How Long Does The First Period Last + How Much Time Does It Take For The First Period To Get Stabilised
When a girl receives her first period , the flow is usually heavy for the first few days and lighter towards the end. The first period can last for two days or for maximum of seven days, and in certain cases, there is no bleeding but only blood spots. The first few periods can be red, brown or pink in colour and can even be clumpy at times. The first period is usually different from the rest of the menstrual cycle and the flow keeps getting denser with time.
It takes about two years for the period cycle to get stabilised after girls get their first period. Menses in the starting are irregular because the reproductive hormones take time in getting balanced inside the body and keep fluctuating during different menstrual cycles. During the beginning of menstruation, the hormones are not stable and which is why ovulation does not occur during each cycle. The process of ovulation occurs in 2 per 10 cycles which leads to irregular periods. Accordingly, the menstrual cycle is expected to get stabilized by the sixth year because the ovulation happens in 9 out of 10 cycles and the periods tend to become regular.
The first few menstrual cycles can range between 21-45 days and can become shorter or longer depending upon the hormones in the body. An average period cycle ranges in between 24-38 and girls start experiencing normal period cycles by the third year.
When Should You Call A Doctor
The CDC urges those who have or may have COVID-19 to watch for emergency warning signs and seek medical care immediately if they experience symptoms including:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone
This list is not all possible symptoms, the CDC states. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.
You can also notify the operator that you believe you or someone you are caring for has COVID.
Is Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Serious
Heavy menstrual bleeding can be serious if you lose so much blood that you show signs of anemia. Anemia is a condition arising from having too little iron in your body. Anemia can be life-threatening without treatment.
Also, some of the conditions that can cause heavy period bleeding, like cancer, require early medical intervention. Speak with your healthcare provider to discuss any risks related to your period bleeding.
Recommended Reading: Could I Be Pregnant And Still Have A Regular Period
Changes In Your Periods
Your periods can change for example, they may last longer or get lighter. This does not necessarily mean theres a problem, but it does need to be investigated.
You can see your GP, or visit your nearest womens clinic or contraceptive clinic.
Bleeding between periods, bleeding after having sex, or bleeding after the menopause needs to be checked by a doctor.
It might be caused by an infection, abnormalities in the neck of the womb or, in rare cases, it could be cancer.
You could be pregnant if you miss a period and youve had sex. See your GP if youve taken a pregnancy test and the result is negative and youve missed 3 consecutive periods.
They will investigate the cause and recommend any necessary treatment.
Why Hormonal Contraceptives Make Periods Lighter
The patch, pill and ring are designed to be used for three weeks, each with one week off. During the week off, you usually have withdrawal bleeding, which resembles a period. Withdrawal bleeding is a result of the sudden drop in hormones. Its different from a true period, which comes 10-14 days after ovulation.
Some people take the pill, patch or ring continuously, without the hormone-free week. If you do this, you probably wont have any bleeding at all. If youre interested in skipping the withdrawal bleeding, ask your doctor whether continuous hormonal birth control is safe for you.
If youre on injectable contraceptives or using a hormonal implant or IUD, your periods may be lighter, too the result of the thinning of mucous membrane that lines the uterus.
Recommended Reading: Can I Be Pregnant On My Period
What Will My First Period Feel Like
You may find your first period comes and goes with very little in the way of symptoms, or you may find you experience quite a bit of discomfort. Common symptoms include:
- Cramping in the lower abdomen
- Breast tenderness
- Diarrhea or nausea
- Dizziness
Most of these symptoms do not last long, and can be treated with ibuprofen or other over-the-counter pain relief medications. A heating pad or hot water bottle on the abdomen or lower back can help ease pain in these areas. More details on menstrual pain and other symptoms can be found here .
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.
Also Check: Can You Still Be Pregnant After A Period
How Do I Calculate My Menstrual Cycle
The first day of your menstruation is your LMP . It is important you monitor and chart your cycle every month. Between 2 of your LMP is the menstrual cycle or period cycle.
For example, the first day you saw your period last was 28th July, 2015. This implies that your LMP is 28th July. If your next period is 27th August, then your menstrual cycle is 30 days.
What To Expect From Periods After Delivery
First postpartum periods appear for everyone differently. It is evident that your body has been tremendous changes through the course of pregnancy and would require time to readjust. Coming back to normalcy will be a gradual process. Until then, the natural biological processes will affect your body somewhat uniquely.
Since your body is again adjusting to the process of menstruation after a lengthy gap, you can expect some changes. Some top changes include:
- Heavy menstruation after pregnancy
- Increase in pain
- Irregular periods
The majority of differences in your periods after pregnancy is due to the extra collection of uterine lining that needs to shed. Due to this extra lining, you are likely to experience intense pain and cramping. With time, these symptoms will reduce and your body will get back to normal.
A variety of health concerns prior to pregnancy can affect your postpartum periods. For instance, if you were suffering from thyroid, you are likely to experience a heavier flow.On the other hand, if you were suffering endometriosis before pregnancy, your first period after pregnancy may be lighter.
Also Check: First Period After Iud Removal Heavy
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.
Recommended Reading: New Hire 90 Day-probationary Period Template
Does This Mean I Can Get Pregnant
Yes. Itâs also important to know that pregnancy is possible even if you havenât had your first period yet. The way the cycle works means someone can be fertile before they ever get their period : ovulation and the growth of the uterine lining both happen in the weeks leading up to menstruation. Safe, protected sex is important, whenever you choose to have it.
Itâs possible to become pregnant even if you havenât had your first period yet.
Don’t Miss: What Does A Missed Period Mean
How Long Does Your First Period Last Here’s What To Expect
When youre expecting your first period, educating yourself on whats about to go down is a great way to relieve pre-period stress. One of the biggest questions you might have is: How long does a first period last?! Is it going to be forever? Dont panic! It wont a We talked to Dr. Mary Jane Minkin, MD about what happens down there when you get your first period and how that determines how long your first menstrual cycle may last.
Dr. Minkin is a clinical professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences at the Yale University School of Medicine. She is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology, and practices at Yale-New Haven Hospital. Dr. Minkin also runs her website and blog, Madame Ovary, in hopes of educating women and physicians on important womens health issues.
We asked Dr. Minkin how long a first period usually lasts. She said that the length usually varies from person to person. But the first few periods are likely to be erratic in both timing and flow characteristics. She further explained:
Its ovulation that creates regularity. So, while your body prepares to begin the ovulation process, your first few periods might fluctuate in flow and length, and may not necessarily predict how your future periods will behave. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists reports that the first period can last anywhere from 2 to 7 days.
What Will My First Period 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 regular blood. First periods sometimes show up as a thick, dark smear in your underwear. The colour can definitely be a lot different than what youâd expect, ranging from deep red, to maroon, brown or even black. This happens because blood changes colour over time â sometimes your period blood has been waiting in your uterus or vagina for a while before it comes out, so it isnât the colour of fresh blood like youâd see if you cut your skin . The colour doesnât mean anything in terms of your health, so just know that if you see brown stuff in your underwear, itâs probably your period.
Read Also: What To Do To Relieve Period Cramps
When Do Most Girls Get Their Period
Most girls get their first period when they’re around 12. But getting it any time between age 10 and 15 is OK. Every girl’s body has its own schedule.
There isn’t one right age for a girl to get her period. But there are some clues that it will start soon:
- Most of the time, a girl gets her period about 2 years after her breasts start to develop.
- Another sign is vaginal discharge fluid that a girl might see or feel on her underwear. This discharge usually begins about 6 months to a year before a girl gets her first period.
Question: My Eight Year Old Daughter Had Some Blood In Her Knickers Last Night There’s No Sign She’s Scratched And Cut Her Vagina It Wasn’t Much Blood But She Also Had A Sore Tummy Could It Be Her Period At Such A Young Age She’s An Active Girl And Weighs About 33kg And Shows No Signs Of Going Through Puberty I Haven’t Spoken To Her About Masturbation Could That Bring On Any Blood I Got My Period At Age 14 Does That Have Any Thing To Do With When A Daughter Of Mine Will Get Her Period Or Is It True That Diet Etc These Days Affects The Age Of Puberty Thanks From A Worried Mum
Dr. Farah Kroman: The average age when girls start there period is between 11 and 13 but it can start a little earlier. 8 would be quite young and as you say, there are usually other signs of puberty well before the period starts. This is actually something that’s worth getting checked with your GP so that your little one can be examined, particularly if it happens again. Good Luck!
Don’t Miss: What To Eat To Get Heavy Period
Jillian Michaels: 5 Ways To Control Pms
Open the Lines of Communication
Instead of having a formal menstruation “talk” with your daughter, try opening up the dialogue and, openly and honestly, asking your daughter about her questions.
Here are some suggestions for answering your daughter’s questions about menstruation:
The more information that you share with your daughter about periods and PMS symptoms, the more comfortable and prepared she will feel as her body grows and changes.
Rinse Asap And Be Thorough
When youre finished with a pair, rinse in cold water immediately. You should keep rinsing until the water runs clear.
Waiting to rinse your period underwear can cause some problems. They will be harder to clean, and the blood could encourage bacterial growth that may make the fibers break down faster.
Don’t Miss: How To Stop Heart Palpitations During Period
Getting Your Periods After Delivery
During the 9 months of your gestation, there is a break in the process of menstruation. It is a matter of simple biology that while you are hosting a fetus in your womb, you will not have periods. For most women, this gap is welcomed with a sense of relief. Thanks to pregnancy you dont have to worry about staining your trousers or deal with premenstrual syndrome for several months.
Nonetheless, periods after delivery make a comeback and it is, often, unpleasant. You should aware of first menstruation after pregnancy in advance to avoid any additional discomfort.
Recommended Reading: How To Get Period Blood Out Of Blanket
Is There A Need To See A Doctor
Although it is not necessary to visit a doctor, it is highly recommended to at least once visit a specialist . The first period is the right time to have some initial consultations, checkups.
Apart from medical help, it may be a good learning experience for girls and to ask various questions about body, sex, and much more.
In some cases, it may be necessary to visit a specialist immediately, like, if the first period continues for more than seven days. Or if there is too much bleeding causing dizziness or extreme weakness. Other reasons for a visit could be if periods keep coming in less than 21 days or more than 45 days apart.
Foul smell or pain that is not relieved by commonly used medications are other reasons for a doctors visit.
Specialists recommend visiting a specialist if a first period does not come before 15 years of age, as it may say about some severe hormonal issues. Fortunately, many hormonal problems can be treated with great success these days.
As time goes by, girls need to learn more about premenstrual syndrome . These are a group of symptoms that occur before and during the periods. Some of PMS signs are bloating, breast tenderness, mood swings, changes in the skin, loss of interest in sex, and so on.
Finally, the first period is also a time for learning more about sexual health, pregnancy, and other similar topics. It is also vital to know more about contraception methods that are available for girls.
References
Recommended Reading: Can Starting Birth Control Make Your Period Late
Will I Have Periods Forever
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.
Question: Hi Im 15 Now And Still Haven’t Gotten My Period All My Friends Have There Period And I Haven’t 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 I’m 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.
You May Like: Does The Copper Iud Stop Periods