What Age Will I Get My Period

What Are Regular Periods

What age will you start your period?

Most girls get their first period between the ages of 10 and 15, but some get it earlier and some later. The first period is known as menarche .

A girl’s monthly cycle is the number of days from the start of her period to the start of the next time she gets her period. You often hear this is a 28-day cycle. But 28 is just an average figure that doctors use. Cycle lengths vary some are 24 days, some are 34 days. And a girl may notice that her cycles are different lengths each month especially for the few years after she first starts getting her period.

Early in a girl’s cycle, her ovaries start preparing one egg. At the same time, the lining of the uterus becomes thick to prepare a nesting place for a fertilized egg in the event that the girl becomes pregnant.

About 2 weeks before a girl gets her period, the egg is released from the ovary . The egg travels through the fallopian tube into the uterus. If the egg isn’t fertilized by sperm, it starts to fall apart. Then the lining and egg leave a girl’s body as her period and the whole thing starts all over again that’s why we use the word “cycle.” The first day a girl’s period comes is Day 1 of her cycle.

It’s also normal for the number of days a girl has her period to vary. Sometimes a girl may bleed for 2 days, sometimes it may last a week. That’s because the level of hormones the body makes can be different from one cycle to the next, and this affects the amount and length of bleeding.

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.

Should I Use A Pad Tampon Or Menstrual Cup

There are a few ways to deal with period blood. You may need to experiment a bit to find which works best for you. Some girls use only one method and others switch between different methods.

  • Most girls use a pad when they first get their period. Pads are made of cotton and come in lots of different sizes and shapes. They have sticky strips that attach to the underwear.
  • Many girls prefer to use tampons instead of pads, especially when playing sports or swimming. A tampon is a cotton plug that a girl puts into her vagina. Most tampons come with an applicator that guides the tampon into place. The tampon absorbs the blood. Don’t leave a tampon in for more than 8 hours because this can increase your risk of a serious infection called toxic shock syndrome.
  • Some girls prefer a menstrual cup. To use a menstrual cup, a girl inserts it into her vagina. The cup holds the blood until she empties it.

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Starting Periods At A Young Age Is Linked To Early Menopause

Girl talk: puberty hits younger and younger

Women are more likely to go through menopause early if they started menstruating before their 12th birthday.

This is the conclusion of the largest study of its kind, involving 50,000 postmenopausal women in the UK, Australia, Japan and Scandinavia.

On average, a first period arrived around age 13 and the last when the women were 50. But 14 per cent had their first period before they were 12, and 10 per cent had their last period before they turned 45.

To investigate whether there was a link between early menstruation and early menopause, Gita Mishra at the University of Queensland, Australia, and her colleagues performed a statistical analysis, adjusting for possible confounding variables like weight and smoking.

They found that women who began menstruating before the age of 12 were 31 per cent more likely to have an early menopause between the ages of 40 and 44.

Of the women who had their first period when they were 13, only 1.8 per cent had premature menopause , and 7.2 per cent reached menopause early. But in women who had their first period when they were 11 or younger, 3.1 per cent had premature menopause, and 8.8 per cent went through it early.

Does The Age My Mother Reached Menopause Mean Anything

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Most likely your moms age at menopause will provide a clue. When we look at the things that are the greatest determinants for when someone is going to go through menopause, genetics seems to be one of the most important things, says Streicher.

A womans race or ethnicity can influence when she goes through menopause, too, she says. Findings from the Study of Womens Health Across the Nation indicate that women of color tend to begin perimenopause and menopause at earlier ages than white women.

RELATED: What Experts Want BIPOC Women to Know About Menopause

The question I always ask women when they ask when theyre going to go through menopause is, When did your mom go through menopause? because that is very often predictive, says Streicher.

Theres a lot of truth in that. You may follow what happened with your mother if she went through menopause early or late, you may, too, she says.

Certain medical conditions such as autoimmune problems, thyroid issues, and lupus can make a woman go through menopause earlier, adds Streicher.

Read Also: How Long Can You Wear Period Underwear

Find Out When It’s Coming

Starting to grow beyond the tissue

Big. Round. Full.

Starting to become a bit more womanly

How much hair down there

starting to grow fuller

starting to see blonde hairs

begining to curl

Any Discharge

So Bad I Need Panitliners

A lot!

Any Hair On Your Legs

A Little

None

Tons!

How Far Off Are You From Your Mom’s Period )you are _________ years ______ from when your mom got her period

1 year or more older

6 months older

1 or more year younger

same age

Soon! Be Prepared and start carrying pads in your bag.

2-4 Months

You have a little while to go but enjoy it while you can

4-8 Months

You Still have a little while to go but enjoy it while you can!

8 Month to 1.5 years

8 Month to 1.5 years

You still have a while to wait don’t anticipate it coming soon…

1.5 Years – 2 Years

Don’t worry, its not coming to soon don’t be concerned!

2 Years +

When Should I Expect My First Period

Most girls get their first period somewhere between the ages of 10 and 14, with an average of just over 12 years old. Its hard to tell when your first period will arrive. It usually happens about two years after the first signs of puberty , and about a year after you begin growing pubic hair. You will also notice white or yellowish vaginal discharge in the few months leading up to your period.

There are numerous factors that are thought to influence the age of the first period, including:

  • Nutrition
  • Parental education
  • Illness and stress

The average age of the first period has been decreasing over time. In 1900 in the United States, the average age of the first period was between 14 and 15 years of age. The decreasing age of the onset of menstruation seems to have levelled off now at 12.

There is no way to predict exactly when you will get your first period, and there is nothing you can do to make it start, except wait. If you are worried about your first period, talk to your family doctor.

If you are sexually active, you will need to consider the possibility that you could get pregnant once you have your period. In fact, you can even get pregnant if youve never menstruated, since its possible to ovulate before your first period. There are many forms of birth control available read about them here. You are also at risk of sexually transmitted infections if you are sexually active learn how to protect yourself.

Also Check: How To Get Your First Period In 5 Minutes

Myth: Breast Development Signals The Onset Of Puberty

In reality breast enlargement occurring in isolation in girls younger than 6 years or in infants is more likely to represent benign premature thelarche than true precocious puberty. The criteria in the box may be useful in making this differential diagnosis. In cases in which true precocious puberty is suspected, sensitive methods of diagnosis include pelvic ultrasound scanning and ultrasensitive immunochemoluminometric assays of luteinizing hormone.

What Should I Use

ð± When Will I Get My FIRST PERIOD? 10 SIGNS YOUR PERIOD IS COMING! â¡ï¸?Personality Test Quizâ¡ï¸?

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.

Recommended Reading: I Ve Been On My Period For 2 Weeks

How Long Will Menopausal Transition Symptoms Last

Menopause is technically one full year without bleeding, and perimenopause is the stage before the final menstrual period, also known as the menopausal transition. Puberty and perimenopause are similar in that they both involve hormonal changes, and the transitions can take place over several years. Some medical organizations, such as the American Osteopathic Association, refer to perimenopause as reverse puberty in women.

According to NAMS, this phase can last four to eight years, and it comes with symptoms caused by hormone fluctuations, such as mood swings, poor sleep, and hot flashes.

RELATED: Coping With Hot Flashes and Other Menopausal Symptoms: What 10 Celebrities Said

The age at which a woman begins perimenopause can help predict how long the transition to menopause will last, according to research published in the journal Menopause in February 2017. The authors found that perimenopause lasted longer in women who started the transition at a younger age, and the women had more symptoms, such as hot flashes.

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.

  • What is amenorrhea?

    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.

  • What if I am having heavy bleeding?

    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.

  • What if I have irregular periods?

    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.

  • Article continues below

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    Signs That Indicate Your First Period Is Coming

    Except the quizzes above, you may rely on the following signs to understand if your period is coming or not.

    1. Breast Development

    Breast development is the first sign of a girl’s period. It starts as breast buds grow from raised nipples as a result of developing fat, tissue and milk glands in the body. It usually takes 4 years to have fully developed breast. Once the development starts, period generally occurs 1 to 3 years later.

    2. Hair Growth

    Excessive body hair begins to develop either before or after the appearance of breast buds. Pubic hair will start to grow in the area below the lower abdomen and between the legs. Initially, the hair is soft and thin, which gradually become coarse and curly. A period generally starts 1 or 2 years after the development of pubic hair.

    3. Vaginal Discharge

    Vaginal discharge is an important sign of an impending period. It can either be white or yellowish, which helps in moisturizing the vagina. Once the discharge starts, period can be expected within 6 to 12 months. It is likely that a girl gets her first period within a year or so as her mother got. Doing some planning for the anticipated period is always a good idea. Keeping a pad or two in school locker can help from getting caught off guard.

    Doing the “when will I get my first period quiz” and informed of the signs of an impending period, you can calculate when your period is going to occur. Then the next step is to get yourself well-prepared.

    Can A Girl Get Pregnant As Soon As Her Period Starts

    How to Stop Your Period Early

    Yes, a girl can get pregnant as soon as her period starts. A girl can even get pregnant right before her very first period. This is because a girl’s hormones might already be active. The hormones may have led to and the building of the uterine wall. If a girl has sex, she can get pregnant, even though she has never had a period.

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    Will Being Super Healthy Help Delay Menopause

    Although maintaining good overall health is important for a variety of reasons, it wont necessarily translate to later menopause, says Streicher. I have women who tell me, I have a healthy diet, Im thin, I work out all the time, and I look young. Im sure Im not going to go through menopause early, and when I do, I wont have hot flashes and other symptoms. I wish I could say that was true, but its not, she says.

    Body weight might matter, though. We do know that the extremes of weight, in someone who is very obese or someone with very low body weight, may impact the onset of menopause, but for the majority of women in the middle it doesnt seem to have a big impact, says Streicher.

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