Getting a period at school is something lots of girls are concerned about. Some are waiting for their first period, while others have already started getting periods but aren't sure when the next one will come. During the first few years, periods are irregular, meaning they don't always come exactly on time from month to month.

The good news is that there are ways to be prepared and there are people at school who can help. Here's how to help your daughter be ready for this milestone if it happens at school.

Keep Period Supplies Close By

Keeping supplies in a purse, backpack, or locker can make dealing with an unexpected period easier. Pads, also called sanitary napkins, are made of absorbent material, and they stick to underwear. The pad catches blood that comes out and keeps clothes from getting stained.

Some girls might use tampons or menstrual cups. Tampons are absorbent plugs that are inserted into the vagina. These can be more convenient when playing sports or going swimming. A menstrual cup is also inserted into the vagina, and it catches blood before it flows out.

Girls who haven't started their period yet can talk with a parent, older relative, or another trusted adult to help gather supplies.

Using the Supplies

Opening a pad or tampon in a school bathroom may feel a little uncomfortable at first, wondering if anyone can hear. But many students will also be making those crinkling sounds. When things are new, we notice them more, but it's unlikely anyone else is really listening on the other side of the bathroom stall.

What if a Period Starts at School?

Sometimes girls — and even grown women — aren't prepared for their periods. If menstruation does happen at school, it’s possible to make a temporary pad from toilet paper. Then girls can ask to visit the nurse. If the school doesn't have a nurse, a school counselor or trusted teacher should be able to find some period supplies. It might feel a little awkward to ask, but they can say something like, "I started my period today and I don't have my supplies."

Some girls may want to call a parent even if they get help from school staff, especially if it’s their first period.

What if Clothes Get Stained?

First periods usually aren’t very heavy, but if clothes do get stained at some point, wrapping a jacket or sweatshirt around the waist is a quick short-term fix. Some girls might have a change of clothes in their gym locker, or they might be able to borrow clothing from a friend.

If there aren’t any spare clothes, girls can ask school staff about calling a parent, who can bring clothes or pick girls up and take them home. When returning to class with different clothes on, there’s no need to explain what happened. Instead, they can say something like, "I spilled something on myself so I changed."

First Period Timing

If girls are wondering when their first period will happen, the doctor might be able to help. At their next checkup, the doctor can do an exam, see how much your child has developed, and might be able to tell, roughly, when to expect a first period. It could arrive in the next six months, or it could be a year or more away.