At What Age Do Girls Typically Get Their First Period
The age at which girls get their first period varies quite a bit. Some can be as young as 9, and some can be as late as 15 or 16.
Sometimes a girls first period will come around the time that her mother got her first period. So it can be helpful for her mother to share her experience with her daughter. That can give her some idea of what to expect for what age she might get her first period. Sometimes its completely different.
Most girls get their period between ages 12 and 14, but it can happen years earlier or later, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists .
Some girls get their first period as young as 9 or as old as 15 or 16, Premier Physician Network providers say.
For most girls, their period starts about two years after they first start to grow breasts, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services .
For more information about when girls typically get their first period, talk to your doctor.
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It’s An Important Time In Every Girls’ Life How You Can Help Her Through It
Although you will see signs that your teen is in puberty, her first period may still be somewhat unexpected. Some young women are frightened by the sight of bleeding or embarrassed if it causes a stain on their underwear or clothing. As a mother or caretaker, it will help if you talk to your teen about her impending periods and what she can expect. It’s important to remind her that it is natural and that every woman goes through. You can also give her tips on how to prepare for her period ahead of time, so she’s not taken by surprise when it shows up. For example, you can give her pads and panty liners to carry with her in her backpack or purse.
Some of the next information you probably already know, but it can help you explain to your teen what’s going on within her body, as well as what having her first period signifies in her development:
Explaining what‘s happening in her body.
A girl’s first period is likely to occur between the ages of nine and 16. It usually lasts for three to seven days and then stops until the next period beginsusually about 21 to 28 days after it started. This timeframefrom the first day of bleeding until the first day of the NEXT menstrual periodis called a “menstrual cycle.”
Important things to mention about sexual activity.
What she’ll need.
Here are some things you might want to encourage your teen to take with her if you think the start of her periods is near:
Understanding symptoms leading up to her period.
Explaining PMS.
Is There Anything Else I Can Do To Help My Menstrual Cramps
Natural remedies such as a microwavable warm pack or a heating pad placed on your abdomen may help. Soaking in a warm bath may also relieve uncomfortable cramps. Some teens find that increasing their physical activity helps others find that resting quietly for short periods of time helps.
Acupuncture is an alternative treatment that is sometimes recommended to treat menstrual cramps. You should also eat healthy foods, drink lots of fluids, and get plenty of rest. Check with your health care provider about different treatments that work best for you.
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What Will It Look Like
If a period is made of bloody fluid, you would expect it to look like blood, right? Well, sometimes period flow can look thinner or thicker than ânormalâ blood. First periods sometimes show up as a thick dark âsmearâ in your underwear. Dark? Yep, the color can definitely be different than you expect, ranging from deep red, to maroon, brown or even black. That happens because blood changes color over time. Sometimes your period blood has been waiting in your uterus or vagina for a while before it comes out, so it isnât the color of âfreshâ blood like youâd see if you cut your skin . The color doesnât mean anything about your health, so just know that if you see brown stuff in your underwear , itâs probably your period.
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How Do I Know When I Will Get My Next Period
Its impossible to predict when your next period will start. Most girls and women go about 28 days from the first day of one period to the first day of the next, but anywhere from 21-35 days is normal. Especially in the first few years of menstruating, your period may be very irregular. If you track your period on a calendar , you will begin to notice a pattern over time. You can use this menstrual diary to keep track of your periods.
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What Is A Normal Menstrual Cycle
The menstrual cycle is a term used to describe the sequence of events that occur within a womans body as it prepares for the possibility of pregnancy each month. A menstrual cycle is considered to begin on the first day of a period. The average cycle is 28 days long however, a cycle can range in length from 21 days to about 35 days.
The steps in the menstrual cycle are triggered by the rise and fall of chemicals in the body called hormones. The pituitary gland in the brain and the ovaries in the female reproductive tract manufacture and release certain hormones at certain times during the menstrual cycle that cause the organs of the reproductive tract to respond in certain ways. The specific events that occur during the menstrual cycle can be described as follows:
Path To Improved Well Being
The changes associated with puberty can be difficult. Many girls anxiously await the opportunity to wear a bra for the first time or think about becoming a mom in the future. All other changes, such as your daughters first period or changes to her size can be scary. Break it down for your daughter by explaining the stages of puberty that will affect her physically and emotionally.
Girls begin puberty at different ages. It can start as early as age 9. By age 15, most girls have fully developed. Its during these years that both her body and her emotions will change.
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So Why Do Women Have Periods
As a woman, your period is your bodys way of releasing tissue that it no longer needs. Every month, your body prepares for pregnancy.
The lining of your uterus gets thicker as preparation for nurturing a fertilized egg. An egg is released and is ready to be fertilized and settle in the lining of your uterus.
If the egg is not fertilized, your body no longer needs the thicker lining of the uterus, so it starts to break down and is eventually expelled, along with some blood, from your vagina. This is your period, and once its over, the process starts all over again.
The way that women experience their periods varies widely. Its important that you communicate with your healthcare provider if you have concerns about:
- Cycle regularity. Is it regular each month? Irregular? Absent?
- Duration of period. Is it prolonged? Typical? Shortened?
- Volume of menstrual flow. Is it heavy? Typical? Light?
2014 article in the International Journal of Womens Health, you can suppress your cycle with various types of birth control such as:
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What Do I Need To Do To Prepare For My First Period
There is nothing in particular you need to do to prepare for your first period, besides having feminine hygiene products and over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or naproxen on hand. If you happen to get your period with no access to menstrual products, toilet paper will work in an emergency. If you get your first period at school, your teacher or school nurse will have a pantiliner or pad on hand.
There are a variety of menstrual products available to you:
Disposable pads
These absorbent pads have an adhesive backing that sticks to the inside of your underwear. They are available in different lengths and absorbencies, and some have adhesive wings that wrap around the sides of your underwear. Disposable pads should be changed every 4-6 hours and are thrown out after a single use.
Pantiliners
These are small, thin, disposable absorbent pads that can be used on their own on days of light flow. They can also be used in combination with a tampon, in case of leaks or discharge.
Reusable pads
These are usually made of cotton, bamboo, or other natural absorbent fibres, and are often available at health food stores. They can be washed with detergent and reused. Some have velcro tabs to secure them around your underwear.
Tampons
Menstrual cup
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Signs Your Daughter Is About To Start Her Period
As a dad with 3 daughters, I began to wonder what the signs your daughter is about to start her period are, sometimes called menarche symptoms. So I did I do some research.
Heres what I learned:
The signs your daughter is about to start her period include:
1. Breast development7. Increased Appetite and/or Food Cravings8. Growth spurts9. Bloating and cramps
So now that you know all the signs your daughters period is about to start, lets review the specifics of each one and answer some additional questions.
Co-authored with womens health expert Aashna Grover of Sharda Hospital.
Period Symptoms And Pain
When your childs period is coming, they might have a range of physical symptoms, including sore breasts, pimples and greasy hair. Your child might also have a sore tummy, feel sick or have diarrhoea.
Period pain and these associated symptoms are common. If your child gets a sore tummy, back or legs before or during their period, your child could try:
- taking pain medication
- putting a hot water bottle on their lower stomach
- walking or other light exercise
- eating smaller meals more often
- resting and relaxing, particularly with their legs elevated, or lying on one side with knees bent
- lightly massaging the lower stomach
- having warm drinks like hot milk or herbal tea.
Very painful periods are common, as are symptoms like nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. But if your child has period pain that disrupts everyday activities, they should see their GP. Hormone treatments that regulate periods or even turn them off for a while are safe and very effective.
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Is It Okay To Exercise When I Have My Period
Exercising is a good way to stay fit and healthy. Some girls like to exercise when they have their period because it helps lessen their cramps. Other girls are uncomfortable exercising when they have their period. You should find what works best for you. Talk to your coach or gym teacher if exercising is uncomfortable during your period.
Did We Cover Everything About The Menarche Symptoms Of Your Daughters First Period Starting
The onset of the first period can be anything from empowering to intimidating, depending on the environment or surroundings.
In this post, we reviewed the most common signs your daughter is about to start her period.
Therefore, when you notice any of the menarche symptoms in your daughter, know that she will need your help and support.
At that point in time, it is your responsibility to assure her that all these changes are totally normal.
With proper preparation and information, you can calm your daughters nerves and help her ease into womanhood smoothly and easily.
What has been your biggest challenge for parenting daughters?
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Am I Old Enough For Tampons
If you are having your menstrual period, your body is mature enough for using tampons. While many girls get their first periods between age 12 and 14, you may have your first period at a younger or older age. Whether to use tampons or not is a personal decision, there is no age restriction. You will need to learn how to insert a tampon, which can be tricky when you are new to using one.
You must be sure to change it every four to six hours to lessen the risk of toxic shock syndrome. Use the lowest absorbency available and start with those that have a smooth plastic applicator with a rounded tip . You may want to also use a pantyliner in case there is a leak. If you’re active or want to be able to swim during your period, then tampons may be a good choice. You can also consider different kinds of underwear for that time of the month.
What If I Bleed Through My Clothes Are They Ruined
Not necessarily! Before we get into the nitty-gritty, know that leaks happen to everyone.
When you first start your period, youre learning about how much you bleed, how much your menstrual product can hold, and when your flow is heaviest.
If you can, keep a couple of stain wipes in your bag. They can help get the worst of the stain out and hold things over until youre able to clean the fabric properly.
You can also tie a jacket or sweatshirt around your waist to help cover the stain until youre able to change.
When you get home, try this method to get blood stains off:
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Can I Go Swimming During My Period
Swimming during your period isnt a problem. However, you will want to use a tampon when swimming so you dont bleed on your swimsuit. Pads wont work and will just fill with water. The tampon wont fall out if it is inserted correctly, so go ahead and make a splash!
Tampons also can be helpful for girls who exercise or play sports during their periods. Pads will work, but can feel uncomfortable during sports.
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