How old should you be when you start your period?
The average age at which people get their first period is 12. However "there is a large normal range, between the ages of 10 and 16," explains Dr Deborah Lee, from Dr Fox Online Pharmacy. Some may start their period as young as 8 years old.
What age are you most likely to start your periods?
Typically, you'll start your periods about 2 years after your breasts start growing and about a year after getting a white vaginal discharge. The average girl will get her first period around 12 years old, but it varies from person to person.
What should I do if I start my period?
– Drink 3-4 cups of green tea or other herbal tea a day to boost your menstrual period. – Eat plenty of foods high in iron during your period (such as meat and egg yolk) to replace the hemoglobin in red blood cells due to blood loss. – Do not overdo it when you try to induce menstruation, as you could injure your health.
What is the youngest age to start a period?
“It is not uncommon for girls to start their period as young as 8 or 9,” says Dr. Sara Kreckman, UnityPoint Health pediatrician. “This can be both emotionally and mentally challenging for girls this young, as well as their parents.”
When do girls get their period?
What factors determine the time of a period?
What is it called when you have a period without an egg?
How to prepare for a first period?
Why is it important to talk about your first period?
What hormones do you release during your period?
See 3 more
About this website
Is it normal for a 9 year old to have a period?
Most young people will have their first periods when they're between 11 and 14½, but anywhere from 9-16 years is considered normal.
What are the first signs of a girl starting her period?
PMS (premenstrual syndrome) is when a girl has emotional and physical symptoms that happen before or during her period. These symptoms can include moodiness, sadness, anxiety, bloating, and acne. The symptoms go away after the first few days of a period.
At what age period goes?
Menopause is the time that marks the end of your menstrual cycles. It's diagnosed after you've gone 12 months without a menstrual period. Menopause can happen in your 40s or 50s, but the average age is 51 in the United States.
Is it normal to get your period at age 10?
When do most girls get their period? Most girls get their first period when they're between 10 and 15 years old. The average age is 12, but every girl's body has its own schedule. Although there's no one right age for a girl to get her period, there are some clues that it will start soon.
What is a first period called?
Your first menstrual period is called menarche. It usually happens around age 12. But it may start earlier or later. Your period is a part of your menstrual cycle.
What color is your first period?
Your first few periods may be very light. You may only see a few spots of reddish brown blood. Anywhere from 2 to 7 days is normal.
Do periods hurt?
Period pain is common and a normal part of your menstrual cycle. Most women get it at some point in their lives. It's usually felt as painful muscle cramps in the tummy, which can spread to the back and thighs. The pain sometimes comes in intense spasms, while at other times it may be dull but more constant.
Why do periods hurt?
During your menstrual period, your uterus contracts to help expel its lining. Hormonelike substances (prostaglandins) involved in pain and inflammation trigger the uterine muscle contractions. Higher levels of prostaglandins are associated with more-severe menstrual cramps.
How can u stop ur period?
How to stop your periodBirth control pills. With a lot of different brands and options, birth control pills are widely used to prevent pregnancy. ... Intrauterine devices (IUDs) ... Vaginal rings and patches. ... Shots. ... Implants.
Can a 7 year old get her period?
Most girls start their periods when they're about 12, but they can start as early as 8, so it's important to talk to girls from an early age to make sure they're prepared.
Do boys have periods?
Guys don't have periods because they don't have a uterus, but their bodies develop and change too – the changes are just different. For example: their voice changes and they develop hair on their face and other parts of their bodies. So, although guys don't get periods, their bodies do go through changes too.
Can you swim with a pad?
When you get out of the water your period will flow again normally, so it's a good idea to use a tampon or menstrual cup while swimming. Pads and pantyliners aren't a good option because they will absorb water and become ineffective.
What are signs of periods?
PMS (premenstrual syndrome)feeling bloated.breast tenderness.mood swings.feeling irritable.spotty skin or greasy hair.loss of interest in sex.
What are signs of no period?
Depending on the cause of amenorrhea, you might experience other signs or symptoms along with the absence of periods, such as:Milky nipple discharge.Hair loss.Headache.Vision changes.Excess facial hair.Pelvic pain.Acne.
What happens before your period?
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a combination of symptoms that many women get about a week or two before their period. Most women, over 90%, say they get some premenstrual symptoms, such as bloating, headaches, and moodiness.
What discharge comes before period?
The white discharge you may see before your period is known as leukorrhea. It's filled with fluid and cells that are being shed from the vagina and may even look slightly yellow at times. This part of your menstrual cycle is called the luteal phase. It's when the hormone progesterone peaks in your body.
No Period by Age 15? 10 Possible Reasons for the Delay - WebMD
Girls usually get their first menstrual period when they’re 12 or 13. It’s a sign that your body is maturing, so that one day, if you want to, you should be able to have a baby.. By age 15, 98 ...
I Started My Period At Age 10. My Mom Made It The Best Day Ever. - HuffPost
A stranger would probably have remarked on her surprising strength, but by the time I could form memories, I was already used to it. When my mom put her mind to something, from chopping wood to surviving poverty to becoming one of the first women on the local sheriff’s department, she didn’t care what people assumed she was capable of.
First Menstruation: Average Age and Physical Signs - Contemporary OB/GYN
Physical Signs That Precede First Menstruation. While girls vary in the ages that they are when they start their periods and when the other signs of puberty occur, the order is fairly consistent.
Menstruation: What's Normal for Girls - WebMD
Nov. 7, 2006 -- New guidelines explain what to expect -- and when to see a doctor -- during a girl's first years of menstruation. The guidelines come from the American Academy of Pediatrics ...
When do you start your period?
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.
How long before your period do you have to be ready?
Usually, this happens about 6 months before you get your first period. If you think you're getting close to your first period, it might make you more comfortable to be ready. Put a pad and change of underwear in your backpack or purse in case your period comes when you aren't at home.
How do you know if you're getting your first 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.
When does hair grow under arms?
For most girls this is around age 12. But it can be as early as age 8 or as late as 15.
How long does a period last?
(2019). 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.
When does your period follow a pattern?
Your monthly period will follow a more consistent pattern once your hormones stabilize.
How long should a tampon stay in your vagina?
Tampons must be changed every eight hours at most. Leaving a tampon in for more than eight hours can increase your risk for irritation or infection as a result of the bacteria present.
What is period underwear?
Period underwear is a relatively new invention. It’s like regular underwear, except it’s created with a special fabric that absorbs menstrual tissue and traps it within the fabric.
Why does my period start bleeding?
The uterine lining thickens so it can support a fertilized egg and develop into a pregnancy. If there isn’t a fertilized egg, your body will break the lining down and push it out of your uterus. This results in bleeding — your menstrual period.
Is your period a part of your period?
Your period is a part of your menstrual cycle. This means that, with time, your period will usually be on a predictable pattern.
Can you use period underwear on a lighter period?
Different types have different levels of absorbency. If you have a lighter period, you may be able to rely on only these. If you have a heavier period, you may enjoy using period underwear as a backup to prevent accidental leakage. There are a ton of different brands out there, but they all work in a similar way.
When does a girl usually get her first period?
The average age for a girl in the United States to get her first period is 12. 6 This does not mean that all girls start at the same age.
How long does a woman usually have periods?
On average, women get a period for about 40 years of their life. 6, 7 Most women have regular periods until perimenopause, the time when your body begins the change to menopause. Perimenopause, or transition to menopause, may take a few years. During this time, your period may not come regularly. Menopause happens when you have not had a period for 12 months in a row. For most women, this happens between the ages of 45 and 55. The average age of menopause in the United States is 52.
What is the menstrual cycle?
The menstrual cycle is the monthly hormonal cycle a female’s 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 (estrogen and progesterone) usually change throughout the menstrual cycle and can cause menstrual symptoms.
How long is a typical menstrual cycle?
The typical menstrual cycle is 28 days long, but each woman is different. 2 Also, a woman’s menstrual cycle length might be different from month-to-month. Your periods are still “regular” if they usually come every 24 to 38 days. 3 This means that the time from the first day of your last period up to the start of your next period is at least 24 days but not more than 38 days.
How does my menstrual cycle change as I get older?
Often, periods are heavier when you are younger (in your teens) and usually get lighter in your 20s and 30s. This is normal.
How often should I change my pad, tampon, menstrual cup, sponge, or period panties?
Follow the instructions that came with your period product. Try to change or rinse your feminine hygiene product before it becomes soaked through or full.
What is ovulation?
Ovulation is when the ovary releases an egg so it can be fertilized by a sperm in order to make a baby. A woman is most likely to get pregnant if she has sex without birth control in the three days before and up to the day of ovulation (since the sperm are already in place and ready to fertilize the egg as soon as it is released). A man’s sperm can live for 3 to 5 days in a woman’s reproductive organs, but a woman’s egg lives for just 12 to 24 hours after ovulation.
When do girls start their periods?
Any amount will do. At this point, a girl will probably start her periods within 3-6 months, if she hasn't already. It also occurs right after the growth spurt of adolescence. So, if a girl grew, grew, grew, last year and has slowed down (no more than 2.5 inches a year) then periods are right around the corner.
What is the average age for a black woman to have her period?
The average age for periods in the U.S. is 12.16 for black girls and 12.88 for whites. By age 11, 28% of black girls and 13.5% of whites menstruate. By age 12, 62% of blacks, and 35% of whites.
What are the two things that are most closely tied to the age when a girl starts her period?
The two things that are most closely tied to the age when a girl starts her periods, that she can readily assess herself are: first real bra and armpit hair . A "real" bra means one with a cup size attached to it, as opposed to small, medium, large distinctions. Armpit hair is self-explanatory. Any amount will do.
How long does it take to grow pubic hair?
Here is the sequence and time frame of events for an average girl. The girl will also begin her growth spurt about this time. She will notice pubic hair about 6 months later.
What is the first period of a girl called?
A girl's first menstruation is called menarche. This is pronounced MEN-arc or MEN-arc-y. When a girl passes certain milestones in her development, but does not start having periods, this is called Primary Amenorrhea. This is pronounced A-men-or-rea or Ah-men-or-rea. The word primary is the part that means the girl has never had a period. The amenorrhea part means lack (a is Latin for none) of periods (menorrhea is Latin for "monthly flow"). This is to distinguish it from Secondary Amenorrhea, which is when a woman has had periods and then stops.
How old do you have to be to be a black?
On age alone: Age 15 1/2 to 16 1/2 for whites, age 14 1/2 to 15 1/2 for blacks.
Is it a bad idea to check with a doctor a year earlier?
Meanwhile the average age of puberty and menarche has dropped. So, Estronaut's opinion is that checking with a doctor a year or so earlier is not a bad idea. Also, girls of African descent mature sooner than Europeans, by about a year. So, these girls should substract another year. (We have not been able to find averages for other races.)
How long does a woman's period last?
Menstrual flow might occur every 21 to 35 days and last two to seven days. For the first few years after menstruation begins, long cycles are common.
How long does it take for your period to stop?
In addition, consult your health care provider if: Your periods suddenly stop for more than 90 days — and you're not pregnant. Your periods become erratic after having been regular. You bleed for more than seven days. You bleed more heavily than usual or soak through more than one pad or tampon every hour or two.
What causes menstrual cycle irregularities?
Menstrual cycle irregularities can have many different causes, including:
What is the process of ovulation?
The menstrual cycle is the monthly series of changes a woman's body goes through in preparation for the possibility of pregnancy. Each month, one of the ovaries releases an egg — a process called ovulation. At the same time, hormonal changes prepare the uterus for pregnancy. If ovulation takes place and the egg isn't fertilized, ...
Why is it important to track your period?
Tracking your menstrual cycles can help you understand what's normal for you, time ovulation and identify important changes — such as a missed period or unpredictable menstrual bleeding. While menstrual cycle irregularities usually aren't serious, sometimes they can signal health problems.
What to do if you have questions about your menstrual cycle?
If you have questions or concerns about your menstrual cycle, talk to your health care provider.
How to find out what's normal for you?
To find out what's normal for you, start keeping a record of your menstrual cycle on a calendar. Begin by tracking your start date every month for several months in a row to identify the regularity of your periods. If you're concerned about your periods, then also make note of the following every month: End date.
When do you start your period?
Menstruation (also known as having your period) 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 you’re around 12-15 years old. Your menstrual cycle is what makes your period come every month. It’s controlled by hormones in your body.
How often do you get your period?
Most people get their period every 21-35 days — around once a month (that’s why periods are sometimes called “that time of the month”). The bleeding lasts for 2-7 days — it’s different for everyone. Your period might not always come at the same time each month, especially when you first start getting it.
How to calm cramps before period?
You can calm cramps by taking pain medicine (like ibuprofen ). Putting a heating pad where it hurts, taking a hot bath, exercising, or stretching your body can also help.
What is the purpose of the menstrual cycle?
It’s 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.
Can you use a tampon on your period?
You can use pads, tampons, period underwear, or a menstrual cup to collect the blood, so it doesn’t get on your clothes. Learn more about using tampons, period underwear, pads, and cups. Some people get cramps or other symptoms before and/or during their period — this is called PMS.
Can you track your period?
You can also track your period using our app, to help get a better idea of when your period is coming and what side effects to expect. Getting your period is a healthy part of growing up. Periods don’t have to stop you from going to school, doing sports, swimming, or hanging out with your friends — you can do all your normal activities ...
Is it normal to have a period?
Getting your period is a normal part of growing up. During your period, a little bit of blood comes out of your vagina for a few days. Here’s the deal on periods, cramps, and PMS.
Why does my period keep changing?
Because as you get older, your period will keep adjusting and evolving, thanks in part to normal age-related hormonal changes as well as experiences such as pregnancy and perimenopause. Here, a better idea of what to expect in the years to come (as well as what might be a sign that something isn't right).
When does your period come back after delivery?
You know that getting pregnant means your flow goes MIA. But you may not have realized that your period doesn’t usually come back until six weeks after delivery if you’re not breastfeeding, says Sheryl Ross, MD, an ob-gyn in Santa Monica, California and author of She-ology: The Definitive Guide to Women’s Intimate Health. Period. "And if you decide to breastfeed, your period will not return until you stop or reduce the amount of times you're nursing.”
What happens to women in their 20s?
Another major menstruation change that tends to happen in your 20s has to do with going on birth control. This is the decade many women decide to start taking hormonal contraception—they have a steady partner now, for example, and they're too busy navigating their careers to think about kids.
When does the body prepare for menopause?
Here’s where the real fun starts. Your 40s mark the beginning of perimenopausal hormonal fluctuations, which are precursors to menopause. During this time, generally the eight to 10 years before menopause (which typically happens in your early 50s), your body preps for the the menstruation finish line.
What happens when your cycle evens out?
On the other hand, when your cycle evens out and comes more or less monthly, you'll also start experiencing PMS, cramps, and breast tenderness. If you weren't used to dealing with these side effects every month, it can be something of an unpleasant surprise.
Can birth control pills cause periods to disappear?
In fact, the pill (or another form of hormonal contraception, like the hormonal IUD or Depo-Provera, the birth control shot) can even cause your periods to disappear. Birth control pills prevent ovulation, and without ovulation, there's no uterine lining buildup that has to be shed. Voila!
When do girls get their period?
Most girls will get their first period sometime between the ages of 10 and 15. However, a first period can occur as young as 8, so it’s a good idea to be prepared. The age of a first period can be impacted by genetics, diet, environment, weight, and other factors.
What factors determine the time of a period?
Factors such as family history, race, diet, environment, and weight can all determine the time a first period occurs. Children who participate in intense athletics or are underweight might get their periods later.
What is it called when you have a period without an egg?
This blood is what is seen during a period. This cycle repeats every month and is called a menstrual cycle .
How to prepare for a first period?
You can help your child prepare for a first period by having an open and direct conversation about periods and what to expect. It’s also a good idea for your child to begin keeping menstrual supplies and an extra pair of pants in their bag or at school.
Why is it important to talk about your first period?
However, a first period is part of overall health and development, and having an honest conversation about it is an important way to help your child as they grow up.
What hormones do you release during your period?
A period happens when your brain sends a signal to your ovaries to release hormones called estrogen and progesterone.
