My 11-year daughter attends two-hour football coaching classes five days per week. On days when she has her menstrual periods, she doesn’t want to go for practice. Is it advisable to do strenuous exercise and sports training during menstruation?

— Ruchi Saha, Bengaluru

She can do any form of exercise during her periods as long as she is comfortable doing it. It’s a myth that a menstruating girl/ woman cannot play sports and/or exercise. Menstruation is not a hindrance to any of these activities.

My 12-year-old daughter got her first menstrual period ten months ago. Since then her periods have been irregular. Sometimes, she gets it once in two months, otherwise in 45 days. The first five days she experiences heavy flow with the period lasting for 10- 11 days. Is this normal?

— Ragini Kumar, Chennai

When a girl child begins menarche, it’s common for the periods to be irregular for about one-two years. But it’s important that the menstruation isn’t heavy and prolonged as it can lead to anemia and related problems.

In this particular case, given that she has heavy flow for five days and the periods go on for 10-11 days, it’s possible she is suffering from menorrhagia which requires immediate medical attention and treatment. Please consult a gynaecologist.

I have heard about cervical cancer vaccines being administered to teenage girls in the US. My daughter is ten years of age and is yet to begin menstruating. Should I vaccinate her against cervical cancer?

— Lidya Preetham, Bengaluru

Cervical cancer vaccines have been in the market for the past ten years. In India, they are not a part of the National Immunization Programme but are easily available. Typically, they are given to girl children aged 12-13 years. If the vaccine is taken before 15 years of age, only two doses are administered and if taken after 15, three doses. Catch-up vaccination can be given until the age of 26. Once a woman becomes sexually active, the effectiveness of the vaccine reduces. In this case, your daughter can be vaccinated when she turns 11 or 12 years old. But please consult your paediatrician before vaccinating her.

My daughter uses normal sanitary napkins, but gets rashes by the end of her period. We have tried different brands, but it hasn’t helped. Please advise.

— Vidarbha Sharma, Mumbai

It’s common for girl children to complain of rashes because of sanitary napkins. Most sanitary pads have a plastic net-like weave at the top which irritates external genitalia. Try brands advertising soft, cloth-like weaves to avoid skin rash. Another option is to use cloth pads.

Menstrual cups can also be tried if she is comfortable with inserting the cup into her vagina. But it is usually very painful for children who have their hymen intact to use menstrual cups.

(Dr. Anu Sridhar is senior consultant, obstetrics and gynaecology, Fortis Hospital, Bengaluru)

Also read: Talking menstruation with your daughter