Period FAQs

what does a first period look like

by Ralph Heathcote Published 1 year ago Updated 1 year ago
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Your first period should last anywhere from 2 to 7 days. It may be very light, with just a few spots of brownish blood. Or it may start and end more brownish, but be brighter red on heavier flow days.

Full Answer

What are the signs of getting your first period?

#1: Look for puberty signs and symptoms.

  • Height growth. If you experience faster bone growth, you might be closer to your initial bleeding.
  • Pubic hair. Thicker hair around your genitals and armpits is another symptom of a reaching period age. ...
  • Boddy odor. Puberty causes your sweat and body scent to be more pungent. ...
  • Breast growth. This one is usually a women-specific symptom. ...

What are the symptoms of starting your first period?

What are some of the signs and symptoms of a normal menstrual cycle?

  1. Abdominal cramps. Abdominal, or menstrual, cramps are also called primary dysmenorrhea. ...
  2. Breakouts. Menstruation-related breakouts are fairly common. ...
  3. Tender breasts. Progesterone levels start to rise in the middle of your cycle, around ovulation. ...
  4. Fatigue. ...
  5. Bloating. ...
  6. Bowel issues. ...
  7. Headache. ...
  8. Mood swings. ...
  9. Lower back pain. ...
  10. Trouble sleeping. ...

What to expect from your first period?

  • Hair growth under your arms and around your pubic area
  • White vaginal discharge (it's like white milky water coming out of your vagina). ...
  • You might feel bloated and get some cramps in your tummy area or lower back
  • Your mood may change without reason, so like being soooo happy the one minute and then very sad the next

More items...

What will my first period feel like?

What Does A Girl’S First Period Feel Like? During your first menstrual period, there may be very little to your symptoms, though some of them may be quite severe and discomfort may persist. Common symptoms are: a burning sensation of fluids in the lower abdomen. The breast feels tender at times.

What does it mean when you have your first period?

When does a period start?

What is period pad?

How long does a period last?

What to do if you don't have a pad for your period?

How old do you have to be to get your period?

What happens when the ovaries release an egg into the fallopian tube?

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What a girl's first period looks like?

A girl's first period is usually very light, with sometimes only spotting or very little blood. The typical menstrual cycle is 28 days long, but periods are often irregular during the first few years of menstruation.

How do I know if I just got my first period?

There's no way to know exactly when you'll get your first period. One day, you'll see blood in your underwear or on your sheets, and boom — there it is! There may be signs of your first period (like cramps, bloating, or pimples), but this doesn't happen for everyone.

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.

How long after pubic hair is period?

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.

Is a girls first period heavy?

The first period often is very heavy and painful. Ovulation, or the process of making an egg, helps make a “normal” period. Unfortunately, many girls do not ovulate in the beginning, resulting in heavy bleeding. Some girls also may have a bleeding problem that shows up when they start having periods.

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.

How heavy is a first period?

Every woman is different. Some women's first periods are extremely light and only last for two or three days. Other women can experience a long or heavy first period. If your first period lasts longer than seven days, call your doctor.

How long after armpit hair does period start?

Armpit hair is self-explanatory. Any amount will do. At this point, a girl will probably start her periods within 3-6 months, if she hasn't already.

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.

How do I know if my 11 year old is starting her period?

Although there's no one right age for a girl to get her period, there are some clues that it will start soon. Typically, a girl gets her period about 2 years after her breasts start to develop. Another sign is vaginal discharge fluid (sort of like mucus) that a girl might see or feel on her underwear.

Do you spot before your first period?

Several days before the first period, some females may notice spotting in their underwear or abdominal cramps. Some may also notice more acne appearing. Not everyone will experience this, however.

Do you get discharge before your first period?

About 6 months to 1 year before a girl gets her first period, her body may start to make vaginal discharge. This is normal and due to changing hormone levels. The discharge helps keep the vagina healthy. Normal vaginal discharge can have a texture that's anywhere from thin and slightly sticky to thick and gooey.

How to Know When Your First Period Is Coming: 11 Signs

Your first period usually comes about 6 months after a big growth spurt. If you're keeping track of your height on a growth chart, you'll notice that changes come really rapidly and then start to slow down.

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.

When does your period follow a pattern?

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

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.

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 to expect your first period?

Most girls get first period by the age of around 12 years. But getting it any time between age 10 to 15 is also fine as every girl’s body is scheduled differently. There isn’t one right age for a girl to get period but there are some clues that it will start soon like –

How long does a first period last?

For the first few years after girl starts period, it may not come regularly. This is normal at first and by about 2-3 years after first period, a girl’s periods should be coming around once every 4-5 weeks. Periods usually last about 5-7 days but it can be shorter or last longer. It may be very light with just a few spots of brownish blood or it may start and end more brownish but be brighter red on heavier flow days.

What is period/menstruation?

Every month the body prepares the uterus for pregnancy. This process involves lining the uterus with tissue and blood in preparation for implantation of the egg. Menstruation takes place when the lining sheds and exists the body through the cervix and vagina. Bleeding of blood and tissue out during this time and it will last for an average of 3 to 5 days. The menstrual cycle has four phases that take place over the course of the month are menstrual phase, follicular phase, ovulation and luteal phase.

What will my first period feel like?

You may find your first period comes and goes with very little in the way of symptoms, or you may find you experience quite a bit of discomfort. Common symptoms include:

When should I expect my first period?

Most girls get their first period somewhere between the ages of 10 and 14, with an average of just over 12 years old. It’s hard to tell when your first period will arrive. It usually happens about two years after the first signs of puberty (usually breast development), and about a year after you begin growing pubic hair. You will also notice white or yellowish vaginal discharge in the few months leading up to your period.

How do I know when I will get my next period?

It’s impossible to predict when your next period will start. Most girls and women go about 28 days from the first day of one period to the first day of the next, but anywhere from 21-35 days is normal. Especially in the first few years of menstruating, your period may be very irregular. If you track your period on a calendar (start day, number of days of bleeding, any symptoms), you will begin to notice a pattern over time. You can use this ‘ menstrual diary ‘ to keep track of your periods.

What if my period doesn’t come – or if it starts when I am very young?

If you have not had a first period by the age of 15, or it’s been more than two to three years since your breasts started developing and you have not had a period, it’s best to talk to your doctor. If you get your period very young, at nine or ten it is usually just simply that you developed early. However, it’s a good idea to see your doctor to rule out other underlying medical conditions.

How long does it take for a woman to get a period?

It usually happens about two years after the first signs of puberty (usually breast development), and about a year after you begin growing pubic hair. You will also notice white or yellowish vaginal discharge in the few months leading up to your period.

How long does a period last?

Your first period should last anywhere from 2 to 7 days. It may be very light, with just a few spots of brownish blood. Or it may start and end more brownish, but be brighter red on heavier flow days.

What was the average age of the first period in 1900?

In 1900 in the United States, the average age of the first period was between 14 and 15 years of age . The decreasing age of the onset of menstruation seems to have levelled off now at 12.

How old do you have to be to get your period?

Although a lot of girls get their first period between 11 and 13 years old, you could get yours anywhere between 9 and 16. Everyone has her own “biological clock,” and yours is different from anyone else's. So even if you feel like you'll never get your period, don't worry, you will! How do you know it’s on its way? Watch for these signs.

When do you start growing pubic hair?

Growing pubic hair: Just after your breasts start to form, you'll probably start growing pubic hair. It will be soft and thin at first, but it’ll get coarser over time. Your period usually arrives around one to two years after.

What to put in a period emergency kit?

Here are some ideas: Prepare an emergency kit containing a pantiliner, pad and clean underwear in a discreet bag. Keep a pantiliner or pad in your book bag or purse.

How long does a period last?

How long a girl's period lasts varies. It's perfectly normal for some girls to have their first period for just 2 or 3 days. Many girls will have a very light flow of blood the first couple of times they get their period, others have more. Lots of girls expect their blood to be bright red during their periods, but it's completely normal ...

Is it normal for menstrual blood to be brownish?

Lots of girls expect their blood to be bright red during their periods, but it's completely normal for menstrual blood to be brownish. Changes in how much (or how long) you bleed can happen because your body might make different amounts of hormones from one menstrual cycle to the next.

What does it mean when you have your first period?

The first period usually means that ovulation has occurred. Ovulation means that pregnancy is possible. However, both periods and ovulation can be irregular during the first few years after the first period, making it difficult to predict fertility.

When does a period start?

changes in body shape, such as the hips and thighs thickening. The first period will typically begin a couple of years after the first signs of puberty appear. However, there is no precise way of knowing when it will begin.

What is period pad?

Sanitary pads are a popular form of period protection. They line the underwear with absorbent material, which soaks up the blood.

How long does a period last?

Most periods last for 3–7 days. However, first periods can be less predictable, so they may be slightly shorter or longer.

What to do if you don't have a pad for your period?

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.

How old do you have to be to get your period?

Around 98% of females begin their first period by the time they are 15 years of age, but the average age has decreased over time.

What happens when the ovaries release an egg into the fallopian tube?

This happens when the ovaries release an egg into the fallopian tube. When this happens, the womb lining thickens in preparation for the egg to be fertilized. If fertilization does not occur, the lining sheds, as the body no longer needs it. This is where period blood comes from.

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