Dear Dish-It, When Will I Get My Period? 4c5sr

Jan 31, 2018

Dear Dish-It,

I’m 12 and I don’t have my discharge for about six months. How will I know when I get my first period and when will it happen? How will it feel and what do I need to do? Will it always come at the same time after the first one?

Waiting & Wondering

Dear W&W,

Your period (also called menstruation) is a major stage of puberty in girls; it’s one of the many physical signs that you’re turning into a woman. And, like a lot of other stages associated with puberty, menstruation can be confusing and mysterious. Here are some period basics that will help you with your first period, and every menstruation cycle after that.

When girls start to go through hormones in your body stimulate new physical development, like growth and breast development.

About 6 months or so before you get your first discharge. It’s common and nothing to worry about unless it has a strong smell or makes you feel itchy.

The start of your period is called menarche. It doesn’t happen until all the parts of your reproductive system have matured and are working together.

Your reproductive system is made up of uterus.

As you mature and enter into puberty, menopause and your ovaries no longer release any eggs.

How Often Will I Get My Period? 191f7

I wish I could give you a solid answer but, just as some girls begin puberty earlier or later than others, the same applies to periods. Some girls may start menstruating as early as 8, while others don’t start until 15.

The amount of time between a girl’s periods is called her menstrual cycle lasts 28 days, while others might have a 24-day cycle, a 30-day cycle or longer.

Irregular periods are common in girls just starting to menstruate. It may take your body a while to sort out all the changes going on, so you may have a 28-day cycle for 2 months, then miss a month, for example. Usually, after a year or two, your cycle will become more regular.

As you get older and your [KWLINK 6814]periods settle down, you’ll probably be able to predict when your period will come. In the meantime, it's a good idea to keep track of your menstrual cycle with a calendar.

How Long? How Much? 2441j

The amount of time you have your period can also vary. Some girls have periods that last just 2 or 3 days. Others have periods that last 7 days or longer. The menstrual flow – how much blood there is – can vary widely from girl to girl, too.

You may feel worried that you’re losing too much blood you lose would only amount to about 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) for an entire period. Most teens will change pads 3 to 6 times a day, with more frequent changes when their period is heaviest, usually at the start of the period.

You may notice physical or emotional changes around the time of your period. Menstrual cramps often become less uncomfortable and sometimes even disappear completely as you get older.

Over-the-counter pain medications (like acetaminophen or ibuprofen) can relieve cramps, as can taking a warm bath or applying a warm heating pad to the lower abdomen. Exercising regularly throughout the monthly cycle may help lessen cramps, too. If these things don't help, ask your doctor for advice.

You may feel sad or irritated during the week before your period or you may get angry more quickly, cry more than usual or crave certain foods. These emotional changes may be the result of premenstrual syndrome (PMS usually goes away soon after your period starts, but it can come back month after month. Eating right, getting enough sleep and exercising may help relieve some of the symptoms of PMS.

Once you start menstruating, you'll need to use something to absorb the blood. Most girls use a pad or a tampons and some switch around – tampons during the day and pads at night, for example.

Periods shouldn't get in the way of exercising, having fun and enjoying life. Girls who are very active, particularly those who enjoy swimming, often find that tampons are the best option during sports.

If you have questions about pads, tampons or coping with periods, ask a parent, health teacher, school nurse, or older sister.

So, ya gotta burnin' question? Need some love directions? Thinkin' 'bout stuff like depression, sex,how ya feel 'bout YOURSELF (that's called "self-esteem"), boyfriends, girlfriends, losin' old friends, bullyin' or peer pressure, but too scared to ask the parents? Don't be scared to Dish-It here. Send all of your questions to [email protected] But 'member, if ya hang out in Chat with other Kidzworld who know ya by your 'name', ya might wanna use a secret nickname when ya write in. That way no one'll ever know it's you. And, just in case ya don't know, Dish-It gets a lotta letters everyday, and she can't answer 'em all. So keep checkin' the column cuz she's prob'ly answerin' somethin' very similar to your question while you're out doin' somethin' else. K? And Thanks! Ya keep her outta trouble. Oh! And if ya've got words of wisdom you wanna share,We'll dish 'em up, too.

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