The big day is coming soon... Your body is changing and you're impatiently waiting (or not) for your period to start. Lots of questions are racing through your head. What sanitary protection is available? What are the symptoms? How to choose the right protection? No stress! We've prepared a summary of tips and tricks that will allow you to best prepare for the arrival of those that will follow you all your life.

What protections can I use?

There are many sanitary protections that will help you have a good period .

• Disposable sanitary towels : these are adhesive strips that stick to the panties and absorb the blood secreted during menstruation . They come in different forms: for light flows (when you lose very little blood) and for heavier flows or for the night, with tabs or without tabs... You can keep them for a maximum of 6 hours. However, they are made up of chemicals that allow good absorption but could be harmful to health.

• Reusable sanitary towels : they work in the same way as disposable sanitary towels (they clip onto the panties and come in different shapes to suit the needs of each woman), except that they are designed to be reused. After each use, instead of throwing them away, put them in the washing machine at 60°C and can be reused the next day. They are made of cotton, soft and absorbent, therefore harmless to your health.

• the sanitary tampon : it is a small cylinder made of absorbent material that is slipped inside the vagina to absorb the blood that flows during menstruation . There are some for light flows or heavier flows, with or without an applicator (small plastic or cardboard tube that helps insert the tampon). They can be kept for up to 6 hours. However, just like disposable sanitary towels, tampons can sometimes contain chemicals in small quantities that could be dangerous for women's health.

• organic tampons : these are small cylinders made of organic cotton that, just like normal tampons, slip inside the vagina to absorb the blood secreted during menstruation . As they are made of 100% organic cotton, these tampons are very soft and more pleasant for the skin, they prevent irritation and reduce the appearance of toxic shock syndrome .

• the menstrual cup : the menstrual cup works almost like the tampon, it is a flexible cone that is inserted into the vagina. Unlike the tampon, it collects the blood instead of absorbing it. Every 6 hours maximum, it is emptied, it is rinsed and put back in place. It is a reusable product. It has a lifespan of 5 years. Without chemicals, it limits allergies and irritations and is environmentally friendly.

Which protection to choose?

Only you can decide which protection is best for you. It depends on your lifestyle, how comfortable you are with your body, how it reacts, etc. However, we can give you some advice that can help you make your choice:

• Sanitary pads are the easiest protection to use: they clip onto your panties and are changed every 4 to 6 hours. But if you're uncomfortable with your pubic area coming into contact with your blood, then you can think about something else. They're the perfect solution to start getting used to your period if you're not totally comfortable with the idea of ​​using a tampon or cup.

• The tampon and the menstrual cup work in a completely different way, you have to insert them into the vagina. Their big advantage is the comfort of use, you almost forget that you have your period . However, you should keep in mind that you have to change your tampon or menstrual cup regularly (every 8 hours maximum) to avoid possible toxic shock syndrome. So, if you are not yet ready to introduce "a foreign body" into your vagina, it is better to turn to sanitary towels.

The only way to know what works best for you is to experiment. You probably won't find the protection that instantly becomes your best friend, and that's okay. You have all the time in the world.

I detect signals to avoid surprise

Are you between 10 and 16 years old? First sign. You will, one day or another, face menstruation. To avoid being caught off guard, it is necessary to spot the signs that your body gives you to warn you that the D-day is approaching.

You may also have white discharge or an increase in it. You will have a whitish spot at the bottom of your panties. Nothing serious, on the contrary. This white discharge helps to clean the vagina and prevent it from drying out. If it is increasingly significant, it means that you are getting closer to the date of your first period .

In some girls, stomach aches and bloating occur a few days before the arrival of the first period . But, again, this is quite random and depends on each girl.

Chances are you're much more susceptible than normal. Periods also affect women's moods.

If you don't have any of these signals, don't worry! The body doesn't react the same way for everyone.

To avoid being caught off guard, here are a few tips:

• wear a washable panty liner every day if you're getting close to the big day and avoid the stain in math class!

• put the protection you have chosen in your school bag to always be ready

• put a pair of panties and/or a change of clothes in your locker in case you have a small leak

• And if you have a stain, one thing you should know: despite popular belief, blood is washed off with lukewarm water and not cold water (which fixes the blood in the fabric) and above all blood does not like hot water (which also fixes it).

I don't panic (too much)

Having your period is nothing serious. On the contrary, it means that everything is fine. And not having it at the same time as your friends is not serious either. Everyone has their own rhythm. They will come one day ;-)

So don't worry and above all, don't hesitate to ask your mother or your doctor questions. Periods are not a taboo subject, on the contrary :-). If you wish, you can even participate in a mother-daughter workshop at the Cyclo Show to discuss the subject of periods with professionals.

I continue to live

Just because you have your period doesn't mean you can't leave the house! So continue to live your young woman life: go out with your friends, play sports or go shopping. All these activities are far from incompatible with your period and can even relieve menstrual cramps. In fact, no activity should be banned during your period. So have fun, it's a week like any other :-)