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.
Change Can Feel Kind Of Strange
Just as those hormones create changes in the way your body looks on the outside, they also create changes on the inside. While your body is adjusting to all the new hormones, so is your mind. During puberty, you might feel confused or have strong emotions that you’ve never experienced before. You may feel anxious about how your changing body looks.
You might feel overly sensitive or become easily upset. Some teens lose their tempers more than usual and get angry at their friends or families.
Sometimes it can be difficult to deal with all of these new emotions. Usually people aren’t trying to hurt your feelings or upset you on purpose. It might not be your family or friends making you angry it might be your new “puberty brain” trying to adjust. And while the adjustment can feel difficult in the beginning, it will gradually become easier. It can help to talk to someone and share the burden of how you’re feeling a friend or, even better, a parent, older sibling, or adult who’s gone through it all before.
You might have new, confusing feelings about sex and lot of questions. The adult hormones estrogen and testosterone are signals that your body is giving you new responsibilities, like the ability to create a child. That’s why it’s important to get all your questions answered.
page 4
How Early Is Too Early To Start Menstruating When Is Too Old
While the average adolescent will get their first period sometime between the ages of 10 and 15, having an earlier or later first period is not necessarily a sign that something is wrong. Some children may have their first period when they are just 8 or 9 years old. Similarly, some people might not get their period until they are 15 or 16, especially if other female family members were late bloomers. Children usually have their first periods about two to three years after their breasts begin to develop and between six to 12 months after they begin to experience vaginal discharge these can be helpful signs to watch out for if you are concerned whether your child is too old or too young to be experiencing their first period.
If your child begins to show signs of puberty before about the age of 8, such as developing breast buds, make sure you help them understand the changes in their body, and consider making a visit to your pediatrician. Your child may be experiencing early puberty, and a healthcare provider can help you determine whether or not there is anything to be concerned about. Similarly, if your child has reached age 15 and has not yet begun their period, consider making an appointment. Factors such as weight , stress levels and exercise frequency and intensity can influence when a child begins their menstrual cycle.
Recommended Reading: Signs Your Gonna Get Your Period
Sex After An Abortion And Contraception Counselling
We advise you not to have sex for 2 weeks to avoid the risk of infection.
Following an abortion your fertility will return almost immediately. If you do not want to get pregnant after having an abortion it is important to have a contraceptive method in place as soon as possible.
As part of your abortion treatment, well help you find a method of contraception that best suits your individual needs: you will be offered a range of contraceptive methods and well be there to advise and talk through your options with you.
Use our new digital contraception counsellor to to find the best contraceptive options for you. Fill out a questionnaire about your lifestyle, preferences, needs and medical history, and youll see a list of the most appropriate contraception options for you.
Please keep in mind that condoms are the only contraceptive method that will help protect you against STIs.
Putting The Pu In Puberty
A lot of teens notice that they have a new smell under their arms and elsewhere on their bodies when they enter puberty, and it’s not a pretty one. That smell is body odor, and everyone gets it. As you enter puberty, the puberty hormones affect glands in your skin, and the glands make chemicals that smell bad. These chemicals put the scent in adolescent!
So what can you do to feel less stinky? Well, keeping clean is a good way to lessen the smell. You might want to take a shower every day, either in the morning before school, or the night before. Using deodorant every day can help keep body odor in check, too.
page 3
Don’t Miss: Period 3 Days Late Negative Pregnancy Test
I Think I Had My First Period How Can I Be Sure
I had my first period a couple of days ago. At least I think it was my period because I had a red-brown smudge that lasted for a day and a half. The problem is, it lasted for such a short time that I’m not sure if it was my period or not. I am really confused!
Lots of girls expect their blood to be bright red during their periods. But it’s completely normal for menstrual blood to be brownish. It’s also perfectly normal for some girls to have their first period for just 2 or 3 days. Many girls will have a very light flow the first few times they get their period, while others have more.
How long your period lasts and how often it comes might change during the first couple of years of menstruation. Thats because your body might make different amounts of hormones from one menstrual cycle to the next. Other things can affect periods too, such as nutrition, exercise, and medicines. If you have any concerns about your period, talk to your doctor.
*Names have been changed to protect user privacy.
When Will I Have Another One
After your first period, your second one can be pretty unpredictable, too. Most people expect it one month after the first period, but in reality, it’s pretty normal for it to happen anywhere from 3 weeks to 3 months after your first period.
Once youâve had a few periods, the best way to predict future ones, is to write down the dates of every period you have and count how many days there are from the start of one period to the start of the next. That tells you your cycle length. Obviously youâll need to have a few periods before you can do this, but it is super helpful for staying aware and prepared!
When you keep track of your periods like that, itâs called âperiod trackingâ . There are lots of ways to track your periods. You can write them on a calendar, in a journal or notebook, or use a period tracker. Make sure you record the day you start and every day you have your flow. You might also want to note when your flow is heavy and when it is light. This is the best way to know your flow so you can be aware and prepared!
Read Also: Does It Hurt When You Get Your First Period
Your Body Feels Sore And Achy
My Period Just Started What Should I Do
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:
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:
You May Like: How To Tell Your Mom You Got Your Period
You Gain Weight During Your Period
Weight gain right before and during your period is totally normal. Progesterone levels are high right before your period starts, which stimulates your appetite, which makes you eat more because you are hungry.
Next, low serotonin levels, which happen when your estrogen levels drop and your period starts, can cause cravings, which makes you eat more of the bad stuff.
Water retention is another side effect of progesterone loss your bodys blood vessels expand to accommodate more fluid, and more fluid means more weight. This might make you crave salty snacks, too, which makes you retain even MORE fluid. Its OK though water weight goes away quickly.
Insulin resistance can be another factor in your weight gain during your period. This is because when people who are insulin resistant, right before their period have sugar cravings caused by progesterone. When you are insulin resistant, sugar is not processed normally in your body so it stays in your bloodstream longer, which contributes to weight gain.
Finally, you may notice that when you are on your period, your hormone levels fluctuate causing you to be tired, bloated, and crampy. These symptoms make you want to not move and keeps you from doing anything active .
Can Someone Be Infectious While Asymptomatic
Yes.
The World Health Organization and Australian health authorities say whether someone has symptoms or not, they can still spread COVID-19.
Data suggests that people with COVID-19 appear the most infectious just before showing symptoms and early in their illness.
But the likelihood of someone never displaying symptoms and spreading COVID-19 is still being investigated, WHO said.
Read Also: How To Make Your Period Start Early
What To Do When It Starts
When a period begins, try to find a way to absorb the blood. A female can do this by asking a friend or family member for a pad or tampon.
If it is not possible to use a pad or tampon, try to wrap something absorbent, such as toilet paper or a clean washcloth, around the crotch area of some underwear. This can absorb the blood and prevent leaks.
It can be helpful to prepare a period kit before the first period arrives. This can help with feeling ready. This period kit could consist of:
- an extra pair of underwear
- a variety of tampons and pads, so a female can choose what works best for them
- unscented baby wipes to clean any leakages
Most periods last for
The following sections will look at some absorption methods in more detail.
Prepare For Next Time
Before your next period comes, stock up on whatever collection methods you useand make sure you have a few spare pads or tampons ineach backpack and purse that you take with you most often. They will be a goodbackup option in case your schoolâs bathroom stash runs out.
If you use non-disposables like period panties, or washable cotton pads tomanage your bleeding, remember to also bring a resealable bag or container youcan store used ones in with you in case you would need to change them during theday.
An extra precaution against ruining your dayâs choice of bottoms is to keep aspare pair of underwear stashed away in your backpack or locker.
You May Like: Essential Oils To Help With Period Cramps
What Are Period Symptoms And How Do I Deal With Them
PMS stands for Premenstrual Syndrome. Its when the hormones that control your menstrual cycle cause changes in your body and emotions around the time of your period.
Some of the most common PMS symptoms are:
Some people get PMS every time they have their periods. Others only get PMS every once in awhile. You may have all or just some PMS symptoms. And some people don’t get PMS at all. Learn more about PMS.
Cramps are one of the most common symptoms to have before/during your period. They can be super painful, or just a little annoying. You can calm cramps by taking pain medicine . Putting a heating pad where it hurts, taking a hot bath, exercising, or stretching your body can also help. Learn more about how to deal with cramps.
Certain types of birth control like the pill, shot, implant, and IUD can help with PMS and other period problems. If your PMS is so bad that its hard to do normal activities during your period, talk to an adult you trust or your family doctor. You can also call your local Planned Parenthood health center. You shouldnt have to suffer every month, and they can help you find the cause and get treatment.
Lets Talk About Periods
We have answers for parents about their teens first period. Sharing information and advice is the best way to understand your first period and get rid of any fears you may have! No question is too stupid and if the first person you ask doesnt know, ask another one. I hope my medical experience helps you to understand this process your body is going through, and solve all your questions on getting your first period.
Read Also: I Need To Start My Period Now
Premenstrual Syndrome And Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
Mood changes from about 10 days before your period are called premenstrual syndrome , but if it gets really bad, its called premenstrual dysphoric disorder , which is much more serious and debilitating.
You may feel like you hate yourself or just feel really down and despondent. If you feel like this, you should ask for help from someone you trust, because you may benefit from going on a course of Premular .
If you have really bad PMS or PMDD, you may need to make some adjustments to your diet. This may be new to you, since kids can eat just about anything and it doesnt matter, but as soon as hormones get involved, it starts to matter a lot more.
It can be hard to know whats going on without a bit of assessment, and theres just no way you could possibly know what to do about your diet.
Well get you there slowly but surely, with the first thing to think about being too much oestrogen. Learn more about relative oestrogen excess and how you can change it with what you eat.
Treatment For Period Discomfort
During your period, you may experience discomfort, such as cramps or headaches. Getting regular exercise and staying well hydrated may help improve these symptoms. A heating pad can also be used to help with abdominal cramps, along with over-the-counter ibuprofen.
Talk to a parent or nurse if you dont feel good before, during or after your period so you can address any discomfort.
Some girls will experience heavy bleeding, painful and often times debilitating cramps and periods that last longer than one week. Treating cramps with hormone therapy can help alleviate painful periods. Hormone therapy can also help regulate your period if you are experiencing missed periods , long periods or unpredictable bleeding .
Don’t Miss: What Causes Your Period To Stop
How Much Blood Is Normal
A normal menstrual flow should be about 2 tablespoons of blood per day thats only a tiny amount!
The first period can be confusing, exciting and even scary. Its normal to feel a little anxious about it.
Make sure you have time to yourself when your period starts so you can get used to it. You may also want to take a hot bath with some lavender oil in the water.
The most important thing is to remember that your first period is just the beginning of many more to come!
Welcome to the club! Your first period is a big milestone in your life and its exciting to be able to talk about it. Its also nerve racking because you dont know what to expect.
If you have a heavy flow, cramps, or pain during your period, there are some things that can help:
Change your pad or tampon every 4-6 hours
Try using liners if they make you feel more comfortable
Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen for any pain and/or bloating .
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.