What Causes A Period
A period happens because of changes in hormones in the body. Hormones are chemical messengers. The ovaries release the female hormones estrogen and progesterone . These hormones cause the lining of the uterus to build up. The built-up lining is ready for a fertilized egg to attach to and start developing. If there is no fertilized egg, the lining breaks down and bleeds. Then the same process happens all over again.
It usually takes about a month for the lining to build up, then break down. That is why most girls and women get their periods around once a month.
When Will I Have Another One
After your first period, your second one can be pretty unpredictable, too. Most people expect it one month after the first period, but in reality, it’s pretty normal for it to happen anywhere from 3 weeks to 3 months after your first period.
Once youâve had a few periods, the best way to predict future ones, is to write down the dates of every period you have and count how many days there are from the start of one period to the start of the next. That tells you your cycle length. Obviously youâll need to have a few periods before you can do this, but it is super helpful for staying aware and prepared!
When you keep track of your periods like that, itâs called âperiod trackingâ . There are lots of ways to track your periods. You can write them on a calendar, in a journal or notebook, or use a period tracker. Make sure you record the day you start and every day you have your flow. You might also want to note when your flow is heavy and when it is light. This is the best way to know your flow so you can be aware and prepared!
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:
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 dont 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: What Can Slow Down Your Period
Getting A Period Before Age 12 Is Linked To Breast Cancer
The hits just keep on coming. If your menarche came before the age of 12, which is around the national average, you need to get tested for breast cancer frequently. Statistics show that, nastily enough, a pre-12 menarche has been linked to a 20 percent higher likelihood of a breast cancer diagnosis at some point in later life. The general rule is that for every extra year a woman menstruates before the average, you can add five percent to her chances of developing breast cancer.
According to a new study from the University of Oxford, this also means that the later a woman finishes having periods , the more at risk she is. The research also showed that a more period-filled life is actually linked to specific kinds of breast cancer: estrogen-sensitive cancer and lobular tumors.
The big factor in this? Exposure to hormones. It looks like the more estrogen and period-causing hormones you experience over your life, particularly at your menarche, the more likely it is that your body will develop breast cancers that are hormonally sensitive. Interestingly, though, the age of menarche has no influence on when youll hit menopause the two things are completely independent.
Recommended Reading: 90 Probationary Period Employment Form
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:
Also Check: 90 Day Employment Probationary Period Template
Also Check: How To Slow Down A Period From Coming
How Do I Know If I Am In Menopause
Menopause is defined as 12 consecutive months without having a menstrual cycle. If you are currently not having periods, but it has not yet been 12 full months, you might be in menopause, but you cannot be sure until you have gone a full year without having a period.
Some cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation can also lead to medical menopause, which can be temporary or permanent.
Whats Happening With Delta Anyway
Around the world and in Australia, Omicron has rapidly taken over COVID-19 discussions.
Last week Victoria announced Omicron was the dominant variant in new cases.
But new Delta cases are still popping up across the country.
Professor McLaws says there is a lack of data around whether the Delta or Omicron variant is responsible for the rise in hospitalisations.
Certainly, if youve had a booster shot, youre less likely to catch Delta, she said.
Youre potentially probably likely to still get Omicron if you havent had two weeks since your third booster.
Also Check: What Is A Girls First Period Like
Don’t Miss: How To Feel Better On Your Period
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 Be On Birth Control During Perimenopause
Yes. If you do not want to become pregnant, you should use birth control during perimenopause. Even if you are getting your period every few months, you are still ovulating those months. Since its not possible to predict when you are ovulating, you should use birth control until you havent gotten a period for at least 12 months.
Dont Miss: Can You Donate Plasma On Your Period
You May Like: Pediatric Dental Insurance No Waiting Period
What To Do When It Starts
When a period begins, try to find a way to absorb the blood. A female can do this by asking a friend or family member for a pad or tampon.
If it is not possible to use a pad or tampon, try to wrap something absorbent, such as toilet paper or a clean washcloth, around the crotch area of some underwear. This can absorb the blood and prevent leaks.
It can be helpful to prepare a period kit before the first period arrives. This can help with feeling ready. This period kit could consist of:
- an extra pair of underwear
- a variety of tampons and pads, so a female can choose what works best for them
- unscented baby wipes to clean any leakages
Most periods last for
The following sections will look at some absorption methods in more detail.
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.
Read Also: Why Do Woman Get Period Cramps
When Will I Get My First Period
Find out if youre displaying the common signs of starting your period.
Cant see the quiz?
As they approach their teenage years, most girls start to wonder when their periods might start. Some look forward to this moment as a sign that they are really growing up. Others are a little nervous about how they will feel, or how they might manage their period. Either way, it can be good to know whether you are likely to get your period soon.
With periods usually starting between the ages of 10-16 years, it can be hard to predict when your first period will arrive. However, your body will probably start to show some tell-tale signs when your first period is on its way. Puberty has a predictable pattern, explains GP Dr Jeff Foster. Understanding the significance of different signs such as breast development, vaginal discharge, pubic hair and underarm hair can give us an indication about whether a first period is likely to occur soon.
At What Age Does Menstruation Typically Begin
People start menstruating at the average age of 12. However, you can begin menstruating as early as 8 years of age or as late as 16 years of age. People stop menstruating at menopause, which occurs at about the age of 51. At menopause, you stop producing eggs . Menopause is defined as one year without periods, and after this time you can no longer become pregnant.
You May Like: Effects Of Not Having A Period For A Long Time
Are You Headed Toward Early Menopause
There are many negative health consequences linked to early menopause, including a higher risk of osteoporosis and fracture, heart disease, cognitive impairment and dementia, and early death, says Dr. Faubion.
If you have questions about when youll experience menopause and if you can do anything to change it, keep reading for answers.
What Age Is Considered Early For Menopause
If you reach menopause before age 40, that is considered premature menopause, says Faubion. This occurs in about 1 to 2 percent of women, she says.
Experiencing menopause at 40 to 45 years of age is called early menopause, and that occurs in about 5 to 7 percent of the population, so its safe to say that at least 7 percent of women are going to go through menopause early or prematurely, says Faubion. Menopause at age 46 or older is considered normal, she says.
You May Like: Difference Between Period And Pregnancy Symptoms
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
Dont Miss: 90 Day Probationary Period Letter
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
You May Like: How To Stop Period Cramps At Night
Signs Of First Period In Your Daughter
The good news is your daughters first period wont just arrive completely out of the blue – her body will offer up a few little clues first. These are the main signs that her first period is imminent that you should both be on the lookout for, but do make her aware that these changes can happen in any order though.
Why Do Women Have Periods
A period is normal vaginal bleeding that is a natural part of a healthy monthly cycle for a person with a uterus and ovaries.
Every month, in the years between puberty and menopause , your body readies itself for pregnancy. The lining of your uterus thickens and an egg grows and is released from one of your ovaries.
The average person who menstruates loses about 2 to 3 tablespoons of blood during their period.
The time between periods typically averages 28 days, with bleeding typically lasting around 4 to 5 days. However, people can experience longer time between periods, and fewer or more days of bleeding, and still have totally regular periods.
Dont Miss: How Can You Track Your Period
Don’t Miss: Home Remedies For Pcos And Irregular Periods
Canadas Retirement Income System
Canada has a public pension system that provides seniors with a secure, modest base of retirement income.
The two main public pension programs are:
- the Old Age Security program
- the Canada Pension Plan
The OAS program and CPP, combined with retirement savings, investments and private pension plans, provide Canadians with one of the best retirement income systems in the world.
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.
Don’t Miss: How To Stop Bleeding During Periods
Can I Get Pregnant
Although the onset of menstruation is widely regarded as the start of your reproductive years, its possible to become pregnant before youve had a period.
It all comes down to your hormones. In some cases, your body may begin to release ovulation-causing hormones long before it triggers the start of menstruation.
And when you do begin menstruation, its possible to get pregnant if you have sex during your period. It ultimately comes down to where you are in your menstrual cycle.
Talk to a trusted adult or reach out to your healthcare provider if:
- You havent started your period by age 15.
- Youve had your period for about two years and it isnt regular.
- You experience bleeding between your periods.
- You experience severe pain that prevents you from completing daily activities.
- Your bleeding is so heavy that you have to change your pad or tampon every one to two hours.
- Your periods last longer than seven days.
If you call to make an appointment, tell the person whos scheduling it that youre having problems with your period.
They may ask you to write down details about:
- when your most recent period started
- when your most recent period ended
- when you first noticed your irregular bleeding or other symptoms
Emotions Can Be At An All
Sometimes, a woman knows shes about to get her period just by how she feels emotionally. Sure, bloating and cramping might also be happening, but when you have your period, your emotions may also be at an all-time high. You might experience mood swings or just extreme emotional reactions to things that you normally wouldnt give a second thought to. So, on your period, a commercial for reusable plastic bags might bring you to tears, and theres no shame in that!
In fact, you can blame your menstrual cycle. Gynecologist and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists fellow Dr. Carol Livoti, MD, told Everyday Health that estrogen levels drop like a rock and begin rising slowly before dropping again just before menstruation starts. Those changing levels of hormones can really mess with your emotions, even after your period starts. According to Medical News Today, it can take a few days after the start of your period for your emotions to regulate themselves again. So if you start to feel extra sad, mad, or happy when you have your period, dont add stress to the equation these feelings are totally normal.
Recommended Reading: Employee Probationary Period Template
Don’t Miss: When Is A Woman Fertile After Period