Periods - Menstruation

The questions girls ask about periods

How will I know when my periods are soon going to start?

Signs that your period is on its way are growing underarm and pubic hair. Typically, you’ll start your periods about two years after your breasts start growing. The average girl will get her first period around 12 years old, but it varies from person to person.

How do I get ready for my first period?

Talk to an adult you trust about what you can expect before it actually happens. It’s a good idea to start carrying sanitary pads or tampons around with you in advance so that when your period finally arrives you aren’t scrambling to find some. If you find yourself at school without a pad or tampon, talk to a female teacher.

How long will my first period last?

When your first period arrives it might not last very long as it can take your body some months to get into a regular pattern. As a general rule, once they’re settled, you’ll have a period every 28 to 30 days and it will last between three and seven days.

How much blood will I lose?

It might seem a lot, but it’s only about 3-5 tablespoons. It’s not a sudden gush; you’ll just see a reddish-brown stain on your pants or on your sheets when you wake up in the morning.

What if period blood leaks through my clothes?

Part of becoming a woman is dealing with embarrassing mishaps. There are ways of covering up stains until you’re able to change your clothes, such as tying a sweatshirt around your waist. Keep a spare pair of pants and tights in your bag.

Should I use pads or tampons?

This is really up to you. Both tampons and towels/pads are safe and suitable for girls who have just started their periods. You’ll probably want to use pads for your very first period, though, as tampons can take a bit more getting used to. It might be worth experimenting until you find the product that suits you best.

Can a tampon get lost inside me?

No, it can’t. When you insert a tampon, it stays in your vagina. All tampons come with a string at one end that stays outside your body. You can remove the tampon at any time using this string.

Read the full answer to: 'Can a tamponget lost inside me?'

TIPS TO BE READY FOR YOUR PERIOD

Sometimes you can start your period when you're not expecting to, so it's always a good idea to plan ahead. You could try to:

• keep sanitary products in a bag, drawer or locker

• have a plan in case you do start your period - like a change of underwear and sanitary pads or tampons

• if you're at school or on a trip tell the teachers so they know you might need to go to the toilet to change

• ask an adult like your parent, carer or school nurse about things to help with any pain or discomfort, like a hot water bottles, microwave wheat bag or pain relief tablets

• gentle exercise can help relieve pain and bloating - try yoga, stretching or walking

• keep a diary, calendar or notes to keep track of what’s normal for you so you can notice any changes as periods can be irregular when they first start.

Irregular periods

Your periods might be irregular when they first start as your body adjusts to the changes in your hormones This can sometimes make it hard to know when your period will happen so you could keep a sanitary pad or tampon in the zipped section of your bag or in a make-up bag or pencil case in case you need it.

You might miss a period after your first one as your body gets used to the changes. Being ill, not eating and some types of medication can also make your period late. If you’re worried or your periods don't settle down into a regular pattern, it may help to talk this through with a doctor or nurse.

A period doesn't mean you'll bleed all day. It's normal to stop bleeding for a few hours and then bleed a bit more. Everyone is different and what you experience may be different to what someone else experiences.

How much blood do you lose?

The amount of blood you lose during your period is about 30-70 ml, which is 5 to 12 teaspoons full, although it might seem like a lot more.

Period blood is red but can be pink, brown or black on lighter days. All of these are normal but if you’re worried about anything it’s okay to talk to an adult you trust, like a parent, carer, relative or your school nurse.

If you find that you have very heavy periods, or you have bleeding between periods you should talk to your doctor.

WHY DO PERIODS HAPPEN

Periods are part of your menstrual cycle which is all about your fertility and your body preparing for the possibility to be able to become pregnant.

Each month one of your ovaries (you have 2) releases an egg. The egg travels down 1 of 2 tubes called fallopian tubes and into your womb.

The lining of your womb thickens for a short while during this time. If the egg is fertilised by sperm from a boy's body, it will stick in this lining and grow. This is how you get pregnant.

If the egg is not fertilised, then the lining of the womb breaks down and passes out of your body through your vagina as a small amount of blood — this is called a period.

STAYING ACTIVE DURING YOUR PERIOD

It’s okay to exercise and play sports during your period. You can wear a sanitary pad or tampon as you would normally do.

Gentle exercise can help with mild pain and bloating but if you feel very uncomfortable or in pain, you could take pain relief tablets or have a break if you can.

If you want to swim while on your period, a tampon will absorb the blood and won't show through your swimwear. It's important to remember to change the tampon when you have finished swimming. Using a pad will not be as effective because it will absorb water.