At What Age Does A First Period Generally Happen
In the United States, a child may get their first period when theyre about 12. However, anytime between 10 and 15 is within the average range. Its not entirely unusual for a first period to happen as young as 8 or as old as 16.
Factors such as family history, race, diet, environment, and weight can all determine the time a first period occurs. Children who participate in intense athletics or are underweight might get their periods later.
It can be hard to predict when a first period will occur, but there are a few ways you might be able to estimate. As a rule, a first period will occur about 2 years after breasts start to develop. Additionally, a mucus-like vaginal discharge will often start 6 months to a year before the first period.
What Does It Mean To Get Your First Period
Your body begins to produce adult levels of hormones during puberty. A period happens when your brain sends a signal to your ovaries to release hormones called estrogen and progesterone.
Every month, starting around the first period, estrogen and progesterone hormones prepare your body for a possible pregnancy. This causes the lining of your uterus to build up. This buildup is to prepare for a fertilized egg to attach and begin development.
After about a month of buildup without an egg attaching, the buildup will break down and bleed. This blood is what is seen during a period. This cycle repeats every month and is called a menstrual cycle.
Its common for a cycle not to be regular after a first period. Periods may be hard to predict occurring every 3 weeks, every 2 months apart. This often lasts for the first 1 or 2 years after a first period.
There are apps that can help track periods. Using an app to track in the first couple of years can help spot if anything is very irregular. You can use information from the app to start a conversation with a doctor.
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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Can Anything Prevent Or Delay Puberty
A well-balanced diet and regular physical activity will support growth and healthy development.
However, puberty and subsequent growth can be delayed for a variety of reasons. Constitutional delay, or being a late bloomer, describes a pattern of later development that runs in families and is nothing to worry about. These teenagers will fully develop, just later than their peers.
Children with long-term conditions, such as diabetes, cystic fibrosis, or kidney disease, may also experience delayed puberty. This may be less likely if the condition is well-controlled, with limited complications.
Conditions affecting the pituitary or thyroid glands, which produce the hormones the body needs to grow and develop, can also delay puberty. Likewise, some genetic conditions can interfere with the process.
Intensive training and restrictive eating may delay the onset of puberty in young female athletes. In contrast, obesity is with an earlier start to puberty. These variations may be due to changes in hormone levels associated with activity levels and body composition.
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.
If you think you’re getting close to your first period, it might make you more comfortable to be ready. Put a pad and change of underwear in your backpack or purse in case your period comes when you aren’t at home.
Are you thinking a lot about when your first period will come? You’re not alone. Lots of girls wonder and wonder when will it come? If you feel a little worried or nervous about getting your period, it can help to talk to someone you trust, like your doctor, mom or older sister.
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Getting Your Period: What Is A Normal Menstrual Cycle For Teens And Preteens
While entering puberty is a natural part of growing up, the physical changes it brings can be unsettling. For those who menstruate, experiencing a period for the first time can raise a lot of questions about whether whats going on is normal or not. As pediatricians who specialize in gynecology and blood conditions, were here to help you and your child navigate and understand those early cycles.
Obesity And Early Puberty
Last year, the World Health Organization stated obesity had nearly tripled since 1975, and 39 million children under the age of 5 were overweight or obese in 2020.
But what does obesity have to do with periods?
Estrogen is stored and produced by the fat cells in our bodies. So, an increase in fat cells naturally means more estrogen in your body. Estrogen is also what makes your uterine lining thicken. When the lining of your uterus thickens and isnt fertilized with an egg , it will begin to shed and voila: you get yourperiod. Long story short, higher obesity rates in young people may be a reason the average age for puberty is beginning earlier. While every body is different and weight gain can be caused by a whole whack of reasons, a good rule of thumb for people at every age is to eat healthily, exercise plenty, and speak with your doctor if you have any concerns.
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Some Signs You Might Be Getting Your First Period Soon
Some of the classic signs of puberty include body hair, your chest growing/getting fuller, and an increase in sweat. There are a few other key signs your period is coming, and plenty of pro tips to make sure youre prepared for when it does .
No matter when you start your first period, remember that whats going on with your bod is completely normal. If you think something irregular is going on, make sure to always speak with your doc. To be ready for anything, try wearing a pair of KTs Leakproof Underwear so you wont be caught off guard. And most importantly always remember, you got this. 🙂
According To A Survey Conducted In 1994 Half Of All Girls In France Have Already Started Menstruating By Age 13 Menstruation A Key Marker Of Female Puberty Is Beginning Earlier In Life Than It Used To
Most girls in France have their first period between ages 11 and 14, according to data from the Enquête Analyse du comportement sexuel des jeunes , a survey of adolescents sexual development and behaviour conducted in 1994. The survey also found that 6 out of 10 adolescent girls had begun to menstruate at age 12 or 13. At age 13.1, half of all girls in France have already had their period.
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How To Help Your Child Through A First Period
Many parents feel uncomfortable talking with their child about puberty and their first period. Parents might have grown up feeling ashamed by periods and might not want to embarrass their child by having that conversation now.
However, a first period is part of overall health and development, and having an honest conversation about it is an important way to help your child as they grow up.
Some tips to help your child through a first period include:
- answering any questions your child has about periods honestly and directly
- using times like when you are buying menstrual products, discussing family pregnancies, or other natural moments to start the conversation with your child
- asking your child what questions they have about getting periods
- asking your child if they have any questions about menstrual products or thoughts about what type theyd like to use
- explaining some of the pros and cons of types of menstrual products
- emphasizing that periods are typical and natural
- using clear, concrete words for body parts and body functions
It can help to have the conversation slowly over the course of several years rather than all at once. For instance, you can first mention that some people bleed every month to prepare for pregnancy during a conversation about where babies come from when your child is very young. Over the next several years you can answer additional questions and provide more information.
What Else Affects When A Woman Will Finally Stop Having Menstrual Periods
Researchers continue to explore a number of factors that may influence the timing of menopause.
The level of education a woman has completed is one thing that seems to correlate with menopause timing, says Faubion. Women who have more education tend to go through menopause later, she says.
A study published in January 2020 in JAMA Network Open found that pregnancy and breastfeeding may reduce the risk of early menopause.
How frequently a woman has sex has also been correlated with early menopause. A study published in January 2020 in Royal Society Open Science found that women who had sex at least once a week were less likely to go through menopause compared with women who had sex less than once a month.
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What Are The Signs Of An Abnormal Period And When Should We Talk To Our Pediatrician
Abnormal periods can be caused by everything from lifestyle factors such as stress and exercise levels to underlying medical conditions such as a bleeding disorder or hormonal abnormalities. It can take a few years for the menstrual cycle to stabilize, so it might not be obvious right away if your child is experiencing abnormal periods, but there are some signs that you can watch out for.
Make an appointment for your child to see their pediatrician if you observe any of the following:
- Reaching the age of 15 without having a period
- Having a period before the age of 8
- Experiencing irregular cycles more than two years after starting their period
- Experiencing very heavy bleeding or severe cramps that dont improve with painkillers
- Having very long periods
- Experiencing severe PMS symptoms that make it hard for your child to get through their day
These symptoms dont necessarily indicate that anything is wrong, but its good to speak with a healthcare provider just to make sure. A healthcare provider can help you and your child determine what next steps need to be taken to ensure their health and wellbeing.
If your child also has other types of bleeding such as nosebleeds, frequent gum bleeding, easy bruising or bleeding after tooth extraction or surgery, or any family history of bleeding, you may want to discuss with your pediatrician whether testing for an inherited or acquired bleeding disorder is needed.
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What Causes Menstruation
Menstruation is a result of puberty. This is when your body becomes capable of reproduction.
When your menstrual cycle begins, your estrogen levels increase. That causes the lining of your uterus to thicken.
The uterine lining thickens so it can support a fertilized egg and develop into a pregnancy.
If there isnt a fertilized egg, your body will break the lining down and push it out of your uterus. This results in bleeding your menstrual period.
It doesnt matter if youve had a period for years or youre waiting for your first one periods can be difficult to navigate.
This article will go over everything you need to know, from how to find the right menstrual products and dealing with cramps to saving stained clothes.
Most people start their periods between the ages of 12 and 13. Your first period . .acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Your-First-Period-Especially-for-Teens However, its normal to start your period a little earlier or later, too.
As a general rule of thumb, menstruation will start about two years after your breasts begin to develop.
Some people start their periods without any warning. Others may experience premenstrual syndrome in the days leading up to their period.
Symptoms of PMS include:
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What Should I Use
You can use Always Dailies pantyliners to help absorb daily discharge, and Always pads for your period.
Always Ultra pads have a super absorbent core that turns liquid into gel, keeping your skin dry and comfortable and providing up to 100% leakage protection.
This can go a long way in providing extra peace of mind for a first-time menstruater.
Should I Watch For Any Problems
Most girls don’t have any problems with their periods. But call your doctor if you:
- are 15 and haven’t started your period
- have had your period for more than 2 years and it still doesn’t come regularly
- have bleeding between periods
- have severe cramps that don’t get better with ibuprofen or naproxen
- have very heavy bleeding
- have periods that last more than about a week
- have severe PMS that gets in the way of your everyday activities
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Mood Changes Before And During Periods
Many people will experience mood changes just before or during the first few days of their periods. These changes can include being a bit irritable or more sensitive, or feeling angry, anxious or even depressed.
This can be hard for your child and the rest of the family to cope with. Giving your child a bit more privacy and space around this time can make it easier for everyone, without making a big deal about it.
If your childs mood changes are upsetting or disrupting their everyday life, they might like to see a health professional, like the GP.
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What The Age You Got Your Period Says About You
When you were a teenager, getting your first period was everything. You were excited about the idea of becoming a woman and also completely .
Now that youre a seasoned period pro, its easy to forget how much you obsessed about your cycle back then. But it turns out, all that attention was worth something, since the age when you first got your period can actually impact your future health.
First, lets back up a little: Theres a medical term for the age when you got your first periodmenarche. Girls have started getting their first period earlier than in the past, so now its considered normal for girls to get their period between 9 and 14 years old, says Maureen Whelihan, M.D., an ob/gyn at the Center for Sexual Health & Education. However, Jessica Shepherd, M.D., an assistant professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology and director of minimally invasive gynecologic surgery at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago, says doctors arent really concerned if you get your period later, unless you get to age 16 sans periodat that point, theyll want to girls to get examined just to make sure everything is working OK in there.
A higher-than-average weight can also cause girls to get their period earlier than usual, says Shepherd. We think the increase in obesity in society may be one of the reasons why girls are getting their first periods earlier, she says.
Still, super fascinating info!
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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.
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.
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