What Happens Before You Get Your Period

Can A Girl Get Pregnant As Soon As Her Period Starts

What to do if I get my periods in school?

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 girls 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.

Dont Miss: What Is Due Diligence Period In Real Estate

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

    What Are The Signs You Are Getting Your Period

    Women usually start noticing physical and mood changes about 1-2 weeks before period bleeding starts. Ninety percent of women have premenstrual syndrome symptoms at some point in their reproductive life. Some women have more severe PMS signs and symptoms than others.

    Changing hormones are to blame for many uncomfortable or unpleasant period signs and symptoms like cramps and tender breasts. Brain chemicals are also involved, but itâs unclear to what extent.

    Period signs and symptoms usually end about 3-4 days after bleeding begins.

    Common signs that your period is approaching are:

  • Youâre breaking out.Acne is a common problem at this time of the month. Adult women get acne much more than men do, and itâs all because of hormones. Period-related breakouts are called cyclical acne. Rising hormone levels kickstart oil production, which clogs pores and causes pimples as your period is about to start. Before or during your period, you may notice breakouts on your chin and jawline area.
  • Your breasts are sore or heavy.Breast pain linked to periods is called cyclical breast pain. Your breasts may feel tender or swollen right after ovulation until a few days after period bleeding starts. Changes in the hormones estrogen, progesterone, and prolactin, the breastfeeding hormone, may play a role.
  • Youâre constipated or have diarrhea. When your period is coming, digestive symptoms tend to fall to the extremes. Some women get constipated. Others have diarrhea.
  • Show Sources

    Don’t Miss: How Does Thinx Period Underwear Work

    Can You Take Emergency Contraception

    If you had unprotected sex and want to avoid pregnancy, take emergency contraception as soon as possible.

    There are two main types the copper IUD and the hormonal EC pill and they can both work up to five days after unprotected sex.

    The IUD prevents pregnancy by producing an inflammatory reaction thats toxic to sperm and eggs.

    Its more effective than the morning-after pill, but its only available by prescription and has to be inserted by a doctor within five days of unprotected sex.

    The pill delivers a high dose of hormones to delay ovulation or prevent a fertilized egg from implanting to the uterus.

    Plan B One-Step, Next Choice, and MyWay are all available over the counter.

    Which should you use?

    Treatments For Early Pregnancy And Periods

    All you need to know about implantation bleeding

    Both early pregnancy and period symptoms are easily managed on your own.

    Once youâve found out that you are pregnant, you should learn what to avoid and what to do to help your baby have proper development. Before you try any home remedies, check with your doctor first to make sure they are safe for you and your baby.

    To ease pregnancy symptoms, eat healthfully, drink plenty of fluids, and take your prenatal vitamins. Reduce your stress with yoga and meditation. If these remedies do not work, contact your doctor about safe medications to take.

    If you have gotten your period and are not pregnant, there are remedies you can try at home to care for your PMS symptoms. These include:

    • Exercising regularly through the month
    • Eating healthy foods consistently

    Recommended Reading: How To Calculate Period Cycle Length

    Related Stories From Yourtango:

    Don’t panic if you notice brown discharge typically this happens when your uterus is expelling the first few bits or last little bits of period blood, causing your discharge to have a brown tint to it. Completely normal.

    But keep in mind: if you experience green, yellow, or a strong-smelling discharge, definitely consult your doctor to make sure everything’s healthy down there. Things like yeast infections and other conditions can cause discharge that you’ll need to clear up with medication.

    You’re More Sensitive To Pain During Your Period

    You may notice that during or right before your period, you are much more sensitive to pain everywhere. Pain is caused by the lowering of your estrogen levels right before your period starts, and according to an article published by The National Center for Biotechnology Information, “Changes in hormones can affect various body responses,” including pain tolerance.

    RELATED: 3 Ways To NOT Feel Like Total And Utter Crap On Your Period

    Don’t Miss: Why Am I Getting My Period Every Two Weeks

    Youre Craving Certain Foods

    While it can be a source of comfort to reach for the chocolate box in the days before our periods, theres a perfectly scientific reason for craving certain foods. Once again it all comes down to changes in hormone levels. These hormonal fluctuations can make us crave sweet or salty foods and can affect our appetite at different points in the cycle too.

    Sometimes a treat is exactly what we need to pick us up on those difficult days, but keep in mind that maintaining a healthy diet and drinking lots of water can reduce bloating and other PMS symptoms in the lead up to your period.

    Why Isnt My Period Regular

    First Period – Girl Talk Episode 1

    It can take a few years from the time a girl starts menstruating for her body to develop a regular cycle. Even then, whats regular varies girls cycles can range from 21 to 45 days.

    Changing hormone levels might make your period short one month and more drawn out the next. You might skip a month, get two periods almost right after each other, have a really heavy period, or one so light you almost dont notice it.

    All this irregularity can make planning for your period a real hassle. Try to keep track of when your last period started, and guess that about 4 weeks from that day you could be due for another. If youre worried about wearing that cute dress and suddenly starting your period at school, just make sure you pack protection. Carry a pad or tampon in your backpack, and wear a pantiliner to handle the first wave.

    When it comes to periods, every girls body has a unique timeline for getting on track. If your period still has not settled into a relatively predictable pattern after 3 years, or if you were having regular periods and then become irregular or have no period for a couple of months, make an appointment with your doctor to check for possible problems.

    Also Check: How To Relieve Period Cramps Naturally

    Don’t Miss: Best Way To Get Pregnant With Irregular Periods

    How Do I Know When I Will Get My Next Period

    Its impossible to predict when your next period will start. Most girls and women go about 28 days from the first day of one period to the first day of the next, but anywhere from 21-35 days is normal. Especially in the first few years of menstruating, your period may be very irregular. If you track your period on a calendar , you will begin to notice a pattern over time. You can use this menstrual diary to keep track of your periods.

    When You Have Your Period You Might Experience Painful Cramps

    One annoying side effect you may experience when you have your period is cramping, which tends to be different for each and every woman who experiences them. For some women, period cramps are just small pains they feel every now and then in the lower abdomen. For others, they can be serious enough to leave you bedridden or worse, in the hospital. Usually, that’s a sign of a more serious condition like endometriosis, according to Mayo Clinic.

    Period cramps are caused by your uterus contracting to assist in the shedding of its lining. When that happens, Mayo Clinic explained, “Hormone like substances involved in pain and inflammation trigger the uterine muscle contractions.” No matter how severe your period cramps are, they all tend to have the same key features: Menstrual cramps occur in the lower abdomen, and they tend to start before your period and last a few days. Cramps can make you feel terrible, but, in most cases, they aren’t anything to be concerned about. However, if you are concerned, speak with your gynecologist.

    Also Check: Can I Prevent My Period From Coming

    Comprehensive Explanation Of The Menstrual Cycle:

    The menstrual cycle has three phases:

    1. Follicular Phase

    This phase of the menstrual cycle occurs from approximately day 1-14. Day 1 is the first day of bright red bleeding, and the end of this phase is marked by ovulation. While menstrual bleeding does happen in the early part of this phase, the ovaries are simultaneously preparing to ovulate again. The pituitary gland releases a hormone called FSH follicle stimulating hormone. This hormone causes several follicles to rise on the surface of the ovary. These fluid filled bumps each contain an egg. Eventually, one of these follicle becomes dominant and within it develops a single mature egg the other follicles shrink back. If more than one follicle reaches maturity, this can lead to twins or more. The maturing follicle produces the hormone estrogen, which increases over the follicular phase and peaks in the day or two prior to ovulation. The lining of the uterus becomes thicker and more enriched with blood in the second part of this phase , in response to increasing levels of estrogen. High levels of estrogen stimulate the production of gonadotropin-releasing hormone , which in turn stimulates the pituitary gland to secrete luteinizing hormone . On about day 12, surges in LH and FSH cause the egg to be released from the follicle. The surge in LH also causes a brief surge in testosterone, which increases sex drive, right at the most fertile time of the cycle.

    2. Ovulatory Phase

    3. Luteal Phase

    You Suffer From Headaches And Migraines During Your Period

    Your menstrual cycle explained

    When you are at the end of your period, you may find that you experience some major headaches or migraines. This is because your estrogen levels decrease dramatically towards the end of your cycle. According to Alyssa Dweck, MD in an article on Health.com, more than 70% of women suffer from migraines or excruciating headaches during their period.

    Read Also: How Late Can A Period Be

    What Are Signs Of Period Coming Discharge

    Vaginal discharge before period is thick white discharge.

    During your menstrual cycle, your vaginal discharge may change from time to time. At the beginning of your cycle, after menstruation ends, vaginal discharge is thick white. Some women may experience vaginal dryness just after period ends.

    At the middle of your cycle or just before ovulation occurs, vaginal discharge becomes stretchy and egg white. After ovulation occurs and before your period, vaginal discharge is thick white again.

    Changes in vaginal discharge are due to hormone changes during menstrual cycles. Thick white discharge is a sign your period is coming. It occurs due to low levels of progesterone and estrogen.

    When Should I Have Sex To Conceive

    Conception can happen after unprotected sex as early as five days before ovulation. This is because some sperm can live that long inside female reproductive organs.

    If youre trying to conceive, the best times to have sex are:

    • In the three days before ovulation: In this scenario, sperm will be waiting for the egg to come down the fallopian tube.
    • At ovulation or within 24 hours of ovulating: Your egg lives for only 24 hours, so if you have unprotected sex during this time, your egg may end up waiting for sperm to reach it, or they may run into each other in your fallopian tubes.

    Donât Miss: Is Spicy Food Bad For Pregnancy

    Recommended Reading: Best Time To Get Pregnant After Period

    Your Discharge Has Dried Up

    Another sign your period is coming is discharge, or rather a lack of it. Cervical mucus is a type of vaginal discharge that changes in amount and consistency throughout the menstrual cycle. When were most fertile, cervical mucus is sometimes visible in our underwear or when we wipe after using the toilet. Since were not fertile in the days directly before we get our period, there should be very little or no discharge to see.

    Even after your period has ended, it will likely be a few days before discharge is visible. You can look out for the changes in your cervical mucus throughout your cycle as it varies in amount and consistency as you approach your fertile window.

    So When Is Pregnancy Most Likely

    Kids React to Period 𩸠(Social Experiment)

    The only time you can get pregnant is during your fertile window.

    An egg only lives for about 24 hours after being released from your ovary, and sperm can only live for up to five days inside the body.

    That means you can only get pregnant if you have sex:

    • in the four to five days leading up to ovulation
    • on the day of ovulation
    • on the day after ovulation

    If youre looking to conceive, the best time to have sex is right before ovulation. This will give sperm time to reach the fallopian tube and meet the egg there.

    After that, if no sperm has fertilized the egg, it will dissolve. You wont be able to get pregnant until your cycle restarts.

    You May Like: Do Period Panties Work For Heavy Periods

    Raised Basal Body Temperature

    If you’ve been using a special basal body thermometer to track your first morning temperature, you might notice that it rises around 1 degree when you conceive and stays elevated throughout your pregnancy.

    Though not a foolproof early pregnancy symptom , it could give you advance notice of the big news.

    Your Breasts Are Way More Sensitive Around Your Period

    When you are about to start your period or you are on it, you may notice that your breasts, specifically your nipples, are more sensitive than usual. You may be super tender and any slight touch might be painful, but it’s totally normal. Things should go back to how they usually are within a few days.

    Also Check: Is It Bad To Masterbate While On Your Period

    What Does It Mean To Get Your First Period

    Your body begins to produce adult levels of hormones during puberty. A period happens when your brain sends a signal to your ovaries to release hormones called estrogen and progesterone.

    Every month, starting around the first period, estrogen and progesterone hormones prepare your body for a possible pregnancy. This causes the lining of your uterus to build up. This buildup is to prepare for a fertilized egg to attach and begin development.

    After about a month of buildup without an egg attaching, the buildup will break down and bleed. This blood is what is seen during a period. This cycle repeats every month and is called a menstrual cycle.

    Its common for a cycle not to be regular after a first period. Periods may be hard to predict occurring every 3 weeks, every 2 months apart. This often lasts for the first 1 or 2 years after a first period.

    There are apps that can help track periods. Using an app to track in the first couple of years can help spot if anything is very irregular. You can use information from the app to start a conversation with a doctor.

    Is Pregnancy Possible

    Pregnancy Guide

    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.

    Don’t Miss: Ways To Keep Your Period From Starting

    What Else Should I Do

    • Puberty can cause you to have lots of different feelings and emotions. Talk to people you trust, including your parents who have been through this before. This can help you cope with the changes you are experiencing.
    • Stay away from alcohol, drugs and tobacco. All of these can harm your body and are addictive.
    • Talk to someone you trust about healthy relationships and attractions.

    Read Also: Usaa Grace Period Auto Insurance New Car

    Why Do We Have Periods

    • Day one of your cycle is the first day of your period. This is when your uterus starts shedding the lining it has built up over the last 28 days.
    • After your period is over, the lining of your uterus starts to build up again to become a thick and spongy nest in preparation for a possible pregnancy.
    • On day 14 , one of your ovaries will release an egg, which will make its way through a fallopian tube and will eventually make its way to your uterus .
    • On day 28 , if you have not become pregnant, the lining of your uterus starts to shed. This is your period. The blood you lose during your period is the lining of your uterus.

    The menstural cycle

    If you have sex during a cycle, and your egg meets a sperm, you can become pregnant. When youre pregnant, you dont get your period.

    Recommended Reading: What To Do When Your On Your Period

    Related Posts

    Popular Articles