When Your About To Start Your Period

When Will I Get My First Period

Starting Your Period: A Beginners Guide!!!

Find out if you’re displaying the common signs of starting your period.

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As they approach their teenage years, most girls start to wonder when their periods might start. Some look forward to this moment as a sign that they are really growing up. Others are a little nervous about how they will feel, or how they might manage their period. Either way, it can be good to know whether you are likely to get your period soon.

With periods usually starting between the ages of 10-16 years, it can be hard to predict when your first period will arrive. However, your body will probably start to show some tell-tale signs when your first period is on its way. “Puberty has a predictable pattern,” explains GP Dr Jeff Foster. “Understanding the significance of different signs such as breast development, vaginal discharge, pubic hair and underarm hair can give us an indication about whether a first period is likely to occur soon.”

Pads And Panty Liners

Sanitary pads are rectangular pieces of absorbent material that you stick inside your underwear.

All pads have a sticky strip on the bottom. Thats what attaches the pad to your underwear.

Some have extra material on the sides, known as wings, that you fold over the edges of your underwear. This helps keep the pad in place.

Pads typically need to be changed every four to eight hours, but there isnt a set rule. Simply change it if the material feels sticky or wet.

They come in different sizes. Each size is made to accommodate a different level of bleeding.

Generally speaking, the smaller the pad, the less blood it can hold.

Youll probably use a more absorbent pad at the beginning of your period then switch to something lighter once the bleeding slows down.

You may also find it helpful to wear a heavier pad overnight so you dont have to worry about leakage.

Even the largest pads are still quite thin, so you shouldnt be able to see it through your clothes. If youre worried that people might be able to tell, stick to looser-fit bottoms.

Panty liners are smaller, thinner versions of a sanitary pad.

You may find it helpful to use them a couple of days before your period is supposed to start to prevent accidentally bleeding on your underwear.

You may also want to use panty liners toward the end of your period, as the bleeding may be spotty and unpredictable.

Reasons Why Your Period Might Be Delayed

A typical menstrual cycle is considered to be 21 to 35 days.

The absence of menstruation is called amenorrhea. Girls who havent started their periods by the age of 15 and women who have missed three or more periods in a row have amenorrhea.

There are several possible causes of delayed or missing periods:

  • stress

Substances that can help to induce a period are called emmenagogues. Be aware that some emmenagogues are also abortifacients. An abortifacient is a substance that can cause miscarriages in pregnancy.

Pregnancy warning

If theres any chance your period is late because you are pregnant, using emmenagogues to induce a period may terminate your pregnancy. This can be very dangerous. If theres any chance you are pregnant, do not take these substances.

If you are trying any herbs, buy from a reputable source. The FDA doesnt monitor herbs like they do food and drugs, and there may be concerns with quality or purity, especially if the herbs are produced outside of the United States.

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Q How To Track Your Period Manually

  • Note the first day of your last menstrual period as day One.
  • Count the days in between before you start another period. Or you can just count 28 days.
  • After a couple of months of marking likewise, you will be then able to figure out the actual menstrual cycle length, and you can calculate accordingly.

Another way is to keep track of the physical signs you experience in a period. Cramping, breast tenderness, white discharge are some of the common symptoms. The next time, when you start to experience such symptoms, you should be aware that your next period is going to start.

Emotional changes is another way to track your period manually. The fluctuating hormones alter your emotions such as feeling depressed, anxious or irritable for no apparent reason.

How Can I Keep Track Of My Menstrual Cycle

8 Obvious Signs that Your Period is Coming

You can keep track of your menstrual cycle by marking the day you start your period on a calendar. After a few months, you can begin to see if your periods are regular or if your cycles are different each month.

You may want to track:

  • Premenstrual syndrome symptoms: Did you have cramping, headaches, moodiness, forgetfulness, bloating, or breast tenderness?
  • When your bleeding begins: Was it earlier or later than expected?
  • How heavy the bleeding was on your heaviest days: Was the bleeding heavier or lighter than usual? How many pads or tampons did you use?
  • Period symptoms: Did you have pain or bleeding on any days that caused you to miss work or school?
  • How many days your period lasted: Was your period shorter or longer than the month before?

You can also download apps for your phone to track your periods. Some include features to track your PMS symptoms, energy and activity levels, and more.

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What Is The Menstrual Cycle

The menstrual cycle is the monthly hormonal cycle a females body goes through to prepare for pregnancy. Your menstrual cycle is counted from the first day of your period up to the first day of your next period. Your hormone levels usually change throughout the menstrual cycle and can cause menstrual symptoms.

How Can I Figure Out What Is Happening In My Cycle When Am I Ovulating

Simply tracking your cycle on a calendar, along with some details of your bleeding and symptoms can help you understand your cycle. Record when your period starts and ends, what the flow was like, and describe any pain or other symptoms , changes in mood or behaviour that you experienced. Over several cycles you will be able to see patterns in your cycle, or identify irregularities that are occurring. Use your own calendar or try this menstrual diary. There are also numerous apps available to help you track your period. If your periods come regularly every 21-35 days, chances are excellent that you are ovulating.

Beyond simple calendar tracking, there are a few ways to figure out the timing of your own personal menstrual cycle. Separately or used together, these can be used to help determine when and whether you are ovulating. Three methods you can try are cervical mucus testing, basal body temperature monitoring, and ovulation prediction kits.

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When To Contact A Doctor

Although it is normal for periods to be somewhat irregular to begin with, it is a good idea to talk with a doctor if they do not settle into a regular rhythm or if they cause symptoms that disrupt daily life.

The frequency and heaviness of periods, and any symptoms that accompany them, can be an important indicator of a females health.

It is a good idea for a person to talk with a doctor if they or a young female in their care experiences:

  • a heavy flow that requires pad or tampon changes every 12 hours
  • severe pain or mood changes that prevent normal activities
  • no periods for 3 months or longer after the first period
  • periods that occur sooner than 21 days apart or longer than 35 days apart
  • periods that last for 7 days or longer
  • no period by the age of 15 years old

Emergency medical help is necessary if someone develops any symptoms of TSS, which

When Do Most Girls Get Their Period

Starting your periods, what to expect and your options

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.

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What Is A Normal Menstrual Cycle

The menstrual cycle is a term used to describe the sequence of events that occur within a womans body as it prepares for the possibility of pregnancy each month. A menstrual cycle is considered to begin on the first day of a period. The average cycle is 28 days long however, a cycle can range in length from 21 days to about 35 days.

The steps in the menstrual cycle are triggered by the rise and fall of chemicals in the body called hormones. The pituitary gland in the brain and the ovaries in the female reproductive tract manufacture and release certain hormones at certain times during the menstrual cycle that cause the organs of the reproductive tract to respond in certain ways. The specific events that occur during the menstrual cycle can be described as follows:

Take Your Birth Control

If youre on the pill, you can manipulate when youll get your period and when you wont. According to Dr. Valerie French, if you want to get your period sooner, then just switch to your placebo pills. If you want to skip your period all together, go straight into the hormonal pills instead of taking your placebos the week youre supposed to take them. While this might throw your period for a bit of a loop during the next month, as it will mess with your 28-day schedule, as long as you keep track and are armed with panty liners for possible accidents, youll be fine. You shouldnt have to have an important event or holiday ruined because you have your period and all the possible side effects that come with having it: cramps, bloating, irritation, and the rest of it.

But its worth noting that when you do switch around your pills, there can be other side effects. Jumping to placebo earlier than planned could lead to headaches, Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi, an OB/GYN based in Los Angeles, tells Bustle. This is because pills that contain estrogen keep your hormones at a certain level, so when theyre taken away headaches and mood swings can possibly follow. But thats a small price to pay so you dont have your period while backpacking through Indonesia.

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Why Is Menstrual Period Important To Track

It is important to track menstrual period and the cycle for some reasons. The more you understand about your body and the menstrual cycle, the more quickly you can know if something is amiss. A change in menstrual cycle is often a symptom of a variety of health issues in women.

It is also important to track the menstrual periods if you are planning to conceive or if you are trying to have a safe sex to avoid pregnancy.

The primary goal of tracking your monthly periods is to estimate the length of the menstrual cycle and assume the possible time of ovulation. If you are trying for pregnancy, you can have an intercourse around the ovulation time, and if you want to avoid pregnancy, you should abstain from sex for some days before and after ovulation.

Also when your periods become irregular, it may indicate health conditions such as thyroid issue, hormonal fluctuations, diabetes, liver problems, gaining or losing a significant amount of weight, extreme stress or adopting a new exercise routine. If irregular menstrual periods is coupled with any other symptoms, you should check with your OB-GYN.

What Are The Signs You Are Getting Your Period

Early 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.
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    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.

    What If I Bleed Through My Clothes Are They Ruined

    Not necessarily! Before we get into the nitty-gritty, know that leaks happen to everyone.

    When you first start your period, youre learning about how much you bleed, how much your menstrual product can hold, and when your flow is heaviest.

    If you can, keep a couple of stain wipes in your bag. They can help get the worst of the stain out and hold things over until youre able to clean the fabric properly.

    You can also tie a jacket or sweatshirt around your waist to help cover the stain until youre able to change.

    When you get home, try this method to get blood stains off:

  • Soak the stained fabric in cold water as soon as possible. Warm or hot water will cause the stain to set into the fabric, so make sure the water is cold.
  • If you have stain remover handy, nows the time to spray it on. Make sure the affected area is completely soaked. Allow it to sit for as long as the products label recommends.
  • If you dont have a stain remover or you want to double up on your technique rub bar soap or dab liquid soap into the affected area. You should get a small lather, where little bubbles appear on your pants.
  • Rinse and repeat the soap scrub until the stain lifts.
  • If the stain doesnt remove all the way, you can wash the clothing in the washing machine. Just make sure you use cold water instead of warm or hot.
  • Allow the clothing to air-dry. The heat from the dryer can make the stain set permanently.
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