Your Breasts Feel Tender
Its common for breasts to feel extra sensitive, or even sore, on the days leading upto a period. Breasts can feel sore and swollen due to the fluctuating levels of hormones, explains Dr. Kallen. Why? Estrogen enlarges breast ducts, and progesterone causes milk glands to swell. Both combined can make your breasts feel pretty tender.
Remember, its important to get to know how your breasts normally look and feel. Ideally, examine them in the days after your period ends, when your breasts are least likely to be swollen and tender. Bear in mind that breast tenderness before your period is normal, but if you have other concerns about your breasts or notice a change, you should see a health care professional.
How Will I Know When My Periods Are Going To Start
Signs that your period is on its way are if you’ve grown underarm and pubic hair. Typically, you’ll start your periods about 2 years after your breasts start growing and about a year after getting a white vaginal discharge. The average girl will get her first period around 12 years old, but it varies from person to person.
Your Discharge Is Dry
Vaginal discharge changes during different parts of your cycle and is often a good telltale sign of the most fertile time in your cycle. Around ovulation, your cervix produces more cervical mucus, and your discharge may have a raw egg white texture to increase the chances of conception, explains Dr. Kallen. But right before your period, it generally looks different. Youll have no discharge at all, or it may be sticky because this is when youre least fertile.
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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.
My Period Just Started What Should I Do
If youve started your period and dont have something to use for the blood, try not to worry. You can fashion a temporary pad out of toilet paper to hold things over until youre able to get a proper pad or tampon.
Heres how:
If youre at school, you may consider asking your teacher or nurse for a pad or tampon. Theyve been asked before trust us.
Your first period may only last a couple of days. Your first period . .
It may take a couple of months for your period to settle into a regular schedule and consistency.
Once it does, your period may last anywhere from two to seven days each month.
Although a persons first few periods are often light bringing a few spots of red-brown blood throughout the week you may have a heavier flow.
Your monthly period will follow a more consistent pattern once your hormones stabilize.
Heavier bleeding isnt necessarily cause for concern. But if you feel like youre losing too much blood, tell your guardian or talk to the school nurse.
You should also tell a trusted adult if you:
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When Does Menopause Occur
Most women reach menopause between 45-55 years of age, and the average age for women in Australia to reach menopause is 51-52 years. Some women will have a later menopause, at up to 60 years of age, especially if there is a family history of late menopause.
Menopause sometimes occurs earlier than expected as a result of cancer treatment, surgery or unknown causes. This is discussed further in ‘Causes of menopause’.
When Do Periods Stop
Your periods will continue until you reach the menopause, which usually happens when you are in your late 40s to mid-50s. In the UK the average age of menopause is 51.
Your periods may start to become less frequent over a few months or years before stopping altogether. In some cases they can stop suddenly.
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Further Reading For Girls
- “Susan’s Growing Up” is a picture book about periods that has been specially developed for people with learning disabilities. It’s from the Books Beyond Words series from the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
- “The Period Book: Everything You Don’t Want to Ask “ by Karen Gravelle, and published by Piatkus, is a well-known book for any girl approaching puberty. It explains what to expect and how to cope with periods.
Page last reviewed: 05 August 2019 Next review due: 05 August 2022
Skin Issues Before Periods
Many women experience acne before their period. This is also one of the most significant signs of a period coming soon. As per a study, the reason behind these breakouts is the slight increase in the production of androgen , which stimulates sebum production in the body. An excess of sebum in the body results in acne and breakouts. This acne usually dissipates after the menstrual cycle.
Also read: How to use Cinnamon for periods
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What If My Period Doesnt Come Or If It Starts When I Am Very Young
If you have not had a first period by the age of 15, or its been more than two to three years since your breasts started developing and you have not had a period, its best to talk to your doctor. If you get your period very young, at nine or ten it is usually just simply that you developed early. However, its a good idea to see your doctor to rule out other underlying medical conditions.
When Will A Pregnancy Test Appear Positive
If you are trying to get pregnant and you miss a period, you are naturally excited, yet there is no way to know for sure until you take a pregnancy test. However, there are several symptoms that are suggestive of pregnancy, including breast tenderness, nausea, and bloating. Keep in mind, these can also be premenstrual signs.
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Missed Period Or Spotting
If you have regular menstrual cycles in the past and do not experience any major change in the regular life routine such as sudden increase in your stress level, long-distance travel or consumption of large unhealthy food, then a missed period is very likely to be an unmistakable sign that you are pregnant.
Spotting or very light bleeding is also an important Symptom of pregnancy. Women are advised to confirm whether they are pregnant immediately if they see spotting. Once pregnancy is confirmed, pregnant women should seek doctors’ help immediately as spotting or very light bleeding may be a sign of miscarriage and it is therefore important to seek professional help immediately.
Calculator: Is My Menstrual Period Late
Is your period late or could you be pregnant? Use this menstrual period calculator to see if your period is late or if a baby may be the way!
Missing a period, especially if you always had regular menstrual periods, is a significant event, so naturally, the next question that follows is, “Am I pregnant?” Pregnant women have no menstrual period. But not every woman who misses her period is pregnant.
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What Is A First Period Quiz
It is a questionary designed to identify and detect the signs of your first ever menstrual cycle. It helps people who ask, When will I get my first period? by analyzing their body, age, and pubertal development.
The test cares about your feelings, too. For example, being moody or asking questions like Why am I so tired? affect the results.
When To Speak With A Doctor
People may wish to see a healthcare professional if they have PMS symptoms that affect their daily life, if the symptoms occur outside of their period, or if they experience any sudden or dramatic changes to PMS or period symptoms.
If a person expects to have a period, but it does not arrive, it is best to speak with a healthcare professional about the potential causes. They may recommend a pregnancy test if someone could be pregnant or other tests if pregnancy is not the cause.
Heavy bleeding and severe abdominal cramping can indicate pregnancy complications, such as pregnancy loss or ectopic pregnancy. Contact a provider immediately if a pregnant person experiences any of the following symptoms:
- heavy bleeding
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You Have Menstrual Cramps
Looking for signs your period is coming tomorrow? Menstrual cramps are a pretty good indicator. Period-related stomach cramps are most likely caused by prostaglandins, hormone-like substances that tell your uterine muscles to contract during your period, Dr. Kallen explains. Sometimes, those contracting muscles can create pain that radiates to your lower back.
Some people are more likely than others to experience these kinds of symptoms in the lead up to their period. One study on more than 3,000 women, published in the Journal of Womens Health, found that those with higher levels of inflammation in the body during their monthly flow were more likely to experience cramps and back pain.
But dont always dismiss cramping as something thats just part and parcel of having a period. If youre experiencing pain that stops you from going about your day, speak to a health care professional. They can help you find ways to feel better and make sure the pain is not due to any other problem. Severe lower back pain and cramping may even be associated with an underlying health condition, like endometriosis or uterine fibroids, says Dr. Kallen.
What If I Forget To Remove My Tampon
If you forget to remove your tampon, it can turn sideways or become compressed at the top of your vagina. This can make it difficult for you to pull it out. If you think you’ve left a tampon in and you can’t get it out, go to your GP or nearest sexual health clinic. They can remove it for you.
Read the full answer to What if I forget to remove my tampon?
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Analyze Your Age And Body
You should expect your first period at around the age of 12.5. . But it can happen anywhere between the age of 10 to 16or even earlier or later.
Doctors suggest that having a healthy body affects your first menses. Having a weak body or struggling with certain conditions might postpone your bleeding.
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Health Conditions That Can Make Breast Pain Worse
If you suffer from
- Fibrocystic breast disease
then you are more likely to get breast swelling. Although most women will experience some breast tenderness leading up to their periods, risk factors may include
- a family history of breast tenderness before or during periods
- a high-fat diet
- too much caffeine .
Most of the time breast pain will go away by the time your period is over. However, if you notice any other symptoms, such as those listed below, see your doctor:
- Bloody or clear discharge from the nipple
- A new lump that does not go away after your period
- Persistent and unexplained pain
- Redness, pus around the nipple, or fever, all of which could indicate an infection.
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What Are The Hormonal Changes During Perimenopause
The hormonal changes you experience during perimenopause are mostly caused by declining estrogen levels. Your ovaries make estrogen, which plays a vital role in maintaining the reproductive system. Once you enter perimenopause, your estrogen levels start to decrease. As estrogen decreases, it throws off the balance with progesterone, another hormone produces by the ovaries. These two hormones together are responsible for ovulation and menstruation. Its common for hormone levels to fluctuate during perimenopause to go up and down like a rollercoaster.
When you reach menopause, your body makes so little estrogen that your ovaries no longer release eggs. At this point, you stop having your period.
Health Conditions That Can Increase Back Pain During Your Period
There are certain medical conditions that can make back pain during your period worse, including:
- Endometriosis
- Adenomyosis
- Back conditions or injuries.
If your lower back pain is so severe you cannot perform daily activities, consult your doctor to determine the cause and the appropriate form of treatment for your personal situation.
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Health Conditions That Can Make Acne Around Menstruation Worse
Acne can also be a symptom of . Consider talking to your doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms in addition to acne:
- irregular or no periods
- excessive hair growth on the face, chest, back or rear
- weight gain
- hair loss or thinning hair
- struggling to conceive if you are trying to get pregnant.
Causes Of Period Pain
During your period, the uterus contracts to help the lining shed. This contraction compresses the blood vessels in the lining, temporarily cutting off the blood and oxygen supply to your uterus. The lack of oxygen in the tissues of your uterus causes chemicals to be released that can trigger pain.
The body also releases prostaglandins, chemicals which encourage the uterus muscles to contract even more, which can also cause pain.
Its possible that some women feel more pain than others due to a build-up of prostaglandins, which make the contractions stronger.
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What Happens At Menopause
Women are born with about a million eggs in each ovary. By puberty about 300,000 eggs remain, and by menopause there are no active eggs left.
On average, a woman in Australia will have 400-500 periods in her lifetime. From about 35-40 years of age, the number of eggs left in your ovaries decreases more quickly and you ovulate less regularly until your periods stop. Menopause means the end of ovulation.