Getting Your First Period (Menarche)

Getting your period

Getting your first menstrual period is one of the most visible signs that you are starting puberty. Puberty usually happens for girls some time between the ages of 9 and 16. There is nothing wrong with you if you get your period later or earlier than your friends get their periods. Read on to learn what you period actually is and how to deal with it. Or, you can skip ahead to learn about how your period might make you feel and what to do if you are having period problems.

What is it?

The blood that leaves your body during your period is the blood and tissue that build up as the lining of your uterus each month. Your period flow can be light, heavy, or somewhere in between. Your periods may also vary in color. Sometimes menstrual blood will be light red and sometimes, dark red. It may also be heavy the first day or so of your period, and then get lighter. Periods usually last between three and five days, but it is normal to have periods that are either shorter or longer. It is also normal if your periods are not the same number of days each month.

How does it happen?

Your ovaries release or let go of one egg about once a month. If the egg does not become fertilized by male sperm (read more about reproduction), the egg and the lining of your uterus (endometrium) drain out of your vagina as your period. If the egg does become fertilized by male sperm (from sexual intercourse), it will attach itself to the lining of the uterus and grow into a baby.

When does it happen?

Menstrual cycles take place over about one month (around 23 to 35 days), but each woman is different in the number of days this lasts. The cycle includes not just your period, but the rise and fall of hormones and other body changes that take place over the month. To see what is happening on each day of your cycle, check out our GirlsHealth.gov Guide to your Period.

At first, your periods may not be regular; you may have two in one month, or have a month without a period at all. Periods will become more regular in time.

Not all women are the same in the number of days in between periods and how long periods last.

To learn about your own pattern or schedule, keep track of your periods on a calendar. Keeping track will help you to better know when to expect your next period. To use the GirlsHealth.gov Cycle Calendar, click here.

How do I take care of my period?

There are two types of products you can use for your period: sanitary pads and tampons. You might decide one or the other is best for you, or you may want to use a combination of both. No one can see that you are wearing either a tampon or a pad, although you may find some pads to feel a little bulky. You just have to find the right products for you. Whichever ones you use, it is important to follow the instructions on the packaging and wash your hands before and after use.