Signs Your Daughter Is About To Start Her Period
When a young girl hits puberty, some of the classic signs include body hair, a bigger/fuller chest and an increase in sweat. For signs your daughters period may be starting, read the last bit of our most recent blog post, here.
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So basically – no, there isnt a definitive reason why someone would get their period at 7 years old. I would like to stress that its not unhealthy to get your period at a young age, its more inconvenient, sucky and annoying. However, it does draw some attention to some bigger issues, like obesity, sexual and domestic violence and the environment. The moral of the story here is we need to take care of ourselves, our loved ones, and the planet we call home!
For some extra protection when Aunt Flo next comes to town, try out a pair of our teen period panties for comfort and peace of mind.
In Your 40s And Beyond
During this decade your ovaries slow their estrogen production, so your periods may get shorter and lighter, or come less frequently. Menopause occurs when your period stops completely for 12 consecutive months. For most women, this happens in their late 40s or early 50s.
Any woman with post-menopausal bleeding should tell her doctor, who may want to evaluate her for endometrial or uterine cancer. This is a rare cancer that develops in the inner lining or muscle wall of the uterus, but it mostly occurs in women age 50 or older.
Tracking your menstrual cycle can help you determine what normal looks like for you and bring your attention to anything that might be out of whack.
My biggest advice for women is to seek a provider you trust and tell them when something changes. Dr. James says. Dont assume everything is normal, because abnormal bleeding could be related to a number of things.
My Monthly Period & Symptom Tracker
Print out our My Monthly Period & Symptom Tracker use it as an easy way to keep track of your menstrual flow, and its also a way to keep track of cramps, and/or PMS and period symptoms each month.
- Print copies of My Monthly Period & Symptom Tracker
- Simply make a check mark in the appropriate box for each day of the month. If you dont have any flow or any symptoms on any given day, leave the box empty. Refer to the Blood Flow Key at the bottom for Flow definitions.
- The dates at the top are the same as the dates in one month. Some months have 28 days, others have 30 or 31.
- Remember to bring My Monthly Period & Symptom Tracker with you to your medical appointments.
Also Check: Birth Control That Takes Away Periods
Tampons And Pads Arent Your Only Choices
You have more options to help you manage that time of the month.
A menstrual cup is a flexible cup that fits inside your vagina and collects blood during your period. Period panties are super-absorbent, and you can wear them on their own on your lighter days or with a tampon during heavier times. Reusable cloth pads can be washed and worn again.
These products can be cost-savers, since you can reuse them, and they also create less waste. In some cases, they give you more time between changes. For example, you need to change a tampon every 4 to 8 hours, but you may be able to go up to 12 hours with a menstrual cup before you empty it.
There are pros and cons to all these options, just as there are with tampons and pads. But you can find one that works best for you with some trial and error.
How Do I Deal With Pms And Cramps
PMS stands for Premenstrual Syndrome. Its when the hormones that control your menstrual cycle cause changes in your body and emotions around the time of your period.
Some of the most common PMS symptoms are:
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Cramps
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Bloating
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Breakouts
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Feeling tired
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Mood swings
Some people get PMS every time they have their periods. Others only get PMS every once in awhile. You may have all or just some PMS symptoms. And some people don’t get PMS at all. Learn more about PMS.
Cramps are one of the most common symptoms to have before/during your period. They can be super painful, or just a little annoying. You can calm cramps by taking pain medicine . Putting a heating pad where it hurts, taking a hot bath, exercising, or stretching your body can also help. Learn more about how to deal with cramps.
Certain types of birth control like the pill, shot, implant, and IUD can help with PMS and other period problems. If your PMS is so bad that its hard to do normal activities during your period, talk to an adult you trust or your family doctor. You can also call your local Planned Parenthood health center. You shouldnt have to suffer every month, and they can help you find the cause and get treatment.
Also Check: How Do I Get My Period
How Do I Use A Tampon
Inserting a tampon for the first time can be a bit of a challenge. Its hard to know exactly how to position your body and at what angle to put the tampon in. After a few tries, you will figure out what works best for you. Its best to use slender size tampons when you are learning. If you arent exactly sure where your vaginal opening is, use a mirror to have a look at your vulva .
To insert a tampon that has an applicator:
To insert a tampon without an applicator:
Irregular Menstrual Cycle And Bleeding
Some abnormalities during the reproductive years might include polyps, fibroids as well as anovulation , endometriosis andless commontumors/growths. Bleeding can also be a symptom of infection such as endometritis orpelvic inflammatory disease.
Remember, not all bleeding and irregularity is a cause for concern. For example, it is very common to have irregular bleeding with some contraception methods. Stress and other issues can also cause changes to your cycle from time to time.
Also, many women in the 20s and 30s experience painful menstrual cramps. You can treat cramps with over-the-counter pain relievers or heating pads.
Recommended Reading: Can I Get Pregnant 3 Days After My Period
African American Girls Get Earlier Periods
This is an interesting factor that hasn’t been fully explained: Race does seem to have a genuine impact on your menarche time. The difference isn’t great â in the U.S., the average age of menarche is 12.88 for white girls and 12.16 for African American girls. And statistics place the average for Hispanic girls somewhere between those two.
But why? A study in 2003 found that it didn’t have anything to do with one race weighing more than another, or differences in BMI. Socioeconomic variables don’t explain it, either. One idea, raised by a 1999 study, is that it’s about the presence of a certain protein in the body. African American girls have higher levels of IGF-1 , a protein that has a huge influence on how fast we age and mature. A bigger IGF-1 dose may just mean that one’s body grows up faster.
Whats A Normal Period
Normal periods are different from person to person. They can also change over your lifetime. Periods usually come about once a month. When you first start having your period, the bleeding may last only a few days or be really light .
During your period, its normal to bleed anywhere from 2 to 7 days. It may seem like a lot of blood comes out, but most people only lose about 1-6 tablespoons of blood and tissue during each period. Period blood can be red, brown, or pink. Its also normal for it to be kind of clumpy at times. If your period is so heavy that you have to change maxi pads or super tampons every hour call your doctor or your local Planned Parenthood health center.
During the first few years of your period, it might not always come at the same time every month. You may bleed more or less, or have different PMS symptoms month-to-month. As you get older, periods usually get more regular and itll be easier to know whats normal for you. Learn more about what a normal period is.
Even though its normal to have periods that arent always regular, missing a period can be a sign of pregnancy. If youve had penis-in-vagina sex without using birth control and you skipped your period, take a pregnancy test. Read more about what to do if you miss your period.
Want to track your period? Weve got you. Download our Spot On app.
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Can Stress Make Your Period Late
Absolutely! Stress and anxiety can cause hormonal imbalances that lead to many symptoms such as diarrhea, rapid breathing, abdominal pain, and late periods. Stress can suppress the action of certain hormones that are needed to regulate your menstrual cycle. Thats why finding effective stress management techniques can be helpful in regulating your menstrual cycle.
What Are The Signs Of Implantation
Implantation is the process when an embryo attaches itself to the uterine lining. It doesnt always cause symptoms. However, some people report feeling light cramping, headaches, and mood swings around the time of implantation. Implantation bleeding can occur around the date when you expect your period, but its usually lighter and only causes pink or brown spotting or discharge.
Also Check: What Medicine Is Good For Period Cramps
Why Is Menstrual Period Important To Track
It is important to track menstrual period and the cycle for some reasons. The more you understand about your body and the menstrual cycle, the more quickly you can know if something is amiss. A change in menstrual cycle is often a symptom of a variety of health issues in women.
It is also important to track the menstrual periods if you are planning to conceive or if you are trying to have a safe sex to avoid pregnancy.
The primary goal of tracking your monthly periods is to estimate the length of the menstrual cycle and assume the possible time of ovulation. If you are trying for pregnancy, you can have an intercourse around the ovulation time, and if you want to avoid pregnancy, you should abstain from sex for some days before and after ovulation.
Also when your periods become irregular, it may indicate health conditions such as thyroid issue, hormonal fluctuations, diabetes, liver problems, gaining or losing a significant amount of weight, extreme stress or adopting a new exercise routine. If irregular menstrual periods is coupled with any other symptoms, you should check with your OB-GYN.
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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What Is Menstruation
Menstruation is the monthly shedding of the lining of a womans uterus . Menstruation is also known by the terms menses, menstrual period, cycle or period. The menstrual bloodwhich is partly blood and partly tissue from the inside of the uterusflows from the uterus through the cervix and out of the body through the vagina.
What Should I Expect
You already know that a period is when the lining of the uterus is released and flows out of the vagina as bloody fluid. Great, but what exactly will that feel like? Does it come out fast or slow? How much fluid will there be? How long does it take? Will it hurt? What does it look like? Itâs normal to have all these questions, so keep reading to be a period pro!
Read Also: Does Birth Control Make Your Period Lighter
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.