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.
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.
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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Pads And Panty Liners
Sanitary pads are rectangular pieces of absorbent material that you stick inside your underwear.
All pads have a sticky strip on the bottom. Thats what attaches the pad to your underwear.
Some have extra material on the sides, known as wings, that you fold over the edges of your underwear. This helps keep the pad in place.
Pads typically need to be changed every four to eight hours, but there isnt a set rule. Simply change it if the material feels sticky or wet.
They come in different sizes. Each size is made to accommodate a different level of bleeding.
Generally speaking, the smaller the pad, the less blood it can hold.
Youll probably use a more absorbent pad at the beginning of your period then switch to something lighter once the bleeding slows down.
You may also find it helpful to wear a heavier pad overnight so you dont have to worry about leakage.
Even the largest pads are still quite thin, so you shouldnt be able to see it through your clothes. If youre worried that people might be able to tell, stick to looser-fit bottoms.
Panty liners are smaller, thinner versions of a sanitary pad.
You may find it helpful to use them a couple of days before your period is supposed to start to prevent accidentally bleeding on your underwear.
You may also want to use panty liners toward the end of your period, as the bleeding may be spotty and unpredictable.
How Do I Know When My Period Is Coming
There may be signs of your first period such as the breasts becoming tender and the abdomen may swell and feel uncomfortable. You might even feel tired and a bit moody and get a crampy feeling in the lower back, legs or tummy. Some girls get a bit grumpy and can get a little spotty a few days before their period is due to start. Gradually you will get to know your own signs and be prepared. It takes between 4 to 6 years for your menstrual pattern to become well established.
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What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor
Menarche is a good time to develop a relationship with a gynecologist. They can answer questions you may have about the changes youre experiencing. Questions you may ask include:
- How much bleeding is considered normal during menarche?
- When should my periods become more predictable?
- What symptoms can I manage at home?
- What symptoms require a doctors visit?
Your provider can also answer questions you may have related to pregnancy, birth control, and sexually transmitted infections .
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Menarche is an important milestone during puberty. As you adjust, pay attention to the changes youre experiencing. Most provider visits from now on will involve questions about when you had your last period and what your periods are like. This information helps your provider assess your health. Talk to your provider or an adult you trust about what menarche means regarding your health, pregnancy and safer sex practices.
First Period Signs: How To Know When Your First Period Is Coming
Well, this is a major question in this context. Previous information about the ensuing periods can help the girl as well as her parents to take preparations accordingly.
Your first period can knock your door after about an year or two of attaining puberty.
1. Changes to your nipples and breasts
The very initial symptoms of puberty are the swelling of breasts and tenderness around the nipples. Sore breasts mostly serve as the basic manifestations of puberty.
The development of breast bus indicates that your period is close by. You must note that the full development of the lobular structure of the breast might take many years from henceforth but the initiation of growth is the key indicator.
2. Appearance of pubic hair
Appearance of pubic hair is also another symptom of puberty. Generally, the appearance of genital hair is closely associated with the onset of periods.
3. Vaginal discharge
The third and the most crucial sign that your period is on the way is vaginal discharge. This discharge can be either white or yellow.
When your first period approaches, the frequency and quantum of discharge increases. Frequent vaginal discharge is indicative that you can expect your menses in the next few months.
You might switch over to use any sort of pantyliner during this time because you might stain all your panties otherwise.
4. You have PMS symptoms
You can also watch out for premenstrual syndrome approaching you before the onset of your first periods.
5. Acne
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How Can I Help My Daughter Emotionally And Physically
Reassure your daughter that no one will know she is on her period unless she chooses to tell them and its probably a good idea to tell mom. Your girl can still play sports , take a shower or bath , and even swim while on her period .
As you prepare for your daughters first period, remember that you went through this time too and make it as pleasant for her as possible!
Check out our reusable period care products to assemble your own first period kit with a few pads, hormone balancing tea, change of underwear and shorts, chocolate, and a water bottle! She may find that a heating pad is helpful. Also, our blog post, Signs Your Period Is Coming, was written specifically for your girl with everything she may want to know about how her body works and how to be prepared!
We hope that this information helps you navigate this next stage of life, for you and your daughter!
How To Know Your First Period Is Coming Soon
One of the major developmental changes that happens during puberty is menarchethe term for getting your first period. What signs can hint your first period might be coming soon? For many menstruators, puberty changes happen in roughly the same order We can use this average timeline to have an idea of what might be coming next.
Initial puberty changes often start between ages 8-13 . For most menstruators, breast budding is the first physical sign of puberty. In a minority, pubic hair and armpit hair growth develops first. Either one of these signs can tell you youve started puberty.
Following breast and pubic hair growth, teens go through a 2-3 year growth spurt. Around the end of this growth spurt is when menarche happens. Being mindful of these changes in your body can help you know what to expect next.
For example, lets say our friend Priyanka notices breast buds at age ten. A few months later, she notices that she is having hair grow in her armpits and in her pubic region. During her years of being 11 and 12, she is growing taller and starting to notice that her body shape is more like her moms than it used to be. At 12 she gets her first period.
In a different example, our friend Maria notices pubic hair for the first time at age 8, and starts wearing a camisole for some extra coverage a few months later. She grows taller and then gets her first period a few months before her tenth birthday.
Okay I got my first period, what now? When is the next one coming?
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You Have A Hard Time Falling Asleep
What Will It Be Like
Every females period is different. Periods can vary in duration, frequency, and heaviness. Some females have very light periods, while others have heavy periods.
For some, the first period is light, with a small amount of blood. It may begin gradually, starting with some spotting or brown discharge before becoming red.
For others, periods begin suddenly, with bright red blood appearing straight away. In either case, this is normal. Period blood can range in color from brown to dark red. Some people may also pass small blood clots.
Having a period can feel similar to having vaginal discharge, but some females do not feel much at all.
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How To Talk To Your Daughter About Starting Their Period
The unknown can be really scary. By speaking to your child about their period, PMS, and period products before their cycle starts, you can tackle any stigma they may have picked up and answer any questions.
Parents and caregivers should talk about periods expectations, what to do, what to expect. Emphasize that this is normal and that every goes through it, says Dr. Twogood. Encourage them to ask questions and provide solid information. If you don’t know the answer to a question, say so.
Body and period stigmas still exist in the world today, and your teen may have picked up some of this. But by speaking openly about the changes theyll go through, you can make it a positive thing. Dr. Twogood says its important to normalize periods. Avoid derogatory terms and slang that make it seem dirty or something to be ashamed of.
And you dont have to go into this conversation alone. Use educational tools to help your child understand.
Its also worth considering the practicalities. Your daughter might not be with you when they start their period, so would they like to start carrying period products, just in case? By being so open about periods, youll hopefully convey the message that periods arent something to be ashamed of. If they need to ask another person, like a teacher or a friend, for help when youre not there, then thats totally fine.
Signs Your Period Is Coming Tomorrow
Menstrual cramps are a widespread symptom before periods start. It’s the first and one of the most noticeable signs your period is coming tomorrow. Menstrual cramps typically occur in the lower part of the abdomen. They can also occur closer to your back and upper thighs.
Contents
Have you been feeling moody, sensitive, and have a slight throbbing pain in your abdomen? Women are no newbies to these symptoms as theyre some of the common signs your period is coming tomorrow. But just like anything else, even periods can be unpredictable.
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Can A Tampon Get Lost
Many girls worry the tampon might get lost inside them. Luckily, that can’t happen. The opening of the cervix is just too tiny for a tampon to get through. It can’t travel to other parts of your body, like your stomach. If you try to take out the tampon and have trouble finding the string at first, don’t worry. Relax and you’ll be able to find it. If you need help, tell a parent.
It’s possible to forget you have a tampon in and insert another one. But they still can’t get lost in your body. If this happens, just remove them as soon as possible.
Inspire And Educate Her About Periods
Inspire your daughter to read the physiology of menstruation. Only the proper scientific knowledge can impart the full knowledge of periods to young girls.
Impart the necessary sex education that is required to validate the interconnections of periods with sex. It is more than important at this time.
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Final Thoughts: Things To Keep In Mind
The bottom line is that without a blood test, its nearly impossible to know for sure whether youre pregnant or experiencing a late period. Even home pregnancy tests can sometimes give a false negative, if taken too early, so its really smart to wait to take a test until or after your expected period.
If youre paying attention to your symptoms, just know that it can get a little stressful for some women. So if you find yourself symptom spotting, try to be aware of how often you do it, and how you feel does it distract you or stress you out? If it starts to get emotionally taxing for you, look for ways to stop paying attention to your symptoms.
Finally, make sure youve scheduled a pregnancy blood test, and keep taking your prenatal vitamins! Whether its sooner or later, when you get that BFP, youll be glad you did!
When Do Teens And Preteens Typically Get Their First Periods
Adolescents usually get their first period between the ages of 10 and 15, but it can occur earlier or later. Twelve is considered an average age for menarche the start of the menstrual cycle. Some individuals may find that they begin their period around the same time that other family members had theirs, but this is not always the case.
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When To Contact A Doctor
Although it is normal for periods to be somewhat irregular to begin with, it is a good idea to talk with a doctor if they do not settle into a regular rhythm or if they cause symptoms that disrupt daily life.
The frequency and heaviness of periods, and any symptoms that accompany them, can be an important indicator of a females health.
It is a good idea for a person to talk with a doctor if they or a young female in their care experiences:
- a heavy flow that requires pad or tampon changes every 12 hours
- severe pain or mood changes that prevent normal activities
- no periods for 3 months or longer after the first period
- periods that occur sooner than 21 days apart or longer than 35 days apart
- periods that last for 7 days or longer
- no period by the age of 15 years old
Emergency medical help is necessary if someone develops any symptoms of TSS, which
Your First Period Guide: Age Symptoms Duration & More
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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Treatment For Period Discomfort
During your period, you may experience discomfort, such as cramps or headaches. Getting regular exercise and staying well hydrated may help improve these symptoms. A heating pad can also be used to help with abdominal cramps, along with over-the-counter ibuprofen.
Talk to a parent or nurse if you dont feel good before, during or after your period so you can address any discomfort.
Some girls will experience heavy bleeding, painful and often times debilitating cramps and periods that last longer than one week. Treating cramps with hormone therapy can help alleviate painful periods. Hormone therapy can also help regulate your period if you are experiencing missed periods , long periods or unpredictable bleeding .