At Lil-Lets, we know that you have a lot of questions about your first period. Join us as we answer the most frequent queries we get asked.
The question, “when will I get my first period?” may be playing on your mind — it can be hard to know exactly what to expect and when it might come! Here are some answers to some of the most pressing questions you might have about your first period.
Many children wonder if they’re normal, especially if they’re the first or last in their class to see signs of puberty appearing. If you’re between the ages of eight and 18, then your period could start anytime really. Sometimes, a period can signal the start of puberty, but in other people, menstruation may come after boobs and pubic hair. You could notice signs of your first period at any point over this time. However, it's important to know that everyone is different, and you won't necessarily get your first period at the same age that your parent or sibling did.
The signs your first period is coming are listed here:
First periods, just like any other period, can vary from person to person in the amount of blood released or the length of the period, all of which is normal. While your best friend’s period might last two days, your period could last between five and seven days, and this is completely normal. In some cases, menstruation can even last as long as 10 days. Next time your period comes, make a note in your diary or on your phone, so that you can track your menstrual cycle. Eventually, if your period is kinda regular, you will probably be able to predict when the next one is coming, especially if you experience premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or menstrual pain.
Our Teen Range is perfect for managing your first period.
Once you're in a regular pattern, your period will arrive between 21-34 days later. But to begin with, around the time of your first period, it could take longer than that. You might find that you have irregular periods for a while, and this is completely normal. It can take your body (and menstrual cycle) a little while to fall into its own regular pattern, so don’t be alarmed if you experience irregular bleeding or spotting at first. Your parents or guardians might explain this when you have a period talk.
Your first period is the start of your body preparing itself for a hypothetical pregnancy one day (and we say hypothetical, because whether or not you want to have children is entirely your choice). You’re most likely going to have between nine and twelve periods a year until you’re in your mid-fifties, or hit menopause, which is when your periods come to an end.
As we have mentioned, the word “period” is another word for menstruation, which is the bleeding that you are experiencing. The blood is a result of your uterus and its lining, a tissue called endometrium, maturing, which grows and is shed over the course of a single menstrual cycle. Menstruation then happens because the passage from your uterus and the cervix to your vagina has opened, and menstrual fluid – which looks a lot like blood — can now pass through.
