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.
Question: I’m 14 And I Don’t Have My Period
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. When did your mum start 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!
What Is A Normal Period For A Teenager
The average menstrual cycle is about 28 days, but its also normal to get your period every 21 to 45 days. Most periods stick around fewer than seven days. Still, Meltzer adds, Almost everything to do with a teens first few years of menstruation can be considered normal. Some teens have very heavy periods, some have very light ones, and some only have one or two periods a year initially. None of that is unusual.
Getting your period can suck. A lot. Periods can be uncomfortable and painful with lots of cramping and discomfort thats all totally normal. But if you cant get out of bed because of debilitating cramping , it could be a sign of a more serious health problem. Check in with your doctor to find out whats going on.
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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.
How Do I Prepare For My First Period
There is no way to make your first period come any quicker, but you can prepare for when it does! If youve experienced some of the above signs, your period may soon start, so you may want to keep some towels in your school bag and a spare pair of knickers close just in case. It is absolutely normal to be caught off guard and leak, whether its your first period or your hundredth! Theres no need to be embarrassed as it happens to us all!
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First Period Signs And Symptoms
- Period Education Hub
In the second instalment of our First Period series, we find out what to expect and what is considered normal when it comes to first period signs and symptoms.
Getting your first period can take many young people by surprise, especially if you dont know what to expect. You might have lots of questions What does your first period look like? How long does your first period last? Everyones experience is different, however, there are some common first period signs and symptoms that will help you understand what to look out for. Our series expert, period educator Demi Spaccavento, explains some of the emotional and physical changes you might notice before and during your first period as well as whats normal and whats not.
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 .
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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
Whats Normal Whats Not
While everyones period experience is different, there is still an ideal way your period should look. If your period doesnt look like this as a teen, thats ok. It can take up to six years for our bodies to get the hang of having a regular period. Monitor your symptoms that are outside the average range, and chat with a period and hormone specialist if they continue.
You may experience tiredness, changed moods, achiness, acne, or other symptoms. Mild symptoms on or before your period are ok. Extreme versions of these symptoms are not considered ideal.
Cervical fluid is often referred to as discharge. It is a fluid that changes in consistency throughout the menstrual cycle. In the lead up to your first period, you may start seeing cervical fluid in your underwear or on toilet paper when you wipe. This is a good sign that your body is going through puberty, your hormones are changing, and your first period is on the way.
Once you get your first period, expect to see cervical fluid more often. Cervical fluid changes in its appearance throughout the menstrual cycle. It might be non-existent one day, and sticky, dry, crumbly, creamy, or stretchy another day. This is a great sign that your body is healthy! It also protects you from vaginal infections. If discharge becomes green or yellow, looks like cottage cheese or comes along with burning, itching or pain, see your doctor as this can indicate infection.
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Question: I Have Just Graduated From Grade 7 And I Don’t Have My Period Yet I Am On Christmas Holidays Now But What If Next Year When I’m In Grade 8 I Get It And I Am In School That Day Someone Might See If It Leaks Any Advice
Dr. Farah Kroman: The average age for periods to start is 12 to 13 but anywhere from 11 to 16 years is normal. Periods are often irregular for the first year or so. Be prepared – make sure you have a pad or tampon with you in your school bag in case your period starts at school. You can also start wearing a breathable liner in your underwear, just in case.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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Preparing For The First Period
The start of menstruation is a major event in a girls life. Some girls greet those first drops of blood with joy or relief, while others feel bewildered and scared. Whatever the reaction, the arrival of the first period holds the same meaning for every girl: Its proof that shes becoming a woman.
On average, most girls start their periods when theyre 12 or 13 years old . But if you wait until your daughter gets her period to talk to her about menstruation, thats too late.
So, how do you discuss menstruation and offer education, as well as guidance and support, before the big day arrives? Or, what do you tell your son? Before you can discuss menstruation, its important to have a good understanding of how the process works.
What If I Bleed Through My Clothes Are They Ruined
Not necessarily! Before we get into the nitty-gritty, know that leaks happen to everyone.
When you first start your period, youre learning about how much you bleed, how much your menstrual product can hold, and when your flow is heaviest.
If you can, keep a couple of stain wipes in your bag. They can help get the worst of the stain out and hold things over until youre able to clean the fabric properly.
You can also tie a jacket or sweatshirt around your waist to help cover the stain until youre able to change.
When you get home, try this method to get blood stains off:
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When Will I Get My Period
No one can say exactly when you’ll get your first menstrual period, but it will be sometime during puberty. Puberty is the time in your life when you begin to become an adult. This means a lot of growing and changing both inside and out.
Some girls start puberty at age 8, and others may start as late as 13 or 14. Each girl goes at her own pace. So don’t think you’re weird if you start puberty a little earlier or a little later than your friends.
At the beginning of puberty, you’ll notice that your breasts are developing and hair will start to grow on your genitals . A little later, hair also will grow under your arms.
For most girls, their first menstrual period, or menarche , begins about 2 years after she first starts to get breasts. For most girls this is around age 12. But it can be as early as age 8 or as late as 15. Talk to your doctor if your period started before age 8 or you are 15 and havent started your period.
A good sign you’re getting close to the time when your first period will arrive is if you notice a discharge coming from your vagina. It might be thin and slightly sticky or thick and gooey, and can be clear to white or off-white in color. Usually, this happens about 6 months before you get your first period.