Everything You Need To Know About Your First Period

One of the most important changes you will experience is menstruation, when your bleeding begins. If you feels nervous about this, don't forget that you are not alone. This happens to all girls. After a few months, we're sure you’ll be calmer about your periods, but until that time comes, we want to help you feel calmer and more prepared, so here are answers to some of your most frequently asked questions.

What is a period?

It's what happens when your body is mature enough to be able to have a baby. Each month, the tissue lining the inside wall of your uterus (womb) thickens and your ovaries shed an egg (called an ovum). If a sperm fertilizes the egg, the tissue remains unchanged and is prepared to help the pregnancy thrive. But if the egg is not fertilized, your body will eliminate that tissue through the vagina. That tissue is the blood you see, and this once-a-month process is called menstruation.

When will you get your first period?

Most girls start having symptoms of their first menstrual period between the ages of 11 and 14, but it can also occur anytime between the ages of 8 and 16. Remember that all women are different, so a normal age for your friends does not have to be the same for you. You may have periods until around age 50, when you will begin another stage called menopause. At menopause, your body will stop menstruating and you will no longer be able to have children.

What are the signs of your first menstruation?

Do you know what changes we are talking about? For example: Your breasts are growing, pubic hair is starting to grow, and there is the presence of a white vaginal discharge in your underwear, these changes in your body indicate that you may soon have your first menstruation. When it begins, you may experience premenstrual syndrome (PMS). This causes symptoms such as menstrual cramps (belly cramps), moodiness, bloating, back pain, weight gain and acne rash.

How long does the first menstrual period last?

Normally, bleeding can last about 4 to 5 days, but your period can also last from 3 to 8 days. As we said, all girls are different. Your period is part of a menstrual cycle, which starts on the first day of bleeding and ends the day before your next period starts. The normal menstrual cycle is 28 days but can be shorter or longer.

What would normal bleeding look like?

It may seem like a lot of blood, but it probably won't be more than 2 or 3 tablespoons. It is normal to have heavier bleeding in the first few days of menstruation.