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:
- 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.
Submitted By Sunshine Then Facebook
It feels like the worst burrito-gas in your entire life, every waking hour, for three to seven days. Who knows how long it will last? It can be sharp, stabby, dull, achy feeling in your abdomen, or in your back. Then you get rivulets of blood complete with chunks for three to seven days. Tampon? Pad? Cup? Have fun choosing your weapon.
What Causes Period Cramps
Period cramps are a side effect of the hard work your body is doing to prepare you for your period. Your uterus is a powerful organ. Each month that you do not become pregnant, your uterus sheds its lining, which results in your period.
Your uterus contracts to shed the inner lining, and that contracting is what causes period cramps. This is why you experience them just before and during your period. These contractions are caused by the release of a compound called prostaglandin. The more prostaglandin you have, the more likely you are to experience period cramping.
You may also experience cramping later in your monthly cycle, during ovulation. Ovulation occurs around day 14 of a 28-day cycle. Before and during ovulation you may experience mild cramping that could be located on one side of your lower abdomen.
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Regarding This What Does A Period Breast Lump Feel Like
They usually feel like round, firm and rubbery lumps. They usually move slightly under the skin when they are pressed. They are not usually painful. Sometimes they can disappear of their own accord or they can be removed.
Fibrocystic breast disease is a term used to describe painful, lumpy breasts prior to the menstrual period
How Much Period Cramp Pain Is Too Much Pain
The pain level can vary from child to child, but the pain should be able to be controlled by over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen or Aleve, Dr. Dwiggins said. Combining heat and ibuprofen will provide even more relief. Disposable heat patches are thin and easy to wear to school or activities.
Your child should not miss school or activities due to period pain. If their pain cant be managed by these strategies, they should be evaluated.
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What Causes Early Pregnancy Cramps
It may feel like period pains, but cramping during early pregnancy is actually your body preparing for your baby to grow. Uterine cramps are often a result of the uterus growing and stretching during pregnancy, explains Halliday.
Other harmless reasons could be a full bladder or bowel, diarrhoea or constipation, ligaments stretching or even dehydration. Women might also experience sensations during or after exercise or sex, she adds.
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An Inflammatory Bowel Disease
What it is: You get long-term swelling and irritation in different parts of your digestive tract. It happens when something goes haywire in your immune system. It isnât the same as irritable bowel syndrome . Crohn’s can affect any part of your digestive tract . Ulcerative colitis involves only the large intestine .
What the cramps feel like: It depends on the type of IBD you have. With Crohn’s, youâll feel cramps and pain in the right lower or middle parts of your belly. They can be mild to severe. If you have ulcerative colitis, the cramps will be on the lower left side of your stomach.
Other symptoms: Which ones you have depend on the specific type of IBD. They include:
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What I Can Do To Relieve Pms
Many of the things that help ease cramps can also help with PMS. Here are some different ways to relieve PMS symptoms:
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Take over-the-counter pain medicine like ibuprofen , naproxen , or acetaminophen . Always follow the instructions on the bottle. Talk with your doctor before taking pain medication if you have an allergy to aspirin or severe asthma.
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Do aerobic exercise, like walking, running, riding a bike, swimming, or any activity that gets your heart rate up. Regular exercise is ideal.
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Do breathing exercises, meditation, or yoga.
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Get plenty of rest. Sleeping regularly every night can help with stress, mood changes, and feeling tired or fatigued.
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Eat healthy foods like fruits, veggies , whole grains, and yogurt.
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Limit fat, salt, sugar, caffeine, and alcohol.
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Make sure you get enough vitamins in your diet, or take vitamin supplements. If you dont get enough calcium, take a supplement of 1200 mg of calcium daily. Magnesium and Vitamin E might also help.
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Use hormonal birth control . Your doctor can help you find a birth control method that can help with PMS.
What Are Treatments For Severe Period Pain
If your period pain is primary dysmenorrhea and you need medical treatment, your health care provider might suggest using hormonal birth control, such as the pill, patch, ring, or IUD. Another treatment option might be prescription pain relievers.
If you have secondary dysmenorrhea, your treatment depends upon the condition that is causing the problem. In some cases, you may need surgery.
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What Period Cramps Feel Like
Cramps can vary in intensity and duration for everyone. They typically vary over the course of your period, with the pain or discomfort lessening after the first few days. This is because the level of prostaglandins is reduced as the uterine lining is shed and the prostaglandins in the lining are expelled from your body.
Often, people will have pain in their lower abdomen or back. But some will only experience pain in the lower back. Some people also experience cramping in their upper thighs.
The uterus is a muscle. When it contracts and relaxes during cramping, it can feel:
- aching or tightening similar to a muscle cramp-like pain
- like a mild stomachache, or even a more painful stomachache, like when you have a stomach virus
Along with menstrual cramps, some women also experience:
- diarrhea or loose bowel movements
Cramps can be uncomfortable or even painful, but they shouldnt keep you home from school or work. That level of pain or discomfort is not typical, and is something you should see your doctor about.
Some cramping with your period is normal and nothing to worry about. Talk to your doctor if:
- your cramps interfere with your life or daily activities
- your cramps get worse after the first few days of your period
- youre over the age of 25 and suddenly start having cramping, or your periods seem more painful than usual
You can try the following remedies to lessen your cramps:
On The Lookout For Changes
Even though there are a wide array of experiences of period pain, it’s also important to learn what’s normal for you, so you can be on the lookout for any changes.
If you experience a sudden increase in your ‘usual’ levels of period pain, or if you start to get period pain when previously you had none, it’s a good idea to speak to your doctor to rule out anything serious.
For more information on pelvic pain including pain that occurs at times outside of your period read our recent article, Pelvic pain: know the different causes and when to seek help.
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Pain Medications Don’t Work
For those 20% who experience monthly discomfort, most can typically get relief with over-the-counter pain medications, like Advil or Tylenol . If over-the-counter medication is not enough to help you get on with your day, however, then your period cramps arent normal.
Very important side note: Some people will take more than the recommended dosage of over-the-counter pain relievers thinking that since they are over-the-counter, they are therefore harmless. Over-the-counter is not a code word for dosage-doesnt-really-matter. Dont do this. It can be extremely dangerous and even deadly.
Never take more pain medication than is indicated on the label or prescribed to you by your doctor. If recommended dosages aren’t enough, speak to your healthcare provider.
Copper Iud: Period Pain After Insertion Vs Cramps Later On
A copper IUD is a nonpermanent, nonhormonal form of birth control that can prevent pregnancy for up to 10 years. The device, which is placed in the uterus by a licensed healthcare provider, works by continuously releasing copper, which immobilizes sperm and prevents egg implantation.
A copper IUD, as opposed to a progestin IUD, can make menses heavier and more painful, particularly in the first few cycles after insertion, says Streicher. But be aware if you have had your copper IUD for years and suddenly develop severe period pain, look for another reason. Your IUD is unlikely to be the culprit.
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Period Pain And Fertility
Period pain that’s part of your normal menstrual cycle will not affect your fertility. However, if the cause is a medical condition, this may affect your fertility.
For example, endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease can cause scarring and a build-up of tissue in your fallopian tubes, making it harder for sperm to reach and fertilise an egg.
Care Advice For Menstrual Cramps
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When Should I See My Doctor About Period Pain
Dysmenorrhea is the medical term for painful periods which are divided into two categories. Primary dysmenorrhea begins when the young girl starts having periods, as was the case with Mandi. Secondary dysmenorrhea, on the other hand, begins a while after the woman has started having regular periods. We discuss the primary and secondary period pain categories in more detail here and this type of period pain is usually caused by a medical condition.5
If your periods are painful, it would be sensible to consult your healthcare provider, especially if:6
- they stop you from leading a normal life, including going to school or work and taking regular exercise
- the pain is not helped by an over-the-counter pain medication like Cipladon
- the bleeding is heavier than usual
- you are more than 25 years old and have never had a painful period
Disclaimer: The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.
How Is The Cause Of Severe Period Pain Diagnosed
To diagnose severe period pain, your health care provider will ask you about your medical history and do a pelvic exam. You may also have an ultrasound or other imaging test. If your health care provider thinks you have secondary dysmenorrhea, you might have laparoscopy. It is a surgery that that lets your health care provider look inside your body.
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When To See A Doctor
If you have symptoms of a UTI, see your doctor. They can use a urine test to determine if bacteria are present in your urine. If you do have a UTI, a course of antibiotics can help to clear up your infection.
If a UTI is left untreated, the infection may spread from your bladder to your kidneys. This can lead to serious complications like kidney damage and sepsis.
Its also important to remember that cramping and pain in your lower abdomen can be caused by other health conditions as well. Some examples of conditions that cause abdominal cramps or pain include:
Your Cramps Don’t Feel Normal
If youre worried your period cramps arent normal, then you should take that concern seriously. Worrying isnt a sign that something is wrong, but it could suggest things might be wrong. Many people are afraid to talk to their doctors about symptoms that cant easily be quantified.
If you have a fever, your doc can confirm that by taking your temperature. If youre experiencing pain, your doctor has to take your word for it. This keeps a lot of people from seeking help.
Additionally, complaints about pain are sadly sometimes dismissed. If you brought up your pain to a doctor in the past, and they brushed it off as not serious, you may be reluctant to bring it up again. But you should bring it up again. Especially if youre concerned about it.
Some of the possible causes for painful crampslike endometriosisare diseases that take years to get properly diagnosed. Keep asking for help until someone hears you.
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What Causes Cramps With No Period
Lots of women get pelvic pain and cramping, but your period isn’t always to blame. Cysts, constipation, pregnancy — even cancer — can make it feel like your monthly visitor is about to stop by.
It can be tough to tell whether having cramps without a period is caused by something simple or more serious. But there are common reasons for cramping without your period.
Treatments For Early Pregnancy Cramping
Early pregnancy cramps may be relieved without medication. Try the following home treatments to relieve pain:
- Lie down, sit, or change positions
- Take a warm bath
- Place a heating pad or hot water bottle at the site of the cramp
- Perform relaxation exercises
Drinking plenty of fluids may also help with cramp prevention.
In the case of more persistent cramping, you may want to try over-the-counter pain relievers. You may need to avoid some of the following medications, but a few are perfectly safe in your first trimester:
Acetaminophen
Most pregnant people can take low doses of acetaminophen without fear of harming either their fetus or themselves.
Aspirin
Aspirin can contribute to maternal or fetal bleeding. Low doses of the drug are most likely safe, but use sparingly. You may also want to avoid it if you are spotting.
Ibuprofen and Naproxen
These NSAIDs are safe for pregnant people during the first trimester. However, during late pregnancy they have been associated with an increased risk for a rare but serious fetal heart problem called premature ductal closure. If your doctor is concerned about this, they may recommend alternative pain-relieving medications.
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Does Pregnancy Play A Role In Cramps After Sex
As long as you dont have a high-risk pregnancy, its safe and healthy to have sex up until your water breaks. You cant harm your unborn baby by having sex while theyre in your body. However, your doctor may advise against you having sex if youve experienced:
- a history of cervical weakness
- a low-lying placenta
Pregnant women often experience cramping after sex. Thats because orgasms can set off contractions in the womb, which lead to cramps. This is especially common when a woman is in her third trimester of pregnancy. Relaxing for a few minutes can allow the cramping to ease.
What Kind Of Lumps Are Normal In Breasts
There is a good chance that its noncancerous, as most breast lumps are benign. Breast tissue can be lumpy or dense, and thats normal. Its a good idea to do monthly breast exams to get to know your breast tissue and what is normal for you.
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