Menstrual Hygiene Day: Guiding Young Girls Through Early Periods with Care and Confidence

Each year on May 28, the world marks Menstrual Hygiene Day, a time dedicated to breaking taboos, raising awareness, and promoting safe and healthy practices around menstruation. While much of the conversation often centers on teenagers and adult women, an important and often overlooked group also needs support—young girls who start menstruating early.

For some children, menstruation begins as early as 8 or 9 years old, a stage when they’re still navigating childhood and not yet emotionally or mentally prepared for the changes puberty brings. When periods arrive unexpectedly at this young age, they can be scary, confusing, and even embarrassing—especially if a child hasn’t been adequately prepared. This is where parents and caregivers play a vital role.

Understanding Early Onset Menstruation

Puberty is different for every child. Some may experience early puberty (known as precocious puberty) due to genetic, environmental, or health-related factors. Regardless of the cause, what matters most is that the child receives timely support and accurate information to understand what’s happening to her body.

Why Menstrual Hygiene Education Matters

Menstrual hygiene is not just about using sanitary products—it encompasses understanding how to stay clean, manage periods safely, and deal with emotional changes. For younger children, who may struggle with independence and self-care, these tasks can be overwhelming without adult guidance.

Lack of awareness and poor hygiene can lead to infections, shame, and even missed school days. On the flip side, early education and open communication can build a girl’s confidence, ensure her physical health, and foster a positive relationship with her body.

How Parents Can Step In

Here are some practical ways parents and caregivers can support their daughters who experience menstruation at a young age:

1. Start the Conversation Early

Rather than waiting until a child gets her first period, begin discussing the changes of puberty in simple, age-appropriate terms. Use books, visual aids, or even everyday moments to introduce topics like body changes, menstruation, and hygiene.

Make it clear that periods are normal, natural, and nothing to be ashamed of.

2. Create a Safe Space

Young girls may feel scared or embarrassed to talk about their bodies. Foster a home environment where questions are welcomed and no topic is off-limits. Use correct terms like “menstruation” or “period” and avoid language that suggests periods are dirty or secret.

Let your child know that you are there to support her—physically, emotionally, and practically.

3. Teach Practical Hygiene Tips

Show your child how to use pads, how often to change them, how to dispose of them properly, and the importance of washing hands and bathing during menstruation. If she’s at school when her period starts, make sure she has a “period kit” in her bag with pads, a change of underwear, and wet wipes.

4. Include Dads and Older Siblings

While moms often take the lead, it’s important to involve fathers and older siblings too. When male figures are supportive and informed, it helps normalize menstruation and eliminates gender-based stigma in the family.

5. Talk About Emotions

Periods can come with mood swings, anxiety, and discomfort. Reassure your daughter that it’s okay to feel different and that she can always talk to you. Keep an eye out for signs of distress or confusion and offer a listening ear without judgment.

6. Advocate for Better Awareness

Encourage schools and communities to provide menstrual hygiene education to children at younger ages. Schools should also have accessible toilets, disposal facilities, and policies that support children who menstruate early.

Menstrual Hygiene Day is a powerful reminder that no child should feel alone or ashamed when starting their period. For young girls, the first experience with menstruation can shape how they view their bodies and their self-worth for years to come. Parents have a unique opportunity to replace fear with knowledge, silence with conversation, and shame with confidence.

By stepping in with empathy, accurate information, and practical support, we can ensure that every girl—no matter her age—feels empowered, healthy, and proud of her journey into womanhood.