When Do Tweens/teens Get Their First Period
The age of your first period differs, but most people get it between 12 and 13. Dr. Leigh R. Meltzer, OB/GYN with Indiana University Health Physicians in Carmel, IN, tells Scary Mommy that the age range can widely vary, with tweens or teens typically getting their period about two to two and a half years after the first signs of puberty. As for what those pubescent indicators are, Meltzer says about 85 percent of females notice breast growth or changes while 15 percent see the onset of pubic hair. A period is considered abnormally early if you see signs before the age of eight and abnormally late after age 16.
Your First Period Guide: Age Symptoms Duration & More
If youâre looking to learn more about when to expect your 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 your confidence and decrease worries as puberty progresses and you start to get signs of your first period. So, whether youâre preparing for your first period or youâve already started and just want to learn more about it, weâve got you covered.
Hair Growth On Different Parts Of The Body
One sign of puberty is that you will notice hair growth in places that have no hair before. These may include your underarm, legs, arms and sometimes, at the sides of your lips.
As your underarm hair starts to grow, you will also sweat more and at this time, the smell of your sweat will start to smell differently. To avoid body odors, it is recommended that you use deodorant regularly. You may also want to shave, pluck or have the underarm hair waxed too but thats depending on your preference.
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Breast Pain And Swelling
Do you experience increased pain in your breast before your period starts? Do you notice your breasts are slightly larger before your period?
Before period, some women may experience breast pain and swelling. This is a sign of period coming soon. Some women may have a lump in their breast that disappears after period starts.
Changes in the breast before your period is due to the effect of hormones. Hormones Estrogen and progesterone, will cause your ducts to enlarge and your glands to swell.
In women with a 28-day menstrual cycle, breast tenderness usually occurs 4 days before period .
What to do?
- Drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen can ease your breast pain
- If your breast pain is persistent, you should talk to your doctor
When To Speak With A Doctor
People may wish to see a healthcare professional if they have PMS symptoms that affect their daily life, if the symptoms occur outside of their period, or if they experience any sudden or dramatic changes to PMS or period symptoms.
If a person expects to have a period, but it does not arrive, it is best to speak with a healthcare professional about the potential causes. They may recommend a pregnancy test if someone could be pregnant or other tests if pregnancy is not the cause.
Heavy bleeding and severe abdominal cramping can indicate pregnancy complications, such as pregnancy loss or ectopic pregnancy. Contact a provider immediately if a pregnant person experiences any of the following symptoms:
- heavy bleeding
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Skin Issues Before Periods
Many women experience acne before their period. This is also one of the most significant signs of a period coming soon. As per a study, the reason behind these breakouts is the slight increase in the production of androgen , which stimulates sebum production in the body. An excess of sebum in the body results in acne and breakouts. This acne usually dissipates after the menstrual cycle.
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How To Prepare For Your First Period
There are a few suggestions that can help in managing the first period effectively.
1. Know What It Is Like
Usually the first period is very light and may not even look like blood. Instead, it is a bright red drop or brownish or sticky discharge in the underwear. On average, a woman loses around 1 Oz or 30 ml of blood which equals to two bottles of nail polish during her period. As the first period happens, some may feel wet or liquid flowing out of the vagina, while others may not feel anything. This blood from the vagina is a sign of good healthy and hence those phobic for blood should treat it as a sign of good health.
2. Buy Necessary Supplies
There are a wide variety of feminine hygiene products available in the market. Start with pads that aren’t bulky and have light or medium absorbency. Practicing wearing a pad before the actual period starts helps in understanding its required middle position. Either one uses a tampon or a menstrual cup, it is more important to be comfortable with the protection that one chooses.
3. Bring Pads with You
If your “When will I get my first period quiz” tells you that you period is just around the corner, you should always bring pads with you. It is possible that one may get her period while away from home. In such situation, having a pad surely gives peace of mind. They can be stored in a makeup bag or pencil case to avoid falling or getting noticed. Cramps in period can be very well managed with over the counter medications.
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Are There Any Other Period Signs
Besides tracking the timing of your cycle, some people also know a period is near when they develop certain symptoms that are caused by the menstrual cycle hormones. The most common symptoms reported before a period include bloating, moodiness, food cravings, breast tenderness, headaches, orâ¯menstrual cramps. Within a day or two after the period begins, these symptoms disappear naturally. If you experience some or all of these signs before most of your periods, you may have a condition calledâ¯premenstrual syndrome or PMS.
What Will My First Period Feel Like
You may find your first period comes and goes with very little in the way of symptoms, or you may find you experience quite a bit of discomfort. Common symptoms include:
- Cramping in the lower abdomen
- Breast tenderness
- Diarrhea or nausea
- Dizziness
Most of these symptoms do not last long, and can be treated with ibuprofen or other over-the-counter pain relief medications. A heating pad or hot water bottle on the abdomen or lower back can help ease pain in these areas. More details on menstrual pain and other symptoms can be found here .
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Practical Preparation For Periods
Your child will need a supply of sanitary pads, period-proof underpants, tampons and/or a menstrual cup.
Before your child gets their first period, its a good idea to show your child:
- what pads, period-proof underpants, tampons and cups look like
- how to use pads, period-proof underpants, tampons and cups
- how to dispose of pads and tampons, or rinse period-proof underpants
- how to clean a menstrual cup.
You might want to suggest your child carries pads, underpants, tampons or a cup. For example, they could keep some in a small bag in their school bag and sports bag.
Pads, underpants, tampons or a menstrual cup? Its probably easier for your child to start with pads or period-proof underpants before they try tampons or a menstrual cup.
Your child can use tampons and cups at any age, but it can take some time and practice to get used to them.
When your child is first starting with tampons or a menstrual cup, it might help to practise between periods, to get used to inserting and removing them. For tampons it can help to put a bit of lubricant or petroleum jelly on the tip of a tampon so it slides in more easily, or use water as a lubricant for a menstrual cup. Looking at diagrams of the slope and shape of the vagina can also help, as can using a mirror while practising.
Being comfortable with using tampons or a menstrual cup can be a big help in these busy and active years.
Breast Growth Or Tenderness
One of the first period symptoms that you will notice is breast growth and tenderness. You will feel that your breast is starting to get bigger and in addition to that, you will notice that your nipples are starting to develop too. Along with the growth comes a bit of pain and tenderness but dont worry, it will fade over time.
You can expect your period about two years after your breasts start to develop.
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What Exactly Is A Period
Thereâs a lot to understand about theâ¯menstrual cycleâ¯and periods, but basically, a period is something that begins to happen a couple of years afterâ¯pubertyâ¯begins. When someone has a period, it means they have bloody fluid that is released from the uterus and trickles out of the vagina. Most periods last 3-7 days each month. Itâs called the menstrual cycle because it is a cycle that repeats itself over and over. It may sound weird, but itâs totally normal and it happens to half of the worldâs population, so itâs actually a sign of good health.
What Is A Normal Period For A Teenager
The average menstrual cycle is about 28 days, but its also normal to get your period every 21 to 45 days. Most periods stick around fewer than seven days. Still, Meltzer adds, Almost everything to do with a teens first few years of menstruation can be considered normal. Some teens have very heavy periods, some have very light ones, and some only have one or two periods a year initially. None of that is unusual.
Getting your period can suck. A lot. Periods can be uncomfortable and painful with lots of cramping and discomfort thats all totally normal. But if you cant get out of bed because of debilitating cramping , it could be a sign of a more serious health problem. Check in with your doctor to find out whats going on.
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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:
Is Pregnancy Possible
It is generally safe to assume that most females who get periods can get pregnant.
The first period usually means that ovulation has occurred. Ovulation means that pregnancy is possible. However, both periods and ovulation can be irregular during the first few years after the first period, making it difficult to predict fertility.
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How Does It Start
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
When Do Most Girls Get Their Period
Most girls get their first period when they’re around 12. But getting it any time between age 10 and 15 is OK. Every girl’s body has its own schedule.
There isn’t one right age for a girl to get her period. But there are some clues that it will start soon:
- Most of the time, a girl gets her period about 2 years after her breasts start to develop.
- Another sign is vaginal discharge fluid that a girl might see or feel on her underwear. This discharge usually begins about 6 months to a year before a girl gets her first period.
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Preparing Your Daughter For Her First Period
by Women’s Health Specialists | Aug 16, 2021 | General
Your little girl is growing up! Signs of her age are apparent from simply observing changes that begin to happen before she even gets her first period. Most girls start to menstruate between ages 10 and 15 years old, with an average age of 12. But, changes often start a couple of years sooner. Talking with your daughter about what to expect and reassuring her these changes are normal is key. Here are some signs and symptoms of puberty that you and your daughter will notice before menstruation begins:
- Breast buds She may experience pain or firm bumps in or behind her nipples, signaling the first signs that breast buds are developing. The areola may look bigger or puffy. You can expect her period to start about two years after her breast buds develop.
- Pubic hair Once her pubic hair starts growing, you can expect her period to develop in one to two years. It may begin soft and thin but it will become courser and thicker towards the end of puberty.
- Vaginal discharge She may notice white or yellowish fluid in her underwear which usually means her period is going to start in next few months. Depending on the amount, you may want to offer her a panty liner.
When should you take your daughter to see a doctor?If your daughter hasnt gotten her period by age 16 or if she has bleeding that occurs more frequently than every 21 days or is lasting longer than 7 days, you should make an appointment with one of our OBGYNs.