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 Do I Manage Symptoms
If your cramps are bothering you, there are a few remedies that can help:
- Take a warm bath.
- Place a heating pad or warm washcloth on your belly.
- Take medicines that contain ibuprofen or naproxen .
Dont take aspirin for your cramps unless your provider says its OK. Aspirin has been linked to a rare condition calledReyes syndromein people under 18.
Your Birth Control Warns You
If youre using Natural Cycles as birth control, youll get regular updates about the changes happening in your cycle, including when your period is due. NC° Birth Control has two parts: an app and a thermometer. The app learns the pattern of your cycle based on the readings from the basal body thermometer. Its possible to measure ovulation with temperature readings and thats how Natural Cycles can identify where you are in your cycle. So as well as learning the signs your period is coming through noticing changes in your body, youll get in-app updates too!
Did you know that if youre using hormonal birth control you dont really get periods? Instead, methods like the birth control pill often cause a certain type of spotting called a withdrawal bleed. Since you dont ovulate on hormonal birth control, this isnt technically a period, but rather a symptom of changing hormone levels.
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How Long Are You Supposed To Have Discharge Before You Start Your Period
Girls usually start getting their menstruation a year or two after their breasts begin to develop.
They can experience white discharge for a couple of months before they actually start to bleed. You can also see some white discharge every month before periods that could be of varying consistency, colour, and odour.
How Long Does A Woman Usually Have Periods
On average, women get a period for about 40 years of their life.6,7 Most women have regular periods until perimenopause, the time when your body begins the change to menopause. Perimenopause, or transition to menopause, may take a few years. During this time, your period may not come regularly. Menopause happens when you have not had a period for 12 months in a row. For most women, this happens between the ages of 45 and 55. The average age of menopause in the United States is 52.
Periods also stop during pregnancy and may not come back right away if you breastfeed.
But if you dont have a period for 90 days , and you are not pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor or nurse. Your doctor will check for pregnancy or a health problem that can cause periods to stop or become irregular.
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Causes For An Irregular Period
Dr. Jones:
So whats abnormal menstruation? And that would be periods that occur less than 21 days or more than 35 days apart. If you miss your periods for more than three cycles, flow thats much heavier or lighter than usual, periods that last longer than seven days, periods that are accompanied by severe pain, cramping or nausea or bleeding or spotting that happens between your periods or with sex.
You said they came two weeks early. Now, that would be probably less than 21 days, so it means this period was abnormal. But you dont have to see a doctor for this unless it happens all the time or unless youre pregnant. So what do you have to see a doctor for?
Signs That Indicate Your First Period Is Coming
Except the quizzes above, you may rely on the following signs to understand if your period is coming or not.
1. Breast Development
Breast development is the first sign of a girls period. It starts as breast buds grow from raised nipples as a result of developing fat, tissue and milk glands in the body. It usually takes 4 years to have fully developed breast. Once the development starts, period generally occurs 1 to 3 years later.
2. Hair Growth
Excessive body hair begins to develop either before or after the appearance of breast buds. Pubic hair will start to grow in the area below the lower abdomen and between the legs. Initially, the hair is soft and thin, which gradually become coarse and curly. A period generally starts 1 or 2 years after the development of pubic hair.
3. Vaginal Discharge
Doing the when will I get my first period quiz and informed of the signs of an impending period, you can calculate when your period is going to occur. Then the next step is to get yourself well-prepared.
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Can Early Pregnancy Symptoms Be The Same As Period Symptoms
It is easy to confuse early pregnancy and the symptoms of your menstrual cycle, which is usually referred to as your period. There are many similarities in these symptoms. Both may be uncomfortable or painful.
It may be difficult to know if youâre pregnant because early pregnancy symptoms are so similar to period symptoms. If you were not planning a pregnancy, you may go months without knowing that youâre pregnant. This is why itâs helpful to know the differences and similarities of early pregnancy and period symptoms.
What is pregnancy?
Pregnancy is the period of time when your baby develops in your womb. Pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks, or about 9 months. It is broken up into three trimesters.
There are different expectations for each trimester. Some people may not know that theyâre pregnant during their first trimesters.
What is a period?
Your uterine lining thickens each month to prepare for a pregnancy. When that doesnât happen, the lining is shed. Womenâs cycles and flows are all unique.
Question: Hi Im 15 Now And Still Havent Gotten My Period All My Friends Have There Period And I Havent I Have Spoken To My Mum About It And She Has Said Not To Worry And I Will Get It Eventually However I Just Want To Know If This Is Normal I Have Had Discharge For At Least A Year And Some Days It Even Feels Like Im Getting My Period But Its Just Discharge Help
Dr. Farah Kroman:Even though 12 is the average age for your periods to start, the normal range is between 11 and 16 years old. The age you start depends a lot on your genetics and also your body mass index. Ask you mum when she started her periods. Are you quite slim or do you play a lot of sport? In any case, you shouldnt worry until you are at least 16. In fact, enjoy your period free time! If you are very worried, it certainly wouldnt hurt to see your family doctor just for a general check up and to ask any more questions you might have. As hard as it is to not compare yourself to other girls your age, remember that every girl develops in her own time.
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You’re Moody Anxious Or Emotional
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:
8 sourcescollapsed
- Bai, G., et al. . Associations between nausea, vomiting, fatigue and health-related quality of life of women in early pregnancy: The generation R study.
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Youre Having Mood Swings
Ever find that you go fromangry outbursts to anxiety attacks, then back to feeling emotionally stable all in one day? If you notice your emotions are more intense than normal, this could also be a sign that your period is coming soon.
Emotional symptoms are thought to be connected to the rise and fall of hormones particularly the dip in estrogen, which can make us feel low and irritable. Some people may also be more susceptible to PMS due to underlying mood conditions or genetic factors, says Dr. Kallen.
But if your PMS symptoms are intense and interfere with your daily life, it may be a sign of premenstrual dysphoric disorder , a severe form of PMS. This often manifests in the form of anxiety or depression around the time of your period, and you can read more about the differences between PMS and PMDD here.
You Started Puberty About 2
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First Menstruation: Average Age And Physical Signs
When will girls get their first period? The ages vary, but there are two signs of puberty that generally precede first menstruation.
Physical Signs That Precede First Menstruation
While girls vary in the ages that they are when they start their periods and when the other signs of puberty occur, the order is fairly consistent. The two things that are most closely tied to the age when a girl starts her periods, that she can readily assess herself are: first real bra and armpit hair. A “real” bra means one with a cup size attached to it, as opposed to small, medium, large distinctions. Armpit hair is self-explanatory. Any amount will do. At this point, a girl will probably start her periods within 3-6 months, if she hasn’t already.
It also occurs right after the growth spurt of adolescence. So, if a girl grew, grew, grew, last year and has slowed down then periods are right around the corner.
Average Ages And Average Time Between Stages
Take this as the starting point or adolescence. Here is the sequence and time frame of events for an average girl. The girl will also begin her growth spurt about this time. She will notice pubic hair about 6 months later. About 6 months after that she will be in her peak growth spurt, growing faster that she ever has. She will probably get her first training bra at this time. About a year after all this , she will get a real bra and armpit hair. First period will come about 4 months before or after these events.
Youre Craving Certain Foods
While it can be a source of comfort to reach for the chocolate box in the days before our periods, theres a perfectly scientific reason for craving certain foods. Once again it all comes down to changes in hormone levels. These hormonal fluctuations can make us crave sweet or salty foods and can affect our appetite at different points in the cycle too.
Sometimes a treat is exactly what we need to pick us up on those difficult days, but keep in mind that maintaining a healthy diet and drinking lots of water can reduce bloating and other PMS symptoms in the lead up to your period.
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You’ve Recently Had A Big Growth Spurt
Is There Anything I Can Look For
Probably the most reliable physical symptom of early pregnancy is a missed period. Noticing that your breasts are getting increasingly sore, or experiencing symptoms that you dont usually get around the time of your period, are also signs that you could be pregnant. But again, a blood test will be the best way to know for sure.
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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 youre 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.
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What Are The Signs You Are Getting Your Period
Women usually start noticing physical and mood changes about 1-2 weeks before period bleeding starts. Ninety percent of women have premenstrual syndrome symptoms at some point in their reproductive life. Some women have more severe PMS signs and symptoms than others.
Changing hormones are to blame for many uncomfortable or unpleasant period signs and symptoms like cramps and tender breasts. Brain chemicals are also involved, but itâs unclear to what extent.
Period signs and symptoms usually end about 3-4 days after bleeding begins.
Common signs that your period is approaching are:
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