My First Period -Find Answers to Your Questions

The first period (also referred to as menstruation) is an important event in a girl’s life and part of the normal process of becoming an adult. While some girls can’t wait for their first period to come, others may dread it, not knowing what to expect and feeling shy or embarrassed to ask questions.

We have put together some frequently asked questions and their answers, so as to help all girls understand this event better and be prepared and feel comfortable about it.

• When will I have my first period?

No one can tell you exactly when. Each person has their own biorhythm. Most girls start their periods between the ages of 9 and 16. There really isn’t any way you can tell the exact day you’ll get your first period, but there are some signs that can tell you are getting close.

• What are the signs before the first period?

About 1 year after their breasts have started to grow, most girls will go through a stage of rapid growth. Most girls get their first period in about 2 years after their breasts have started growing and very soon after hair starts growing underarms and in the pubic area. Vaginal discharge is also a clue that you are about to have your first period.

• What are menstrual cramps?

Menstrual cramps are caused by the normal contractions of the uterus and can be often experienced, especially by young women. To read some tips on how to relieve menstrual cramps, read this post: Tips on How to Relieve Menstrual Cramps.

• How often will I have my period?

You may have heard some women talking about their monthly cycle. This cycle begins on the first day of one period and ends on first day of the next period. While women’s periods do tend to come about once per month, there is a wide range in the length of menstrual cycle from woman to woman. Some women’s periods come as often as every 21 days, some as far apart as every 40 days. The most common range is 25-30 days. Especially during the first years, the length of your cycle may vary from month to month, but it tends to become regular in time. Some women have regular cycles and their periods start exactly the same number of days apart each time. It is a good idea to have a calender where you mark the first day of your period every time. This way, you will be able to observe your cycle, to notice if there is a pattern forming and you will be able to estimate better when to expect your next period.

There are still many questions to be answered about your first period and I will continue writing about that in my next post. Till then, if you have any questions, please feel free to write them in the comments section.

Ruth Taylor

This entry was posted on Monday, July 20th, 2009 at 2:08 pm and is filed under Feminine Care, Women's Health, first period. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.