Period FAQs

when does a girl get her period

by Percy Schowalter Jr. Published 1 year ago Updated 1 year ago
image

Most of the time, 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. This discharge usually begins about 6 months to a year before a girl gets her first 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. Respond to questions or opportunities as they arise and do not be embarrassed. Periods are natural.

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.

What are the signs before your first period?

What are the symptoms and signs of period coming soon?

  1. Abdominal cramps. Abdomen cramps, which is experienced by a lot of women before their period starts, is a sign your period is coming soon.
  2. Change of mood. Are you experiencing a change in your behavior before your period? ...
  3. Acne on face. ...
  4. Breast pain and swelling. ...
  5. Abdominal bloating, gas and pain. ...
  6. Headache. ...
  7. Sleepless nights before period. ...
  8. Fatigue
  9. Food cravings

More items...

When should young girl's period start?

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% of teens have started their periods.

What is the normal age for a first period?

It’s normal to get your first period as young as age 9 or as old as age 16, but the average age that most people start their periods is around age 12. Your age has a lot less to do with your first period than the way your body is changing during puberty. What are the Signs My First Period is Coming Soon?

When do girls get their period?

How to prepare for a first period?

What hormones do you release during your period?

Why is it important to talk about your first period?

What factors determine the time of a period?

What is it called when you have a period without an egg?

See 3 more

About this website

image

What are signs of a girl getting 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.

What makes a girl get her period?

A period happens because of changes in hormones in the body. Hormones give messages to the body. These hormones cause the lining of the uterus (or womb) to build up. This gets the uterus ready for an egg (from the mom) and sperm (from the dad) to attach and grow into a baby.

What age do girls start periods?

Periods usually begin at around the age of 12. Some girls will start them later, and some earlier – everyone is different. To start with, periods might not happen every month but from the ages of around 16 to 18 most people who menstruate will find their periods are regular.

Do boys get 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 does a 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.

At what age period stops?

Naturally declining reproductive hormones. In your 40s, your menstrual periods may become longer or shorter, heavier or lighter, and more or less frequent, until eventually — on average, by age 51 — your ovaries stop releasing eggs, and you have no more periods.

What age girls get pubic hair?

Between the ages of 8 and 13, girls typically experience: Their breasts begin to bud, and their areolas (pigmented area around the nipple) enlarge. Scant pubic hair appears. Height increases by about 2¾ inches per year.

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...•

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.

Can you stop your period?

Takeaway. Once a period has started, it is not possible to stop it. Some home methods may help reduce the amount of bleeding that occurs for a short time, but they will not stop the period altogether. People who are interested in preventing their period for medical or personal reasons should talk with their doctor.

How long is a period?

A period is made up of blood and the womb lining. The first day of a woman's period is day 1 of the menstrual cycle. "Periods last around 2 to 7 days, and women lose about 3 to 5 tablespoons of blood in a period," says Belfield.

What is the male period called?

Although men will not bleed, nor will they experience all of the same symptoms as women, these hormonal shifts can have some pretty notable side effects, especially with mood and irritability. Some call it the “man period” others call it Irritable Male Syndrome, either way, it can be quite similar to a woman's PMS.

What would cause a girl to start her period at eight years old?

Most commonly, especially in girls, precocious puberty is due to the brain sending signals earlier than it should. There is no other underlying medical problem or trigger. This also can often run in families. Less often, precocious puberty stems from a more serious problem, such as a tumor or trauma.

What helps a girl on her period?

Ask Her What She NeedsBe patient! Don't blame her irritability on her period, but try to understand where she's coming from.Bring her the food she craves. Whether it's ice cream she's after or she's one of the rare women who crave a green juice, just go and get it. ... Be attentive. ... Give her a massage. ... Give her space.

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.

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 Role Do Genetics Play In Height

Your height has a lot to do with how tall or short your parents are. Growth patterns tend to run in families.

Can A Girl Get Pregnant As Soon As Her Period Starts

Yes, a girl can get pregnant as soon as her period starts. A girl can even get pregnant right before her very first period. This is because a girl’s hormones might already be active. The hormones may have led to and the building of the uterine wall. If a girl has sex, she can get pregnant, even though she has never had a period.

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.

What Causes Growth Delays

There are many factors that affect growth, ranging from malnutrition to medications.

What Controls The Menstrual Cycle

Your hormones control your menstrual cycle. During each cycle, your brain’s hypothalamus and pituitary gland send hormone signals back and forth with your ovaries. These signals get the ovaries and uterus ready for a pregnancy.

We Inspire And Help Young Women In Africa

GirlStuff.Period provides 2,500 girls, every semester, with underwear and re-usable menstrual pads, so they can stay in school, be present when opportunities are presented and become employed after completing school.

How Long And How Much

The amount of time that a girl has her period also can vary. Some girls have periods that last just 2 or 3 days. Other girls may have periods that last 7 days. The menstrual flow meaning how much blood comes out of the vagina can vary from girl to girl, too.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.)

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.

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 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.

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

Most of the time, 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. This discharge usually begins about 6 months to a year before a girl gets her first period.

What Causes a Period?

A period happens because of changes in hormones in the body. Hormones are chemical messengers. The ovaries release the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. These hormones cause the lining of the uterus (or womb) to build up. The built-up lining is ready for a fertilized egg to attach to and start developing. If there is no fertilized egg, the lining breaks down and bleeds. Then the same process happens all over again.

How Does Ovulation Relate to Periods?

Ovulation (pronounced: ov-yoo-LAY-shun) is the release of an egg from the ovaries. The same hormones that cause the uterus lining to build up also cause an egg to leave one of the ovaries. The egg travels through a thin tube called a fallopian tube to the uterus.

Can a Girl Get Pregnant as Soon as Her Period Starts?

Yes, a girl can get pregnant as soon as her period starts. A girl can even get pregnant right before her very first period. This is because a girl's hormones might already be active. The hormones may have led to ovulation and the building of the uterine wall. If a girl has sex, she can get pregnant, even though she has never had a period.

How Long Do Periods Last?

Periods usually last about 5 days. But a period can be shorter or last longer.

Should I Use a Pad, Tampon, or Menstrual Cup?

You have many choices about how to deal with period blood. You may need to experiment a bit to find which works best for you. Some girls use only one method and others switch between different methods.

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 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. ...

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.

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.”.

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 ...

What happens if my daughter has her first period?

Your daughter will eventually get the hang of managing her symptoms and unique bleeding patterns as she gets older, but she should see a doctor immediately if she experiences any of the following during her first period: Suffers severe PMS (Premenstrual syndrome) that affects her daily life and activities.

How to talk to a 10 year old sister?

Using your own experience as the mom or older sister of a 10 year old can be a great ice breaker into the conversation and give you a chance to correct any misinformation she may have heard about periods from. This may open her up to ask things like “Did it hurt?” and “What if it happens at school?” – let her know that she can always come to you for answers and give her the tools she needs to always feel confident and prepared.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 .

image
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9