Page 42 - ParentsWorld June 2020

nurturing 21st Century Children

asK the

doCtor

dr. SanKari aLagaraSan

Menstrual problems

OF TEENAGE GIRLS

menstrual cycles, weight gain, and other physical changes,
etc before consulting a gynaecologist.

i have been reading about the benefits of switching
to cloth pads and menstrual cups, not just for
environmental sustainability but for health reasons
as well. are commercially produced sanitary pads
unhygienic and unsafe?
— Preethi V, Chennai
Commercial sanitary pads can be used but need to be
changed frequently. Similarly when using cloth or biode-
gradable pads, frequency of change needs to be followed
as per instructions. Undergarments should also be changed
My daughter started menstruating at 13 years. She every six-eight hours. Vaginal washes can be used to avoid
is now 15 and suddenly her monthly periods have rashes and in case of wetness, apply some talcum powder.
become irregular and sometimes skip a month. She If there is itching, use candid powder. Moreover it’s advis-
is in class X and preparing for her boards. i wonder if able to wear cotton instead of nylon panties which tend to
this is because of stress. cause skin irritation.
— Worried mother, Chennai
Stress can’t be the only cause. Note down the number My daughter's menstrual cycle began two years ago.
of irregular menstrual cycles. If the number of irregular She is now 13 years old. She complains of intense
cycles are one-two, there’s no cause for anxiety. If irregular- stomach cramps before the onset of her period. how
ity persists for more than three cycles, investigate further. can this be remedied?
Is there abnormal weight gain? Is her haemoglobin count — Shruthi M, Bangalore
normal? She should also undergo a diagnostic test to ascer- In cases of early onset of puberty, stomach cramps are
tain if she is suffering anemiaor polycystic ovaries. common, and generally nothing to worry about. The
uterus is immature, the uterine opening may be small and
i suspect my 15-year-old daughter is suffering from perineal area and pelvic floor muscles tight. This results
PcoS (polycystic ovary syndrome). She has put on a in pain in the lower abdomen and pelvic nerves. Exercise
lot of weight in the past few years. is she too young to can provide some relief. If pain is severe, anti-spasmodic
develop PcoS? medications can be taken. It’s probable she will outgrow
— Worried mother, Bangalore stomach cramps after she turns 18 years. However if pain
PCOS is common among teenage girl children these days. persists or there are other abnormal symptoms, consult a
Weight gain apart, other symptoms, include facial hair gynaecologist.
growth and acne. Treatment plans usually include medi-
cation, dietary and lifestyle changes. Please be observant (dr. r. Sankari alagarasan is a gynaecologist and infertility
and make a detailed note of the duration of her monthly specialist at clarite abikshaiya hospital, Madurai)

parentsworld • june 2020 44