What Happens When You Start Your Period

What To Do When You Get Your Period

First period – how to know when menstruation is coming?

Before you start getting periods it is good to be prepared for when it eventually comes. Hopefully you will have an opportunity to talk with your mother or sister or someone else in your family who can help you to prepare. Meanwhile here are some tips for when you do start bleeding.

  • Use sanitary products like a pad, tampon or panty liner to absorb the bleeding. Pads and liners are longs strips of cotton that you stick to your underwear. Tampons are thin cylinders of dense cotton attached to a string that you put inside your vagina. Pads, liners and tampons come in different shapes and sizes but all of them need to be changed every four to six hours to stop leakage. You can use a tampon whenever you want, you don’t have to wait until you start having sex before a tampon will go in. It may be a little hard to get it in to begin with, but you will get used to it very quickly.
  • Keep a period kit somewhere handy. This is because you might get your period unexpectedly or forget its due. Keeping some painkillers, sanitary products and a spare pair of underpants in your bag, at school or at work can be a lifesaver.
  • Enjoy life as much as possible. Its safe and often possible to do all the things you would normally do. Its also okay to have sex when you have your period, but if youre using a tampon youll need to take it out first.

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What Could Happen If I See A Doctor

Always see a doctor if you have sudden changes to your periods – like irregularity, heavier-than-usual bleeding, periods that are lasting longer than they usually do for you, or if you experience extreme or severe pain during your period. Depending on what symptoms you have, your doctor could recommend a host of treatments for your abnormal period cramps. They might decide a pelvic examination is in order to diagnose the cause, and then they may prescribe contraceptive pills, or a course of injections that can ease period cramps, skip periods, shrink cysts, or they may prescribe antibiotics to treat PID. They may refer you to a specialist to rule out underlying medical conditions or surgery to remove fibroids, cysts or help with scarring. You should never be scared to see a doctor they are there to help and ease whatever symptoms or pain you might have.

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.

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    Emotions Can Be At An All

    Sometimes, a woman knows she’s about to get her period just by how she feels emotionally. Sure, bloating and cramping might also be happening, but when you have your period, your emotions may also be at an all-time high. You might experience mood swings or just extreme emotional reactions to things that you normally wouldn’t give a second thought to. So, on your period, a commercial for reusable plastic bags might bring you to tears, and there’s no shame in that!

    In fact, you can blame your menstrual cycle. Gynecologist and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists fellow Dr. Carol Livoti, MD, told Everyday Health that “estrogen levels drop like a rock and begin rising slowly before dropping again just before menstruation starts.” Those changing levels of hormones can really mess with your emotions, even after your period starts. According to Medical News Today, it can take a few days after the start of your period for your emotions to regulate themselves again. So if you start to feel extra sad, mad, or happy when you have your period, don’t add stress to the equation these feelings are totally normal.

    When Will I Get My Period

    How to Know That Your First Period Is Coming

    No one can say exactly when you’ll get your first menstrual period, but it will be sometime duringpuberty. Puberty is the time in your life when you begin to become an adult. This means a lot of growing and changing both inside and out.

    Some girls start puberty at age 8, and others may start as late as 13 or 14. Each girl goes at her own pace. So don’t think you’re weird if you start puberty a little earlier or a little later than your friends.

    At the beginning of puberty, you’ll notice that your breasts are developing and hair will start to grow on your genitals . A little later, hair also will grow under your arms.

    For most girls, their first menstrual period, or menarche , begins about 2 years after she first starts to get breasts. For most girls this is around age 12. But it can be as early as age 8 or as late as 15. Talk to your doctor if your period started before age 8 or you are 15 and havent started your period.

    A good sign you’re getting close to the time when your first period will arrive is if you notice a discharge coming from your vagina. It might be thin and slightly sticky or thick and gooey, and can be clear to white or off-white in color. Usually, this happens about 6 months before you get your first period.

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    What Happens To Your Body When You Induce A Period

    Periods occur because our main fertility hormones – that’s oestrogen and progesterone – go through a well-rehearsed dance, rising and falling at particular times within our cycle. “Using specifically targeted hormonal medication chemically manages these hormonal peaks and troughs, and signals the uterus to shed its lining,” explains Lythgoe.

    When you induce a period, it can alter:

    • the nature of your period
    • the rate of your flow
    • the number of days you bleed
    • the regularity of your normal cycle

    Or, you can choose to remain on hormonal contraception. “Then you can actively manage as and when you bleed,” explains the matron.

    What Do I Need To Know About My Period

    Menstruation is when blood from your uterus drips out of your vagina for a few days every month. You start getting your period during puberty, usually when youre around 12-15 years old.

    Your menstrual cycle is what makes your period come every month. Its controlled by hormones in your body. The purpose of the menstrual cycle is to help your body get ready for pregnancy. Your menstrual cycle = the time from the 1st day of your period to the 1st day of your next period. Learn more about how your menstrual cycle works.

    Most people get their period every 21-35 days around once a month . The bleeding lasts for 2-7 days its different for everyone. Your period might not always come at the same time each month, especially when you first start getting it. It can take a few years for your period to settle into its natural rhythm, and some people never get regular periods throughout their lives.

    Missing your period can be a sign of pregnancy if youve had penis-in-vagina sex without using birth control. But there are other reasons your period might be late, too. Learn more about what to do if you miss your period.

    There are lots of ways to deal with the blood that comes out of your vagina when you have your period. You can use pads, tampons, period underwear, or a menstrual cup to collect the blood, so it doesnt get on your clothes. Learn more about using tampons, period underwear, pads, and cups.

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    You Can Get Pregnant During Your Period

    Itâs time to squash that age-old myth: Your period doesnât protect you from pregnancy. There are a couple of reasons why. First, some women may bleed when their ovaries release an egg each month, called ovulation, and mistake it for their period. Youâre at your peak fertility when you ovulate. So if you have sex during this time, it could actually make you more likely to get pregnant.

    Second, you may ovulate before your period is over or within a few days after the bleeding stops. Since sperm can hang out in your body for up to 3 days, having sex during your period could lead to conception.

    Use a condom or other form of birth control to prevent an unplanned pregnancy, no matter what time of the month it is.

    What Will It Be Like

    What its like to first get your period

    Every females period is different. Periods can vary in duration, frequency, and heaviness. Some females have very light periods, while others have heavy periods.

    For some, the first period is light, with a small amount of blood. It may begin gradually, starting with some spotting or brown discharge before becoming red.

    For others, periods begin suddenly, with bright red blood appearing straight away. In either case, this is normal. Period blood can range in color from brown to dark red. Some people may also pass small blood clots.

    Having a period can feel similar to having vaginal discharge, but some females do not feel much at all.

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    Pms Is Still A Mystery

    Itâs 1 or 2 weeks before your period starts, and here come the breakouts, sluggishness, cravings, bloating, and mood swings. Sound familiar? Every woman is different, but for many, PMS is a fact of life.

    But doctors donât know exactly why that is. It seems to be a mix of hormone changes during your menstrual cycle, chemical changes in the brain, and other emotional issues you might have, such as depression, that can make PMS worse.

    Whatâs more, once you get your period, the rollercoaster may continue. One study found that period-related pains such as cramps, bloating, backaches, and headaches can cloud your thinking, because the pain may make it harder for you to focus on the tasks at hand. Not that you canât still do them — you can. It may just feel like it takes more work.

    Lifestyle changes are usually the best way to take control of PMS. Aim to get about 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week, get 8 hours of shut-eye per night, and donât smoke. Your diet makes a difference, too, so fill up on fruits, veggies, and whole grains while you limit salt as well as sugar, caffeine, and alcohol.

    Let your doctor know if PMS keeps you from doing what you normally do, or if you have symptoms of depression or anxiety. You may have a more serious condition called premenstrual dysphoric disorder that needs medical attention.

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    Mood Changes Before And During Periods

    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.

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    Things You Can Do To Relieve Period Cramps

    As experts in period products, weve compiled a list of five things you can do to help ease your period symptoms. Some may surprise you, but they do work, and its totally worth the try! If your symptoms persist outside of the norm, or are excruciating, you should talk to your doctor.

  • Have an orgasm Surprise! Whether you are going solo, or getting help from a partner or a friend, having an orgasm on your period can help with reducing period cramps, and with other things as well. When you orgasm, your body releases a rush of dopamine and serotonin which are natural pain relievers in the body, which can also improve your mood! In addition to the endorphins, oxytocin is also released into the body, which is linked to feelings of sleepiness, which may help with a better night’s sleep. If you want to stay mess free, try using our menstrual cup for no leaks during play.
  • Limit certain foods When youre getting close to your period, you should avoid certain foods because they can make period symptoms worse. Caffeine causes the narrowing of blood vessels which can intensify cramps during your period. Eating refined sugars and carbs can make it harder for your body to balance and produce hormones too and can also cause bloating by making your body retain sodium and water. Fatty foods increase prostaglandins, and we know what happens when we get more of those!
  • My Period Just Started What Should I Do

    In the spirit of being open about periods, here are some things that ...

    If youve started your period and dont have something to use for the blood, try not to worry. You can fashion a temporary pad out of toilet paper to hold things over until youre able to get a proper pad or tampon.

    Heres how:

  • Take a long section of toilet paper and fold the layers over each other.
  • Place this where a pad would go along the panel of fabric between your legs thats in the middle section of your underwear.
  • Take another length of toilet paper and wrap it around the pad and your underwear a few times. This will help hold the tissue in place.
  • Tuck the end of the tissue into the top of the finished wrap. You now have a makeshift pad.
  • If youre at school, you may consider asking your teacher or nurse for a pad or tampon. Theyve been asked before trust us.

    Your first period may only last a couple of days. Your first period . .

    It may take a couple of months for your period to settle into a regular schedule and consistency.

    Once it does, your period may last anywhere from two to seven days each month.

    Although a persons first few periods are often light bringing a few spots of red-brown blood throughout the week you may have a heavier flow.

    Your monthly period will follow a more consistent pattern once your hormones stabilize.

    Heavier bleeding isnt necessarily cause for concern. But if you feel like youre losing too much blood, tell your guardian or talk to the school nurse.

    You should also tell a trusted adult if you:

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