Period FAQs

what is the average age to get your period

by Jovany Hegmann Published 2 years 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.

Full Answer

What is the average age for a girl to start her period?

The national average age for a girl to get her first period is 12, and girls can start as early as age 8. Why so young? No one would argue that an 11-year-old is emotionally capable of raising a child.

When do average youngsters get their first periods?

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.

How old are most girls when they 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.

How old are you when you usually get your period?

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. 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.

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

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What age is it rare to get your period?

In the United States, a child may get their first period when they're about 12. However, anytime between 10 and 15 is within the average range. It's not entirely unusual for a first period to happen as young as 8 or as old as 16.

Is it normal for my 10 year old to start her 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 does a girl's first period look like?

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.

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.

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.

Is your first period painful?

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.

Do boys have cramps?

Men experience similar symptoms to women when they go through hormonal imbalances. Many of them are similar to the female menstrual cycle including tiredness, cramps, increase sensitivity and cravings. According to one study, around 26 % of men experience these regular “man periods.”

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.

What are the main signs of your first period?

What are period symptoms and how do I deal with them?Cramps (pain in your lower belly or lower back)Bloating (when your belly feels puffy)Breakouts (getting pimples)Sore breasts.Feeling tired.Mood swings (when your emotions change quickly or you feel sad, angry, or anxious)

How can you tell your first period is coming?

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.

How do I know if I got my very 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.

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 ...

What Does It Mean To Get Your First Period

Your body begins to produce adult levels of hormones during puberty. A period happens when your brain sends a signal to your ovaries to release hormones called estrogen and progesterone.

Whats A Normal Period

Normal periods are different from person to person. They can also change over your lifetime. Periods usually come about once a month. When you first start having your period, the bleeding may last only a few days or be really light .

What Should I Talk About

What you talk about depends on your child’s age and level of development. Here are some questions that most kids have:

How Much Period Blood Is Normal

It might seem like theres a lot of blood, but its probably no more than two to three tablespoons. Its normal to bleed more heavily in the first few days of your period.

An Early Period May Indicate An Unsettled Childhood

It’s true that our age of puberty is heavily linked to that of our female relatives. Chances are very high that you’ll get your menarche at the same time that our mom, grandmother, aunts, and sisters did. But there are other factors that might be at play.

How Do I Use A Tampon

Inserting a tampon for the first time can be a bit of a challenge. Its hard to know exactly how to position your body and at what angle to put the tampon in. After a few tries, you will figure out what works best for you. Its best to use slender size tampons when you are learning.

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 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.)

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.

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 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 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.

How old is the average woman at the start of her period?

women, there hasn’t been a corresponding shift in the average age at menopause. The average age at menarche is now about 12.4 years old, down from 13.3 in women born prior to the 1920s, but the average age at menopause has been around 51.5 for decades. “You would assume that a woman only has so many cycles in her life and if she menstruates later, she’ll reach menopause later, but that doesn’t seem to be true,” Cedars says.

What age do women go through menopause?

The Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN) looked at cross section of women from different races from 7 different states and found that most of the women experienced menopause between the ages of 52 and 54.

Is your mother's age a factor in menopause?

Your mother's age at menopause is a key factor, but not the only one. Here are four others to consider:

Can menopause be passed on?

This isn’ t always true, of course. Some women reach menopause at an unusually early age -- before 45 or so -- with no known cause, which could be the result of an inherited issue or a one-time genetic mutation. “These can be random events, but can also be passed on," says Howard Zacur, MD, PhD, who directs the reproductive endocrinology and infertility division at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

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.

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