Hi, 34AA is your bra size based on these measurements. Check out my blog below on the styles of bras available and what to look out for when choosing a first bra.

Your First Bra And How To Choose A Starter Bra

Hi, I can hear how torn you are, finding out someone you love was with someone else, especially when you didn’t realise you were truly “on a break” can feel like a massive betrayal, even if he believes he didn’t technically do anything wrong. Your feelings here are valid, and it’s okay that this has shaken you.

What it really comes down to now isn’t whether you can forgive him, many people can! But whether you think you’ll ever be able to let this go and stop it living rent‑free in your head. Forgetting isn’t about pretending it didn’t happen or having endless conversations about it; it’s about reaching a point where it no impacts on your present or future. If this moment stays close to the surface, it can quietly chip away at trust and happiness over time.

Rather than pushing him to re‑explain himself again and again, the focus needs to be on you. Ask yourself honestly: Do I believe I could move forward without this being brought up in future arguments? Could I feel secure again without checking, worrying, or replaying it? If the answer is no, even if you love him that’s important information. Love alone isn’t always enough if peace of mind can’t be restored.

There’s no right or wrong choice here, and you don’t have to decide quickly. Some mistakes can be left firmly in the past, and others quietly change how we feel forever. Either way, choosing what allows you to feel calm, secure, and respected is never the wrong decision.

Periods can start as early as the age of 8, but as a general rule most arrive around the ages of 112-13, but anything between 8-18 is considered normal.

hi, what you’re describing actually confuses lots of people. If you’re noticing small dots or streaks of blood in your underwear, on toilet paper, or on a pad or pantyliner, that’s very likely not just “spotting” in the way people imagine it. For many girls, their first period starts exactly like this.

First periods are often light, slow, and a bit stop‑start. They don’t usually arrive as a big, heavy flow straight away. Some first periods look more like gentle trickles or light bleeding over a few days and that still counts as a real period.

So yes, if you’re seeing blood, even a little, it’s quite possible that this is your first period beginning, rather than a sign that one is coming later. Keep using pads or liners, let your mum or carer know if you haven’t already, and just see how it plays out over the next few days.

That’s fab news, and it’s totally normal to feel a bit like “uhhh what now?!” when it finally happens.

First things first:

• If you haven’t already, tell your mum or the person who looks after you, they’ll want to make sure you’ve got everything you need.
• Grab some pads or tampons (pads are often easiest to start with) and get comfortable.

Now take a breath. The long wait, wondering when it would happen, is over and honestly, that’s usually the most stressful part. Your period shouldn’t stop you carrying on with your day as normal. You might feel a bit tired, crampy, or emotional, or you might feel… absolutely fine. All of that is normal.

Here's my first period day tips:

• Change your pad regularly so you feel fresh and confident
• Drink some water and eat normally
• Rest if you need to but it’s also okay to go about your day
• Keep a spare pad in your bag, just in case

And remember: the first few periods can be a bit unpredictable, light, stop‑start, or short so don’t worry if it doesn’t look like what you expected.

firstly, good luck today 💙 

For swimming galas, tampons or a menstrual cup are the best options, and if bringing a tampon to the bathroom feels awkward, you’re not alone, lots of people feel that way at first. A few tips that might help:

• Pop a spare tampon into a small pocket, pencil case, or the sleeve of a hoodie so it’s not obvious
• You can also take your swim bag or towel with you to the toilets, that’s very normal at galas
• Put a fresh tampon in just before your race, then change it afterwards when you can

Tampons can be worn for up to 8 hours, which should be plenty for a gala, and you can always use a natural loo break between events to go back to your locker and change if needed.

Try to remember: everyone there is focused on swimming, not what anyone else is doing in the bathroom. You’ve got this, go enjoy your races and be proud of yourself for competing, period and all.

Oh, I promise you this is far more normal than you think. Guess what - I went swimming just last week and realised as I was getting into the pool that I hadn’t shaved my legs or my underarms either. And you know what? Absolutely nothing happened. No one stared, no one cared, and no one said a word.

We’re often our own worst critics. We over‑analyse our bodies and tiny details, especially in situations like swimming where we feel more exposed. But the truth is, your friends weren’t there to inspect your armpits, they were just happy you came along and joined in. Most people are too busy thinking about themselves to notice what anyone else looks like.

Try to remember the fun you had, not the one detail your brain latched onto afterwards. You showed up, you swam, and you had fun, that’s what matters.

Great news and I am glad I could be of help.

Yes, you probably do need to chill a little, but with kindness towards yourself, not judgment. Given what you’ve been through, your reactions make total sense.

Here’s what I’m noticing from what you’ve shared: his actions are actually pretty consistent and reassuring. He’s taken you on a proper date, planned the next one, bought you a thoughtful gift, offered to do the travelling so you don’t have to spend loads on trains, and has clearly said he’s not seeing anyone else. When you’re together, he treats you well. Those are not the signs of someone messing you about.

What’s throwing you is the time apart and the texting gaps, which is very common if you’ve come out of an emotionally abusive relationship. When you’ve been hurt before, your brain stays on high alert and starts scanning for danger, even when things are okay. Add distance and different communication styles, and it’s no surprise the anxiety kicks in.

A big thing to remind yourself of: not everyone lives on their phone, many people (men especially, but not only men) dip in and out of messages during the day and don’t see that as a reflection of interest. Silence doesn’t automatically mean loss of feelings, often it just means busy, distracted, or offline. Try not to fill those gaps with worst‑case stories.

My biggest tip is this: focus on the relationship you’re building when you’re together, not the imaginary one you start worrying about when you’re apart. Be present, enjoy the dates, be the relaxed, warm, funny version of yourself because that’s who he’s choosing to see. Avoid tracking his phone habits or over‑analysing what he’s doing when he’s not with you. Everyone needs space to live their own life, and honestly, that space gives you more to talk about when you reunite.

Please don't let past hurt rush something that’s unfolding quite nicely.  Let him show you who he is over time. Right now, his behaviour says interest and respect and that’s a solid place to be.

Hi, I’m really glad you asked this, because it shows you’re thinking about your health and that’s a good thing!

I want to start by saying something important: I can’t tell you whether a specific number on the scales is “right” or “wrong” for you, especially at 13. During puberty, bodies grow and change at different speeds, and weight alone doesn’t tell us whether someone is healthy.

Things like genetics, growth spurts, muscle, bone development, hormones, what you eat, how active you are, and even where you’re at in puberty all play a part. It’s absolutely normal for weight to change during this time, after all, we wouldn’t expect our bodies at 13 to weigh the same as they did when we were little.

Try to shift the focus away from the scales and towards questions like: Am I eating regularly? Do I have energy? Do I feel okay most days? Your body is doing a huge amount of growing right now, and it deserves kindness, not constant checking.

Check out my blog Weight Gain In Teens for more advice.

Weight gain in Teens

Hi, it’s understandable to feel confused about this, especially when you don’t know your friend very well, but it’s really important not to jump to conclusions. Periods can start at very different times for different people, and the signs of puberty don’t always show up in the same order. Some people do get their first period before noticeable breast development, and that can be completely normal.

It’s also worth knowing that not everyone with a period needs to rush to the toilet often, and not everyone talks about it openly once they’ve mentioned it once. When your friend said she had a cramp, she might have been talking about an early period‑type cramp, or even just a regular tummy ache, some people use the words interchangeably, especially if they’re unsure what’s happening in their body yet.

For now, my advice would be to take what she’s said at face value and give her space. People can feel very private or self‑conscious about periods, especially at the beginning of their period journey.

Hi, what you’re feeling actually makes so much sense, and is very normal!

Two things are worth clearing up first. The idea that periods are always painful is a bit of a myth, for lots of people, periods aren’t really painful at all and feel much like any other day, just with pads or tampons to manage. Everyone’s experience is different.

The second thing is the feeling you’re describing. It’s completely natural to feel a bit unsure or mixed up when a close friend reaches a big milestone before you do. It’s not exactly jealousy and it’s not exactly wanting it either, it’s more about being aware that something important is coming your way too. That in‑between feeling is really common when friends start developing at different times.

My top tip is to focus on being prepared, not pressured. Learn about periods, puberty, and what to expect so that when your time comes, you feel calm and ready rather than worried. And remember, there’s no “right order” for these things, your body will do what it needs to do when it’s ready. 

This really is a big moment, isn’t it? You’ve probably been thinking about it for a long time, and now that it’s actually happened, it can feel weirdly hard to say the words out loud.

Often, the easiest way is to keep it simple and casual. You could say something like, “Hey, my period’s arrived, can we get some pads so I can manage it?” If saying it face‑to‑face feels too awkward, it’s absolutely okay to send a text instead. Plenty of people do.

It really is important to let your mum know, though. She’ll want to make sure you always have the period products you need and to look out for you if your period feels uncomfortable or you have questions. Remember, she’s been through this herself, for her, this won’t be shocking or embarrassing, just another part of growing up that she can help you with.

You may even like to try the Lil-Lets Teens range of pads, ideal for someone new to periods as they are shorter and narrower than other brands.

You are definitely not alone, for as long as I’ve been answering questions on Ask Vicki, this has stayed firmly in my top five worries for young girls. It’s such a common concern, and it’s actually one of the reasons I wrote a whole blog about it.

Trust me when I say this: your mum has almost certainly already noticed that you’re ready for a bra. She may even be waiting for you to bring it up, because she doesn’t want to embarrass you or push you before you’re ready.

If saying the words out loud feels like too much, there are easier ways to start the conversation. You could casually ask something like, “How old were you when you got your first bra?” or “Who took you shopping for your first one?” You can even send it as a text if that feels more comfortable. It takes the focus off you, breaks the ice, and usually opens the door to a really normal, supportive chat.

Remember, needing a bra isn’t a big or embarrassing thing, it’s just another part of growing up. And mums have been through it all themselves.

Here is my blog for more tips.

How To Ask To Ask Your Mum For Your First Bra

Yes, everything you've described can be signs that your first period is getting closer. Breast buds, pubic hair, increased discharge, and short cramps in the lower belly are all very normal parts of puberty, and many people notice these changes in the months before their first period arrives.

Unfortunately, even with these excellent signs, there’s no way to give an exact date or number of days or weeks. Periods arrive when the body feels ready, and even when you’ve noticed lots of clues, the first one can still come as a surprise.

The best thing you can do now is be prepared. Keep a little period kit with you when you’re out, and have some pads in your bedroom or bathroom drawer so you’re ready when it does arrive. 

Hi, yes these have both been answered, in the box on the Recently Asked Questions page, type in either GpFFk or P3hSO for my responses.

Yes, it is completely normal to get belly pains or cramps before your first period. For people who’ve been menstruating for a while, cramps can be a sign that a period is on the way.

Before your very first period, though, it’s a little different!

Your body is going through lots of changes during puberty, especially in your reproductive organs, and that alone can cause aches, cramps, or uncomfortable feelings in your tummy. These feelings can happen on and off and don’t always mean your period is about to start immediately, sometimes it’s just your body growing and adjusting.

That said, if you’re noticing tummy cramps or other early signs (like changes to discharge, mood, or energy), it’s a great idea to start preparing now. Putting together a small period kit and keeping it with you can help you feel more confident and ready, just in case.

I’ve listed some helpful signs to look out for in my blogs below, why not have a read and let me know what you think!

What Is Puberty & How To Manage It?

My First Period

I’m really glad you reached out. Before anything else, your safety matters most. If these feelings are strong or feel unmanageable, please consider reaching out for immediate support in the UK:

Samaritans: 116 123 (free, 24/7)
NHS 111 – ask for urgent mental health support
999 if you are in immediate danger

What you’re describing is something many people with OCD experience. OCD can make your brain tell you that bad things are your fault or that you’re somehow responsible for what happens to others. These thoughts feel real and upsetting, but they are OCD thoughts, not facts and not a reflection of who you are! Having these thoughts doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong, it means your brain is being unfair to you.

When OCD is loud and constant, it can make everyday life feel exhausting and overwhelming, and that can lead to thoughts about wanting everything to stop. But with support OCD can get better with the right help, and you deserve care, understanding, and kindness while you’re going through this. 

For discharge I would always recommend pantyliners, these are slimmer than a pad and ideal when capturing discharge, check out the Lil-Lets range of pantyliners, we even have teen liners, that are that little bit shorter and narrower for smaller bodies.

Friendships often get messy during puberty and early teens because emotions are on a roller coaster ride and people don’t always communicate clearly or kindly. Arguments can spiral quickly, and things get said that aren’t really about the original topic at all. That seems to be what happened here, the discussion stopped being about sport and turned into hurt feelings and defensiveness.

The simplest and safest way forward is this: send a brief, calm message. Don’t re‑argue the sport comparison and don’t list everything that went wrong. Something like “I think things got out of hand earlier and I didn’t mean for it to turn into a personal argument. I’d like us to let it go and move on if we can.” This opens the door to peace.

Friendships aren’t worth losing over a debate about sport, but it’s also okay to quietly notice how people speak to you when they’re angry. You did the right thing by going silent instead of saying something you’d regret, and you’re allowed to protect your peace. See how friends respond when you offer calm honesty. That will tell you a lot.