How Do You Know If Your Getting Your First Period

Am I Old Enough For Tampons

5 Signs Your FIRST Period is Coming! (how to tell) | Just Sharon

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.

How Much Blood You’ll Lose

There is also a great range in how much blood flow each woman loses during her period. You may have a heavy flow and need to change your pad or tampon frequently. Or you may have a light flow with barely any blood loss.

Usually, your flow will be heaviest at the beginning of your period. It may start out light, get heavier, and then get lighter again until it’s over. It’s also common to see some small clots or pieces of tissue in your menstrual blood. Most women’s periods last from 3 to 7 days.

Are There Other Period Symptoms

Besides tracking the timing of your cycle, some people also know a period is near when they develop certain symptoms that are caused by the menstrual cycle hormones. The most common symptoms reported before a period include bloating, moodiness, food cravings, breast tenderness, headache or menstrual cramps. Within a day or two after the period begins, the symptoms disappear naturally. If you experience some or all of these symptoms before most of your periods, itâs called Premenstrual Syndrome or PMS.

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Should I Watch For Any Problems

Most girls don’t have any problems with their periods. But call your doctor if you:

  • are 15 and haven’t started your period
  • have had your period for more than 2 years and it still doesn’t come regularly
  • have bleeding between periods
  • have severe cramps that don’t get better with ibuprofen or naproxen
  • have very heavy bleeding
  • have periods that last more than about a week
  • have severe PMS that gets in the way of your everyday activities

How Can I Help My Teenager Through Their First Period

Talking about First Period

When a child gets their first period, its the mark of a very important milestone in their life. However, it can also be painful. To ease your child through their period pains, here are several things you can do to help:

  • Place a heating pad on their back or stomach. A warm towel is also just as good.
  • Give them a lower-back massage.
  • Over-the-counter pain medicine can keep the pain away for a few hours. Stick to basic naproxen and acetaminophen brands.
  • Run them a hot bath. This will help their muscles relax.

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Tampon Absorbency And What Is Right For You

Another thing that can vary is the color of the blood on your tampon or pad. Sometimes the blood from your period can be a dark, rust-like color. Other times it can be a bright red color.

The color may vary according to where you are in your period or the heaviness of your flow. Pay attention to the rhythm of your body, so you’ll know what is normal for you in terms of flow, cycle and period length, and color of your blood.

Why Did My Daughter Get Her Period So Early

Each girl is different, and everyones bodies develop at their own unique pace. So, there isnt a specific time a young girl should get her period. But there are several factors that can trigger a girls period, including weight and how active a child is. These things can set off certain hormones that may cause a girl to start her period. Some girls get theirs between 11 and 14 years old, while others start at nine. Others may experience precocious puberty and get their periods even earlier.

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Periods And Additional Needs

Periods can be especially challenging for young people with additional needs and their parents. If your child has moderate to severe intellectual disability, they might not understand why theyre experiencing changes to their body and mood.

Your child still needs to know about periods and the menstrual cycle at a level they can understand. Your GP, or other health professionals involved in your childs care, can recommend resources you can use with your child, like books and visual aids. You could also speak to your childs school about support.

Your Daughters First Period: Help Them Be Ready

How to Tell Your Period Is Coming | First Period Signs!

Many women probably remember when and where they got their first period. A lot of us probably also wish wed been a little more prepared.

If your daughter is approaching their first period, how can you help them be ready without embarrassing them — and yourself? Make an action plan so youre both ready.

Confront concerns. Your daughter is probably wondering what her period will feel like, how long it will last, and how she can take care of herself each month. Let her know that asking questions is OK, says pediatrician Cara Natterson, MD.

You can start with the basics: Explain that their first few periods will most likely be light, and they might not be regular in the beginning. The blood might be red, brown, or even blackish, and they should change their pad every 4 to 6 hours.

Dads, if this topic is outside your comfort zone, ask an older daughter or female relative to bring it up. Your daughter might be just as uncomfortable talking with you about their period as you are.

Make a period kit. Many girls fear theyll get their first period at school or when theyre away from home. To help your daughter feel ready, buy a small zippered pouch and stock it with a couple of teen-size sanitary pads and a clean pair of underwear, Natterson says. Tell your daughter to keep the pouch with them at all times, and keep one with you, too, just in case.

Continued

See a doctor sooner if:

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Keeping Track Of Periods

Its good for your child to keep track of their periods with an app, calendar or diary. If your childs periods are fairly regular, an app or calendar can help your child know when their period is likely to come. This way your child can prepare for things like sleepovers, school camps or swimming carnivals.

Breast Pain And Swelling

Do you experience increased pain in your breast before your period starts? Do you notice your breasts are slightly larger before your period?

Before period, some women may experience breast pain and swelling. This is a sign of period coming soon. Some women may have a lump in their breast that disappears after period starts.

Changes in the breast before your period is due to the effect of hormones. Hormones Estrogen and progesterone, will cause your ducts to enlarge and your glands to swell.

In women with a 28-day menstrual cycle, breast tenderness usually occurs 4 days before period .

What to do?

  • Drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen can ease your breast pain
  • If your breast pain is persistent, you should talk to your doctor

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Which Product Should I Use

You have a choice of products, take your time finding the right one. We explain more about the product options below.Can I go swimming or play sports?Yes! Some menstrual products let you exercise, swim and play sports as usual. Menstrual cups are one of the most popular among active people with periods. Here are some good reasons you should exercise during your period.

Will I Have Periods Forever

This Quiz Will Tell You When You Will Get Your First ...

You wont have a period for the rest of your life, but youll probably have it for quite some time.

Most people will have a menstrual period until they go through menopause. Menopause occurs when the hormones that increased to trigger your first period begin to decrease.

Menopause typically begins between ages 45 to 55.

Stress and other underlying conditions can also cause your period to stop.

If you begin experiencing any unusual symptoms alongside a missed period, talk to a doctor or other healthcare provider.

If you want to stop having a period, you may consider talking to your healthcare provider about hormonal birth control.

Certain forms allow you to skip your period whenever you like or stop it entirely.

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Frequently Asked Questions Expand All

If these problems do not go away after treatment or if you cannot go to school or do your normal activities, you should talk to your doctor.

  • What is amenorrhea?

    Amenorrhea means not having a period. It is normal for some girls not to start their periods until age 16 years. But you should see your doctor if you have not started your period by age 15 years. You also should see your doctor if you have started your period but it then stops for more than 3 months.

  • What if I am having heavy bleeding?

    If you are bleeding so much that you need to change your pad or tampon every 12 hours or if your period lasts for more than 7 days, you should see your doctor. See your doctor right away if you are light-headed, dizzy, or have a racing pulse.

  • What if I have irregular periods?

    You should tell your doctor if your periods are usually regular but then become irregular for several months. You also should see your doctor if your period comes more often than every 21 days or less often than every 45 days.

  • Article continues below

    What Can I Do For Cramps

    If cramps bother you, you can:

    • Take a pain reliever. Talk to your mom or dad or your doctor about which medicine is best for you. They can help you figure out how much to take and how often.
    • Exercise! Being physically active can ease cramps, probably because exercise releases endorphins, which are chemicals in the body that make you feel good.
    • Get warm. Try placing a warm water bottle, warm heating pad, or warm compress on your belly or take a warm bath.

    If these tips dont help, talk to your parent or your doctor about other treatments.

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    When To Go To The Doctor

    Some Medical Terms

    A girl’s first menstruation is called menarche. This is pronounced MEN-arc or MEN-arc-y. When a girl passes certain milestones in her development, but does not start having periods, this is called Primary Amenorrhea. This is pronounced A-men-or-rea or Ah-men-or-rea. The word primary is the part that means the girl has never had a period. The amenorrhea part means lack of periods . This is to distinguish it from Secondary Amenorrhea, which is when a woman has had periods and then stops.

    The Standards For Going To The Doctor

    These standards were developed long ago. Meanwhile the average age of puberty and menarche has dropped. So, Estronaut’s opinion is that checking with a doctor a year or so earlier is not a bad idea. Also, girls of African descent mature sooner than Europeans, by about a year. So, these girls should substract another year.

    On age alone: Age 15 1/2 to 16 1/2 for whites, age 14 1/2 to 15 1/2 for blacks.

    If no breast or hair development: Age 13 to 14 for whites, age 12 to 13 for blacks.

    If there is breast development or hair two years after either of these started.

    Your First Period Guide: Age Symptoms Duration & More

    what to expect when you get your FIRST PERIOD – a guide to your first period!

    If youâre looking to learn more about when to expect a first period or how to manage it, congratulations on being prepared! Knowing what to expect when getting your period and having accurate information can really increase confidence and decrease worries as puberty progresses and first periods arrive! So whether youâre preparing for your first period or youâve already started and just want to learn more about it, weâve got you covered.

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    Is A Cycle Always 28 Days

    The average cycle is 28 days but, for some women, it is as short as 21 days, for others it is as long as 35 days. When you first start having periods, it can also take a while before your periods develop a regular pattern. Your cycle also changes as you get older.

    Your menstruation cycle stops temporarily when you are pregnant. Breastfeeding also affects your cycle. At the end of menopause, your cycle stops permanently.

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    When Do Tweens/teens Get Their First Period

    The age of your first period differs, but most people get it between 12 and 13. Dr. Leigh R. Meltzer, OB/GYN with Indiana University Health Physicians in Carmel, IN, tells Scary Mommy that the age range can widely vary, with tweens or teens typically getting their period about two to two and a half years after the first signs of puberty. As for what those pubescent indicators are, Meltzer says about 85 percent of females notice breast growth or changes while 15 percent see the onset of pubic hair. A period is considered abnormally early if you see signs before the age of eight and abnormally late after age 16.

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    What Is Toxic Shock Syndrome

    Toxic shock syndrome is a rare infection that can happen to girls who use tampons. If tampon is left in too long, it gives germs a chance to grow and cause infection. So it’s very important that you change your tampon at least every 4-6 hours, even if your period is light.

    Symptoms of toxic shock syndrome are a high fever, vomiting or diarrhea, severe muscle aches, weakness, dizziness, or a rash that looks like a sunburn. If you use tampons and get any of these symptoms, take out the tampon and tell an adult immediately. Have someone take you to the nearest emergency department as soon as possible.

    How Do I Test My Cervical Mucus

    My Complete Lack of Boundaries.: Go get a coffee and come ...

    Watching the changes in the amount and consistency of your cervical mucus can help you understand your cycle. Heres how it works: check your secretions before and after urinating by wiping with toilet paper. Alternatively you can insert a clean finger into your vagina to obtain a sample of mucus. Observe the consistency of the mucus, and use this chart to identify where you are in your cycle. Your mucus can be cloudy, white, yellowish, or clear. It can have either a sticky or stretchy consistency. Use your thumb and forefinger to see if the mucus stretches.

    Cycle timing
    No noticeable mucus Not fertile

    You are most fertile on the days when you have abundant, stretchy mucus. This is not a foolproof method to prevent pregnancy.

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