Period FAQs

what is the average age a girl starts her period

by Elvera Macejkovic Published 1 year ago Updated 1 year ago
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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. Respond to questions or opportunities as they arise and do not be embarrassed.

When is the latest a girl should get her period?

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.

What age do women usually experince their first period?

The age at which young girls start menstruating can vary widely, with some girls getting their first period as early as 8 years old and others not until they are 15. There are often signs that girls are nearing their first period. Breast development and pubic hair growth often begin a couple of years before menstruation.

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 usually get their first 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.

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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. Periods are likely to start soon if your child has: had a major growth spurt. grown some underarm and pubic hair.

What are the signs of a girl starting her period?

Early signs of a first periodthe development of pubic hair, such as thicker hair on the legs and visible hair under the arms.the development of acne on the face or body.the development of breasts.changes in body shape, such as the hips and thighs thickening.growing more rapidly.

What is the most popular age to get your 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.

How soon after pubic hair does period start?

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.

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. This cycle is a series of changes your body goes through to prepare for a possible pregnancy.

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.

What makes a period come early?

Early periods often result from hormonal changes, especially during puberty and perimenopause. Many underlying medical conditions, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis, can also cause menstrual irregularities.

Is it normal to have a period at age 10?

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.

What helps a girl on her period?

Fill the goody bag with the following;Dark chocolate. Dark chocolate reduces cramps. ... Sanitary Pads. Plenty of them. ... Pantyliners. Panty-liners are for last day drips. ... Pain relievers. ... Period panties. ... Facial scrub. ... Hot water bottle for pressing her stomach. ... Her favourite snacks.More items...•

What are the 5 stages of puberty?

Tanner stages summaryTanner stages in malesAge at the startNoticeable changesStage 2Around age 11Pubic hair starts to formStage 3Around age 13Voice begins to change or “crack”; muscles get largerStage 4Around age 14Acne may appear; armpit hair formsStage 5Around age 15Facial hair comes in1 more row

Why is my daughter developing so early?

For most children, early puberty starts for no known reason. It can run in families. Sometimes there is a problem in the brain, such as an injury, a tumor or an infection. Early puberty can also be caused by a problem in the sex glands (testes or ovaries), the thyroid gland or the adrenal glands.

Do your breasts grow after your first period?

Girls' breasts usually bud before their first period, but full development of the breast goes on for some time after. Breasts continue to change somewhat throughout a woman's life. Weight gain and loss, pregnancy, and menopause all affect the size and shape of the breast.

What happens before you start your 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.

What does your first period feel like?

0:472:14What does the first period feel like? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFor five to seven days the flow of blood is the heaviest on the first three days of the period. AndMoreFor five to seven days the flow of blood is the heaviest on the first three days of the period. And then it gradually lessens at the start of your period the blood would be bright red in color but

How do you know when your period is coming tomorrow?

Common signs that your period is approaching are:You're breaking out. Acne is a common problem at this time of the month. ... Your breasts are sore or heavy. ... You're tired but you can't sleep. ... You have cramps. ... You're constipated or have diarrhea. ... You're bloated and gassy. ... You have a headache. ... You're having mood swings.More items...•

What does discharge look like before period?

Discharge before a period tends to be cloudy or white, due to the increased presence of progesterone, a hormone involved in both the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. In other phases of the cycle, when the body has higher levels of estrogen, vaginal discharge tends to be clear and watery.

Whats The Connection Between Puberty And Breast Development

Breast development is often the first sign of puberty. Breasts may start developing 2 to 2 1/2 years before a girl gets her period.

Periods And Additional Needs

Periods can be especially challenging for young people with additional needs and their parents. If your child has moderate to severe intellectual disability, they might not understand why theyre experiencing changes to their body and mood.

Research Suggests Certain Parenting Styles May Trigger Early Menstruation

The following is a guest post by my good friend, fellow Tar Heel and researcher Patty Kuo. She is currently a developmental psychology Ph.D. student at the University of Michigan, where her research interests include hormonal and neural correlates of parental care, and how the interrelationships in families affect parent-child relationships.

What Age Do Girls Start Their Period And Why Is It Getting Earlier

When do most girls get their period? The average age for girls to get their first menstrual cycle has been steadily dropping over the years. In 1928, the average age for American girls to get their period was 13.9. In the 1950s and 60s, this number dropped to 13.5, then to 12.8 in the 1970s.

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.

Signs Your Daughter Is About To Start Her Period

When a young girl hits puberty, some of the classic signs include body hair, a bigger/fuller chest and an increase in sweat. For signs your daughters period may be starting, read the last bit of our most recent blog post, here.

What Age Is Considered Early For Menopause

If you reach menopause before age 40, that is considered premature menopause, says Faubion. This occurs in about 1 to 2 percent of women, she says.

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.

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.

How old are girls when they get their period?

Girls are 12-13 years old, on average, when they get their first menstrual period (menarche), the committees note. That average age hasn't changed much in 30 years, though black girls go through menarche five months earlier than they did 30 years ago, according to the committees.

How long does it take for a woman to have her first period?

Here are some facts cited in the report about girls' first periods: Typically start two to two-and-a-half years after breast development begins. Generally last two to seven days. Menstrual cycles range from 21 to 45 days.

How often do menstrual cycles last?

Menstrual periods occurring less than every 45 days. Menstrual periods occurring 90 days apart, even for one cycle. Menstrual periods that last more than seven days. Menstrual periods requiring frequent pad/tampon changes (more than once every one or two hours).

What does it mean when you have a period of 14?

No menstrual period by 14, with signs of excess facial or body hair ( hirsutism ). No menstrual period by 14, with a history or examination suggestive of excessive exercise or an eating disorder. No menstrual period by 14, with concerns about genital tract problems. No menstrual flow by 15.

Is menstruation considered a vital sign?

The committees recommend that doctors view girls' menstruation as a "vital sign" at medical checkups, just like temperature and heart rate.

How old is the average woman when she has her first period?

The average American girl will experience her first menstrual period, known as menarche, between the ages of 12 and 13 years old according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. However, some girls can experience this life event much sooner.

Why do girls have periods at a young age?

If a girl starts menstruation at a young age, it’s usually because the hormones in her body responsible for puberty are being produced earlier. In most cases, there is no obvious or abnormal reason for why the body has started producing these hormones early, although body weight, heredity, ethnicity and activity can be important factors, according to Dr. Kreckman. However, if a child develops breast buds before age 8 or periods before age 9, Dr. Kreckman advises a visit to your provider.

What age do you start your period?

When you also consider that the normal age range for puberty occurring in girls lies between the ages of 10 and 14 years old, a menstrual cycle beginning at age 10 would mean that a girl’s period has simply happened at the earliest end of the spectrum. Getting your period this young may not be abnormal, but girls getting their period at this age may not appreciate the early start! Read on to find out why some periods come early and how 10 year old girls can cope with early menstruation.

How long does it take for a girl to get her period?

Puberty consists of three key stages for girls – breast budding, the growth of pubic hair and finally, the beginning of her period and this process normally takes 2 years in total. Experts in the field agree that as long as breast growth is happening at an earlier age, the event of a girl’s first period will start occurring earlier as well. ...

Why Do Some Periods Start So Early?

Doctors still can’t pin down the precise causes of early menstruation, but they have identified weigh t as a common factor for early puberty, as it’s thought that girls who are overweight are more likely to begin their menstrual cycle earlier than thinner girls. Researchers believe that this is due to fat tissue setting off a ‘feedback loop’ that causes a girl’s body to mature.

What is the line between precocious puberty and normal puberty?

Pediatric endocrinologist Louise Greenspan reveals that the line between girls with disorders such as precocious puberty and girls developing on the early side of the ‘normal’ curve is beginning to blur “There used to be a discrete gap between normal and abnormal, and there isn’t anymore.”.

Why is 10 years old not considered abnormal?

Although this may be considered an early age for most girls to start, 10 years old could not be classed as ‘abnormal’ because it does not fall into the age bracket associated with ‘ precocious puberty ’. Precocious puberty is the condition in which unusually rapid growth leads to girls as young as 7 and 8 years old getting their first period.

How old is too old to start menstruating?

According to U.S. News & World Report, the current average age of girls beginning their menstrual cycle is around 12.5 years old, but this does not point to 10 years old being an abnormal age to start menstruating. In fact, the average age of girls getting their first period is declining ...

How to determine where your daughter lies on the normal scale?

Your pediatrician will be able to calculate where your daughter lies on the ‘normal’ scale by looking at her family’s history of health patterns and determine from her growth whether endocrine testing may be necessary.

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