What Age Does A Girl Start Her Period

Mood Changes Before And During Periods

What will the doctor do if a girl doesn’t start her period by age 15?

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.

Obesity And Early Puberty

In 2013, the Childhood Obesity Foundation found 42 infants and young children were overweight or obese worldwide. In 2025, there will be 70 million overweight or obese infants and young children, if the current trend continues. That is insane.

Now, you might be wondering how exactly this relates to the onset of your period, so let me explain. Fat cells make estrogen, so the more fat cells you have, the more estrogen you have in your body. If youve been checking out our previous blog posts or our Instagram , you know that estrogen is 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: period.

There are a few things you can do to combat this. Of course, there are medical reasons that contribute to weight gain as a child, and sometimes theres not a ton that can be done . But overall, make sure your kids are eating well and getting lots of exercise. I know 4-year olds spending more time using an iPad or watching television than paying attention to their surroundings, and thats a bad habit to get into. Dont go taking away your kids electronics, but make sure the have a balance in their lives.

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When Should Early Puberty For Girls Be Cause For Concern

Parents sometimes worry their young daughters may be starting their periods or developing breasts too early. Womens health expert Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones reminds us what puberty is and when it normally occurs for young girls. She also talks about when parents should consult a pediatrician if they’re concerned, what conditions or activities are commonly associated with early puberty, and what parents can do for their daughters to make sure they stay healthy during puberty.

Dr. Jones:

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Dr. Jones:

Well, puberty is when the sleeping gonads, ovaries, and testicles of boys and girls wake up to begin the coordinated development of sexual tissues. In girls, it begins with breast development called thelarche, followed closely by pubic hair called pubarche. And about two years after the beginning of breast development in the normal pubertal process, the first menstrual period starts, menarche. This waking up of the sleeping gonads is preceded by a year or two by the maturing of the adrenal glands called adrenarche. All of our lovely developing arches, I’m waiting for an arche to name the start of the development of the mature brain.

But, you know, 13, 12 is not such a big deal, but to think of it a different way, the percent of US girls who’ve had their first period by age 10 was zero for girls born in the ’20s and is 2% to 3% for girls born in 1980.

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When Do Periods Stop

Women usually have periods until menopause. Menopause occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, usually around age 50. Menopause means that a woman is no longer ovulating or having periods and can no longer get pregnant. Like menstruation, menopause can vary from woman to woman and these changes may occur over several years.

For the first few years after menstruation begins, longer cycles are common. A woman’s cycle tends to shorten and become more regular with age. Most of the time, periods will be in the range of 21 to 35 days apart.

Periods stop during pregnancy, and often while you are breastfeeding. Some women find their periods stop for a time because of long-term illness, low body weight, stress, lots of strenuous exercise and hormone problems. Some medications, such as contraceptives, might stop your period. This can be helpful for some women, especially if their periods are heavy or painful. Sometimes after stopping the pill or other contraceptive, it can take a while for your periods to come back. Periods stop altogether when women reach menopause – the average age is 51-52.

The menstrual cycle is the hormonal driven cycle. Day 1 is the first day of your period while day 14 is the approximate day you ovulate and if an egg is not fertilized, hormone levels eventually drop and at about day 25. The egg then begins to dissolve and the cycle begins again with the period at about day 30.

Further Reading For Girls

Using cloth menstrual pads at school

Page last reviewed: 05 August 2019 Next review due: 05 August 2022

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What Are The Signs Of A Cat Having A Period

First of all, while a tiny amount of blood spotting might occur while your cat is going through her period, if you notice significant amounts of blood, please contact your veterinarian immediately.

Most cat parents tend to recognize unusual behaviors in cats going through their heat cycle, rather than vaginal bleeding.

Here are some of the common signs you may see in a cat who is going through estrus:

  • During her period, a female cat will likely make a series of yelping and howling noises a tactic used in the wild to attract mates.
  • A cat going through her period might also appear to be more affectionate, such as rubbing against your legs more and rolling around on the floor.
  • In some cases, a female cat on her period will spray urine around or even attempt to sneak outside in a bid to find a mate.

If you live with a cat who hasnt had the spay surgery yet, you can try helping her through her period by providing extra toys that she can play vigorously with, or even using catnip as a way to soothe her.

Although these days, most vets advise spaying your female cat. CatTime recommends this soft recovery collar for kitties who go through surgery as an alternative to the cone of shame. Check it out to support our content!

For more information on cats in heat and what you can do if your female kitty is in her heat cycle, read CatTimes advice here!

The Science Behind Cats And Periods

Female cats get periods, but while humans experience menstrual cycles, felines go through estrus. This is a process more commonly referred to as a cat going in heat, and this is the time when a female cat can become pregnant.

A female cat can start having her estrus cycle when shes as young as four months old. In general, each cycle lasts around seven to ten days.

A female cat will experience an estrus cycle a number of times each year. If the cat doesnt become pregnant during that time, she will go into heat again later on.

This cycle will continue until either the female feline becomes pregnant or is spayed.

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What Causes A Period

A period happens because of changes in in the body. Hormones are chemical messengers. The ovaries release the female hormones and . 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.

How Does It Start

Ask Andy #11 – At what age does a girl get her period?

The first period typically occurs after a female first ovulates. This happens when the ovaries release an egg into the fallopian tube.

When this happens, the womb lining thickens in preparation for the egg to be fertilized. If fertilization does not occur, the lining sheds, as the body no longer needs it. This is where period blood comes from.

In most females, this cycle continues regularly from the age of the first period until menopause, which is when periods end.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , the average age at which females began menstruating in the United States in 20132017 was

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Does The Shape Of Your Breasts Change After Puberty

Connective tissues and chest muscles support how breasts are shaped, and will change as a girl ages. When these tissues and muscles age, breasts begin to sag during later stages of life.

Eating healthy, engaging in routine exercise, and wearing a well-fitting bra, are all good ways to maintain healthy breast tissue. Maintaining strong chest and back muscles can help breasts maintain their shape, or perkiness.

The Growth Of Pubic Hair

Soon after the breast buds grow, your daughter may notice pubic hair growth.

At first, she may just see a few long, sparse, straight and soft hairs in the beginning. However, as the hair will fill in, they will become darker, curlier and coarser.

Over the next few years, the pubic hair grows up in the groin area. Further taking on a triangular shape, the hair finally spreads to the inner thighs.

It is important to note that underarm hair doesnt begin to grow until around when menstruation begins.

Make sure that you guide your daughter about the change she will be experiencing.

In this case knowledge of the menarche symptoms can help manage the stress and fear that comes with the uncertainty.

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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.

The Stages Of Female Puberty: Hair Boobs And Other Signs

What Age Does A Girl Start Her Menstrual Cycle

Puberty kind of sneaks up on you. Maybe it starts with the hair, or you begin to feel like maybe you need a bra. Itâs just the beginning of a rollercoaster of big changes in your body. While everyone goes through it, the signs of puberty you experience may be different or happen earlier and later than people you know. Because, like basically everything else in life, youâll go through puberty at your own pace. Hereâs what you need to know about puberty for girls.

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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.

Kat A Former Clue Intern Shared Her Personal Experience Of Waiting To Get Her First Period Below

“Periods can be frustrating, messy and sometimes downright painful. Nevertheless, I couldnât wait to get mine. When I was nine, my mom taught me about periods, but stressed that I shouldnât expect mine to start any time soon since she had gotten hers later than average. Still, I was determined that that wouldnât be the case for me.

When I was 10, I woke up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, looked down, and finally, a little spot of blood! The wait was over! I was a grownup now, ready to tackle anything! I rushed down the hall to tell my mom who gave me a pad with an unconvinced look on her face. That night I was almost too excited to sleep, knowing what I could tell all my friends in the morning. You can imagine my despair when there was not a hint of red to be seen, only a small cut on my upper thigh. False alarm.

Throughout elementary and middle school I had to sit through various puberty talks and was given countless handfuls of pads and tampons from sex ed teachers âjust in case.â I had to watch all of my friends come into school ready to spill the details of where they were and how they felt now that they were âa real woman.â I wasnât as physically mature as they were but I felt absolutely sure that this milestone would make me fit in again. Days, months and years passed. I watched everyone develop, claim that they had âsynced up,â and relate to each otherâs symptoms. I felt excluded.

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