Period Basics
Explore the signs, sensations, and changes your body experiences through every stage of your cycle.
If you are seeing these changes, your first period could come in 6 months to about 2 years from now!
Changes As You Age
Your cycle and your symptoms change, just like you do, as you get older. Find out how!
You've heard the basics in school, but how does the cycle work in real-world terms?
PMS or PMDD?
Find out what your symptoms may be telling you.
Wondering if what you are experiencing is "normal" or whether you should call your doc?
What Does It Feel Like?
When you've never experienced it, it is hard to imagine what a period feels like. We're not shy over here!
Early Signs Your First Period Could Be Coming Soon While we can't know exactly when changes like periods will happen, we can look at clues to make an educated guess and help our girls prepare a bit. 1. Breast buds/new breast growth: When you start noticing your girl may want to look into a bra, bralette, or sports bra, you can typically predict a period to show up within 2-3 years. It's helpful to keep track of the approximate timeframe you go bra shopping, so you will have an idea of when to be on the lookout for the first period. 2. New hair growth: Typically underarm and pubic hair growth signal a period beginning within about 1-2 years. This may be something you let your daughter know to mention to you, so you can help her keep track of time. 3. Clear or yellowish discharge in underwear: This is a normal sign of hormonal shifts, and can signal a period is on the way. That uterus lining is building up in prep to start menstruation! Give her about a year, give or take, from this sign. 4. Sudden growth spurt: Again, the body is showing signs of hormonal shifts and getting ready for more changes! Get that measurement chart out and take a peek, especially if pants are becoming high-waters or shirts are looking cropped suddenly! 5. More immediate signs: If your girlie is telling you about sudden cramping, bloating, or back pain, you may want to start talking about how these *could* be signs that her period will start. Helping her be aware of early signs can really help her with getting the right products ready.
Understanding the Cycle It can be a bit complicated, since there are lots of names of hormones involved that all have different roles in the cycle. Plus, each person's cycle can be a bit different. The menstrual part (the bleeding) can last about 3-7 days each month The follicular phase starts when your period starts and ends when ovulation happens (it lasts about 12-14 days) Ovulation takes about 1-2 days The luteal phase is usually around 13-14 days
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Normal or Not? Normal: -Inconsistent cycles for the first few years (different amount of days of bleeding, different amount of time between start of new bleeding, etc) -fluctuations in amount of bleeding throughout one period (light some days, heavy others) -symptoms such as cramping, back pain, headaches, that can mostly be managed with over the counter medications, a hot pack, or stretching -bleeding for approximately 3-7 days (a bit of variation between each cycle is okay) Not Normal: -completely inconsistent and unpredictable periods after the first few years -heavy bleeding (you have to change your pad or tampon every hour) -bleeding longer than 7 days -find yourself wearing 2 pads to prevent leaks -pass blood clots the size of a quarter multiple times a period -find yourself avoiding your normal activities or life due to period bleeding -severe pain that causes you to miss activities (school, work, sports, extra curriculars) -feeling short of breath or absolutely exhausted during your period
Changes As You Age
PMS or PMDD? PMS: Physical & Emotional Symptoms -bloating -cramping -feeling irritable or moody -constipation or diarrhea -mood swings -breast tenderness -being tired -anxiety/depression PMDD: More Severe Emotional & Physical Symptoms -cramps and bloating -breast tenderness -panic attacks -feeling out of control -binge eating -trouble focusing -lack of interest in daily life -irritability or anger -has significant impact on participating in life tasks -please consider seeking help from a professional
What Does It Feel Like?
