Females have their first period during puberty. The average age to get your first period is 12 or 13, but it can happen as young as 9, or as late as 16.
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.
When do periods start? 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.
A normal discharge usually begins in girls when they start breast development and puberty. It is due to increased estrogen (hormone) levels. The discharge is clear or whitish, thin and small in amount.
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.
Menarche is defined as the first menstrual period in a female adolescent. Menarche typically occurs between the ages of 10 and 16, with the average age of onset being 12.4 years.
When you first start having your period, it may last only a few days. 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.
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.
Start by saying something like, “I feel a bit awkward about this, but I need to talk to you about my periods”. That way, your mum knows right away what the problem is about, and you've got it out there without prolonging any discomfort on your part.
What does period blood (menstrual fluid) look like? Period blood is thicker and darker than other blood. It might be bright red or brownish and be blobby or stringy. This blood is healthy, it doesn't smell and isn't dangerous to touch.
Some females have very light periods, while others have heavy periods. For some, the first period is light, with a small amount of blood. It may begin gradually, starting with some spotting or brown discharge before becoming red. For others, periods begin suddenly, with bright red blood appearing straight away.
See a GP if your periods have not started by age 15 (or 13 if you do not have any other signs of puberty). Your GP may suggest a blood test to check your hormone levels.
Key points about amenorrhea in teens
Amenorrhea has many causes, including hormone problems, eating habits and exercise, or a birth defect. Your teen may need blood tests and a pelvic ultrasound. Treatment may be done with hormones or other medicines, changes in diet or exercise, and calcium supplements.
However, they may be caused by a hormone imbalance, excessive weight loss or exercise, pregnancy, medications, stress, and a myriad of other problems. This is why it's important for a teen girl to see a health care professional if she's stopped getting her periods or is late in starting them.
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.
But a sudden change in your menstrual cycle can make you wonder whether a 1-day period is a reason to be concerned or truly NBD. Plenty of things can be responsible for spotting or a 1-day period, including pregnancy (surprise!), birth control, medications, or certain medical conditions.
What if you get your period at night? If you start bleeding in the evening or overnight, it can be confusing whether to count that as your Day 1 since there are just a few hours left in that day. For the sake of simplicity, I recommend that you do count that as your Day 1.
In the years leading up to your first period, you'll notice changes in your nipples, chest and pubic hair. Your body will become more like an adult, and becoming pregnant will become possible. For most people, these changes become noticeable around ages 8–10, but can happen earlier or later than that (1,2).
Whether you create a self-care experience at home or take her out to a spa, show your daughter how to love on, and take care of her body. Make a special meal for her. Since food plays such a big role in how we take care of our bodies, especially when our cycles are on, making a healthy, delicious meal makes sense.
If your daughter has started her periods, it's a good idea to make her teacher aware.
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.
So let's debunk one myth once and for all: Can you take a bath on your period? Yes, it's totally okay to take a bath while you have your menstrual period.