74 chapter 4: Understanding your body
Monthly bleeding (period, menstruation)
Almost all girls and women with disabilities will have the same monthly bleeding
cycle as women who are not disabled. Monthly bleeding is a sign that you can
become pregnant. No girl can know exactly when she will get her first monthly
bleeding. It usually happens after your breasts and the hair on your body start to
grow. Also, several months before your first monthly bleeding, you may notice some
wetness coming from your vagina. It may stain your underclothes. This is normal.
You may feel stomach cramps, get a headache, pain in your lower back or breasts,
or feel mood changes just before your monthly bleeding starts. For example, you
may feel overly sensitive or easily lose your temper.
If you are blind or have difficulty seeing, or if you have difficulty moving your
arms or legs, ask your family or friends you trust to help you manage your monthly
bleeding. To help a girl or woman who has difficulty understanding or learning
about monthly bleeding, see page 110. For information on how to care for yourself
during monthly bleeding, see page 109, and for information on sexual health and
monthly bleeding, see page 182.
As a woman grows older, her monthly bleeding will end. For most women, this
change happens when they are between 45 and 55 years old. For information, see
page 282.
Around the world, women have many
different names for their monthly bleeding.
I see the
moon.
My monthly habit
is here.
I have a visitor
from Russia.
I have my
monthly
bleeding.
I have my
period.
María is
crying.
A Health Handbook for Women with Disabilities 2007
A friend is
visiting.