Before a daughter's first period (menarche), expect typical puberty signs like breast budding, pubic/underarm hair, vaginal discharge (6-12 months prior), and growth spurts, accompanied by potential mood swings, acne, bloating, fatigue, and breast tenderness (PMS symptoms), with the actual bleeding usually starting a couple of years after breast development begins.
There are other signs to watch for as you get closer to the big day. Dr. Chattha explains, “Acne, mood swings and a growth spurt tend to occur just before the first menstrual period. Some girls will have white or yellow vaginal discharge and others can have abdominal pain, too.”
But signs to watch for include: breasts starting to develop (periods usually start about 2 years after this) hair growing under a girl's arms and in her private parts. seeing or feeling vaginal discharge fluid (sort of like mucus), which usually begins about 6 months to a year before a girl gets her first period.
Preparing for the First Period
Small discussions about the experience rather than one formal talk, which can feel like a lecture, can make the topic more manageable. You should also keep some menstrual products on hand at the house, such as pads, tampons, and period underwear.
The menstrual cycle is a series of changes your body goes through each month to prepare for possible pregnancy. The four phases of the menstrual cycle are menstruation, the follicular phase, ovulation and the luteal phase. Understanding your menstrual cycle will help you know when you're most likely to get pregnant.
Symptoms like mood swings, fatigue, and sore breasts usually start one to two weeks before your period arrives, while other symptoms like cramps start just a couple of days before you start menstruating.
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) has a wide variety of signs and symptoms, including mood swings, tender breasts, food cravings, fatigue, irritability and depression. It's estimated that as many as 3 of every 4 menstruating women have experienced some form of premenstrual syndrome.
July 14, 2022
Growing pubic hair
Soon after her breasts start to form, she'll start developing pubic hair. It will be soft and thin at first and then gradually become coarser. Her first period usually arrives around one to two years after pubic hair starts growing.
You might want to use pads for your very first period as tampons and cups can take some getting used to. It might be worth experimenting until you find the product that suits you best.
The most common symptoms of PMS include:
The abrupt decline in progesterone and estradiol levels at the end of the luteal phase triggers the shedding of the endometrium, which can no longer be sustained without these hormones. This shedding is referred to as menses.
Girls usually begin puberty between the ages of 8 and 13 years old. The earliest sign of puberty in most girls is the development of breast "buds," nickel-sized bumps under the nipple. It is not unusual for breast growth to start on one side before the other.
Ideas for your child's period party
When she reveals what has happened, don't express astonishment or disappointment. Instead, begin by letting her know that everything is alright, and help her put on a sanitary pad. Later, sit her down and talk to her, calmly. Explain periods if she is not sufficiently aware in a simple, efficient way.
Based on time trends, more recent birth cohorts have their menarche earlier and grow taller. However, women with earlier menarche reach a shorter adult height compared with women who have menarche at a later age.
Some girls develop breasts at a very young age but have no other signs of sexual development. A few children have pubic and armpit hair long before other signs of sexual growth. These changes in pattern usually don't mean the child has a problem, but it's a good idea to visit your doctor to find out for sure.
(The largest growth – almost 3 inches – typically happens around age 11 or 12, right before she gets her first period.) She'll add a noticeable amount of weight, too, both during and after puberty. After she gets her period, growth slows, but a girl can still grow two to three inches total.
Breast buds usually grow about 2–2.5 years before your period starts, but if you notice your breast buds at an earlier age (when you're 8 or 9), it may take closer to three years for your period to start.
Women who eat period-friendly foods experience milder symptoms during their monthly cycle. Dark chocolate, ginger, and leafy greens provide natural relief. Excessive salt, sugar, and caffeine can worsen the discomfort.
But it's completely normal for menstrual blood to be brownish. It's also perfectly normal for some girls to have their first period for just 2 or 3 days. Many girls will have a very light flow the first few times they get their period, while others have more.
Anyone with their period can enjoy swimming without using a tampon. Alternative products like menstrual cups can also help protect against leaks. Other options include certain types of swimwear, designed to help absorb menstrual flow and prevent leaks.
Genetics and environment both play a role in triggering menarche: Heredity: Your genes influence when you get your first period. People commonly get their periods when their mother did. Hormones: Hormones in your brain and your sex organs regulate your menstrual cycle and play a role in menarche, too.
However, relatively fat children tended to undergo menarche earlier than did thinner children, with each standard deviation increase in pre-menarcheal BMI increasing the odds of early menarche (<12 y) by approximately 2-fold.
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a combination of symptoms that many women get about a week or two before their period. Most women, over 90%, say they get some premenstrual symptoms, such as bloating, headaches, and moodiness.