When Will I Get My First Period
Theres no way to know exactly when youll get your first period. One day, youll see blood in your underwear or on your sheets, and boom there it is! There may be signs of your first period , but this doesnt happen for everyone.
Most people get their first period between ages 12 and 15, but some people get theirs earlier or later than that. Your period might start around the time it did for other people youre related to, like your mom or sisters. If you dont get your period by the time youre 16, its a good idea to go to your doctor or a Planned Parenthood health center just to make sure everythings okay.
Its totally normal to be anxious or curious about getting your period, but try not to stress about it too much. Everyones body is different, so everyone starts their periods at different times. You never know when its going to show up, so carrying a tampon, period underwear, or a pad in your bag can help you feel more ready for when your first period comes.
When To See A Doctor
Schedule an appointment with a pediatrician or endocrinologist if your daughter:
- Has not gotten a period for 6 months. A doctor may try to rule out whether there are any medical issues responsible for the huge gap in periods.
- Suffers from excruciating pain or other symptoms, such as diarrhea and vomiting, during her periods. Hormonal treatments may be recommended
- Experiences extreme mood changes or depression that disrupt her daily life. A doctor may suggest visiting a mental health therapist to help your daughter learn coping strategies to deal with the problem.
Preparing For A First Period: Introduce Her To Menstrual Products
Technically, your daughter can use tampons from her first menstruation. But many doctors feel its better to wait. However, if your daughter is very physically active, she may insist on trying tampons. If thats the case, read the instructions carefully with her and make sure that she understands her own anatomy.
It might also be a good time to understand newer products on the market Period panties might be a great option for a young girl, especially on those days when shes insecure about leaking, and shes still getting to know her own flow.
Once youve helped her choose the right menstrual products, take the time to teach her how to dispose of used tampons or pads.
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How To Prepare Your Daughter For Her First Period
Talking about personal subjects like menstruation can make parents and kids feel uncomfortable, but its crucial to talk to your daughter about this before it happens. This is especially true for girls ages 8 and 9, as it can be emotionally and mentally challenging for girls this young, as well as their parents, according to Dr. Kreckman.
She adds, If your daughter is going through puberty earlier than her friends and classmates, she may feel isolated and embarrassed. The best thing you can do as a parent is to reassure her and explain exactly what is happening to her body.
What other parents are reading
Here are some tips on how you can help your daughter deal with her first period.
Additional Help A Girl Starts Puberty
There are many resources out there to help you and your daughter prepare for her first menstruation.
- Knixteen: Our super protective, period-proof underwear will give you complete peace of mind against period leaks while at school or out with friends.
- The Dot Girl First Period Kit®, is an informative, stylish, and straightforward tool to introduce girls to their period and make it easier for parents to deal with this necessary conversation and transition in a girls life.
- Period: A Girls Guide explains in a straightforward manner the changes all girls go through, answers common questions, and includes a brief description of a pelvic exam.
- American Girls The Care & Keeping of You is a bestselling body book for girls ages 8 and up! It features tips, how-tos, and facts from the experts. Girls will find age-appropriate answers to questions about their changing bodies.
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What Should I Do When My Daughter Starts Her Period
Starting her period is an important milestone in your daughters life. But although you may have seen signs that she is in puberty, her first period may still come as a bit of a surprise. She may be a little scared or embarrassed. As a parent, how do you help your daughter at this crucial time?
Here are 4 things to discuss with your daughter to ease her fears and prepare her for this new stage in her life.
Key Signs That Your Daughter Is About To Start Her Period
Opening up a conversation with your child about puberty and periods before they actually start their period could help them prepare for the changes that are to come. But rest assured this doesnt need to turn into The Talk
Instead, ask them what they already know or have experienced. Use articles and apps to educate both of you and dont be afraid to find things out together.
A first period is usually expected about two years after breast buds start forming, explains Dr. Twogood. That is a good marker for parents because breast buds are usually fairly noticeable. Vaginal discharge is also usually noticed about 6 to 12 months before a period starts. Around this time, your child might also experience a growth spurt.
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Timing Of Implantation Bleeding
The 2-week waiting time from ovulation to the next menstrual period can be pretty frustrating if youre hoping to be pregnant. Interpreting the signs correctly can be tricky, but luckily, sometimes timing in addition to the symptoms above can help you pinpoint whats going on.
Implantation bleeding and menstrual bleeding dont happen at quite the same time. Implantation bleeding happens a bit earlier than when you would expect to get your period.
Lets walk through the timing, so you can compare dates on your calendar. Day 1 of your menstrual cycle is the first day of your last period. Most women with normal cycles ovulate, releasing an egg from the ovaries, around day 14 to 16.
The egg itself is only viable for about 24 hours after being released, but sperm can live inside your body for 3 to 5 days. Its hard to know exactly when fertilization occurs, but the fertilization window is likely the 6 days sandwiched around ovulation.
The fertilized egg then implants into the uterine wall around days 22 to 26 of your cycle. If your body follows a 28-day menstrual cycle, you wont get your period until after day 28.
So, if youre bleeding earlier and lighter than normal, theres a good chance its implantation bleeding, not your period.
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How To Help Prepare Your Daughter For Her First Period
Portra / Getty Images
Many girls are worried that they’ll get their first period at school, camp, or when their mother isn’t around to help. While you have no control over when your daughter’s period will begin, you can prepare her for the unexpected. Here’s what you should know.
Many tween girls worry about when their period will begin. Will it be while they’re at school, camp, or even a friend’s sleepover? The unknown can be scary to a tween who has never had to deal with menstruation before. But you can help prepare your daughter for the unexpected, and ease her anxieties.
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Jillian Michaels: 5 Ways To Control Pms
Open the Lines of Communication
Instead of having a formal menstruation “talk” with your daughter, try opening up the dialogue and, openly and honestly, asking your daughter about her questions.
Here are some suggestions for answering your daughter’s questions about menstruation:
The more information that you share with your daughter about periods and PMS symptoms, the more comfortable and prepared she will feel as her body grows and changes.
How Does Ovulation Relate To Periods
Ovulation is the release of an egg from the ovaries. The same hormones that cause the uterus lining to build up also cause an egg to leave one of the ovaries. The egg travels through a thin tube called a fallopian tube to the uterus.
If the egg is fertilized by a sperm cell, it attaches to the wall of the uterus, where over time it develops into a baby. If the egg is not fertilized, the uterus lining breaks down and bleeds, causing a period.
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Contact Doctor During Office Hours
- Home pregnancy test is positive
- You want a pregnancy test done in the office
- Sexual intercourse within the last 3 months
- Recent breast swelling, weight gain or nausea
- Has missed 2 or more periods and prior periods were regular
- Recent weight loss
Recent Stress Causing Late Period
Start Discussing Periods And Puberty Early
Dont wait to talk to your daughter about her period! Instead, approach periods as a normal part of female life. Beginning at a young age, address questions that may arise about tampons or other feminine products in a matter-of-fact way to help demystify menstruation. Keep the details age-appropriate by not offering too much information to very young children.
As your daughter gets closer to the age when menstruation begins , explain what she can expect physically and review key aspects of anatomy and how the female body works.
Its important to let her know she can come to you with questions and that while talking about periods can be a little uncomfortable at first, menstruation isnt something to be embarrassed or ashamed about.
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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.
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.
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.
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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What Are The Symptoms Of A First Period
Some tweens or teens may not notice symptoms before they get their period, while others may experience premenstrual syndrome for a few days leading up to their period. Do PMS symptoms suck? Yes, yes they do. But the good news is theyre temporary. PMS symptoms can include abdominal bloating, breast soreness, acne, back pain, constipation, diarrhea, fatigue, feeling extra emotional or irritable, food cravings, or clear or white vaginal discharge. You know, all the fun stuff.
by Womens 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.
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Period Symptoms And Pain
When your childs period is coming, they might have a range of physical symptoms, including sore breasts, pimples and greasy hair. Your child might also have a sore tummy, feel sick or have diarrhoea.
Period pain and these associated symptoms are common. If your child gets a sore tummy, back or legs before or during their period, your child could try:
- taking pain medication
- putting a hot water bottle on their lower stomach
- walking or other light exercise
- eating smaller meals more often
- resting and relaxing, particularly with their legs elevated, or lying on one side with knees bent
- lightly massaging the lower stomach
- having warm drinks like hot milk or herbal tea.
Very painful periods are common, as are symptoms like nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. But if your child has period pain that disrupts everyday activities, they should see their GP. Hormone treatments that regulate periods or even turn them off for a while are safe and very effective.
Home Urine Pregnancy Tests
- Home urine pregnancy tests do not cost very much. They are easy to use. Most drugstores sell these tests. No prescription is needed.
- Urine pregnancy tests are very accurate. They can turn positive as early as the first week after a missed period.
- It is best to do the pregnancy test first thing in the morning. Reason: hormone levels are higher in the morning urine.
- Sometimes, a home test is negative even if you think you might be pregnant. In this case, repeat the test. Do the repeat test in 3-5 days. You can also go to a doctor’s office for testing.
- A pregnancy testing fact sheet can be found at www.womenshealth.gov. Search “pregnancy tests.”
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The Teen Years Can Be Incredibly Challenging For Both Kids And Parents
As a dad of 2 middle-school daughters, I see the challenges daily.
Social media pressures . Both my girls have school-mates experimenting with drugs and alcohol and sex. It all happens much younger now than it did when I was their age.
Im not afraid to say it, but my wife and I get professional help with both our oldest girls.
That doesnt mean they are weak . Instead, just the opposite we want them to be strong to not only survive but thrive!
Luckily, we heard about TeenCounseling.com where kids can get professional counseling from a licensed therapist. The best part is the therapist meets with you first to get a clear understanding of what your expectations are. Then, and only once you give your stamp of approval, do they get to meet your child.
to learn more about Teencounseling.com and see if it might be able to help you and your daughter better navigate the coming years.
Let me know how it works for you!
Mom Creates Prep Pack For Her Daughters First Period, And Every Girl Needs One
Scary Mommy
Teaching Your Daughter How To Handle Her Period
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