stepdaughter’s period. Here’s how to be a dad your stepdaughter can count on.

About the author

In 1995, Gerardo Campbell married his now ex-wife, becoming the stepdad to her two children. In 2011, he started Support for Stepfathers to reverse the nearly 70% divorce rate for blended families in the US. His website is to help and inspire stepfathers, aspiring stepfathers, and the women who love them worldwide. You can follow Support for Stepdads on Twitter and Facebook.