Everything you need to know about getting your first period!
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Written by Jen Bell
| Reviewed by Staci Tanouye, M.D.
BLOOM has created this section to help you be prepared, so that you won’t be caught off guard! Your first period, (Menarche), is a sign that you are getting close to the end of puberty. For everyone who has a uterus, periods are a natural, healthy part of growing up. Once you start your period, you can expect to get one about once a month until menopause (when you’re around 45-55 years old). Periods can temporarily stop during pregnancy, breast feeding, some illnesses, or if you use hormonal medication such as some types of birth control. Your period shouldn’t get in the way of you exercising, having fun, and enjoying life! Most females assigned at birth get their first period when they’re around 9-14 years old. If you haven’t gotten your first period, take the our First Period Quiz, to see when you can expect it! Transgender boys, nonbinary people, and intersex people can also get their period if they have a uterus and ovaries. To learn more about your period if you identify as transgender, nonbinary, or intersex, click here.
How long do periods last?
The length of a period can vary from one person to another, and from one menstrual cycle to another, but the typical length is between 3-7 days of bleeding. Your first few periods might be quite short, with only a little bit of bleeding.
How often does a period happen?
In the first few years, it’s normal for your menstrual cycle (the time from day 1 of one period to day 1 of the next period) to vary from 21-45 days. About three years after your first period, you should have a period every 21-34 days, with the average cycle length being 28 days. Usually, it takes a few years from your first period until your cycle becomes regular. This is because your hormone levels take some time to come into balance.
How much blood will come out?
Your period flow (volume) is the amount of blood that comes out, and the easiest way to measure it is by noting how often you need to change your period products. Your flow may be light, regular, heavy, or very heavy. You’ll probably need to change your pad, tampon, or menstrual cup about 3–6 times a day. The average volume of menstrual blood is only between 3-8 tablespoons for your entire period. During your period, you may have some light days when you’re barely bleeding at all, and then some days where your bleeding is heavier. The color and consistency of the blood can change, and you may notice small dark clumps or clots. For more information about your period flow, visit BLOOM’s Signs of Your Cycle Page.
When will I get my first period?
Most females assigned at birth get their first period when they’re around 9-14 years old. If you haven’t gotten your first period, take our First Period Quiz, to see when you can expect it! Everybody has its own programming, and the timing of your first period can be influenced by a variety of factors. If you’re expecting your period and it hasn’t come by your 15th birthday, it’s a good idea to speak with your doctor.
Signs your First Period is Coming
It can be tricky to know when your first period will come, but there are some clues that can indicate it will start soon. Most of the time, your first period will arrive about 2-3 years after your breasts start to develop, and around 1-2 years after pubic hair starts to grow around your genitals and underarms. These are just some of the changes that happen to your body during puberty. To learn more about puberty, visit BLOOM’s Puberty page.
A telltale sign that your period is coming soon, is vaginal discharge (sort of like mucus) that you might see or feel on your underwear. This discharge usually begins about 6 months to a year before the onset of your first period and may look clear and stringy. This all may sound sort of weird, but trust us, vaginal discharge is normal and can be used as a helpful indicator of where you are in your cycle. To learn more about the different types of vaginal discharge you may experience throughout your cycle and what they mean, read BLOOM’s Signs of your Cycle article.
Another sign that your first period is fast approaching is premenstrual syndrome or PMS. Though there are some negative stereotypes about PMS, it has many positive effects too! You might have heard about the chocolate cravings, cramps, and headaches, but did you know that many people report increased creativity, sharpened senses, and deeper emotional connections during this time? To learn more read BLOOM’s PMS article.
Being prepared for your first period can save you a lot of anxiety and stress. BLOOM has created a complete First Period Box that will cover you through your first period and beyond. You can also make yourself a first-period kit with some underwear liners, pads, and/or light tampons. It’s helpful to have pads that range in absorbency level so that you can find the right one to match your flow.
Keep your period kit at home, and put a few pads or underwear liners into a small zip lock or pouch that you can take with you everywhere. You also might want to keep some period supplies in your locker at school. Now you’re prepared for your first period, and you’re also ready in case a friend or classmate needs help.
Can I wear a pad or tampon just in case?
If you’re feeling PMS symptoms or think your period might be about to start, you can wear a light panty liner or pad for just-in-case protection. It’s not a good idea to put a tampon in if you don’t have your period because that can cause an infection. If you’re not bleeding, or even if your flow is very light, then inserting and removing a tampon can be uncomfortable. It’s better to use a liner, pad, or period underwear instead.
The best products to prevent leaks are whichever ones you feel comfortable using. It’s common to start off with underwear liners or pads. Later you might want to try tampons or a menstrual cup. There are other products like washable and reusable fabric pads and period underwear. Some companies make special sizes of period underwear for preteens and teens. To see the range of amazing products we’ve found to help handle your period visit the BLOOM Store. You can also watch instructional videos and find helpful tips on the Period Products page.
How to prevent leaks
If you’re afraid of leaks or stains on your clothing, there are a few different things you can do:
First, know that your fears and concerns are valid but temporary. You will soon be an expert on your body and what is needed to successfully tackle your period each month. You’ll get used to how often you need to change your pad or tampon. If you’re not sure, you can always go to the bathroom to check.
If your pad or underwear liner feels heavy, wet, or damp, it’s probably time to change it. You can check if it’s time to change your tampon by gently pulling on the string. If it starts to come out easily, that means it’s time for a new one.
When you’re using a tampon or menstrual cup, you can add an underwear liner, pad, or period underwear as a backup to catch any leaks. You can wear dark clothing on your bottom half or tie a top or jacket around your waist. If you’re really nervous about staining your clothes by accident, keep an extra change of clothes in your backpack or locker.
And if you do stain your pants one day, just know that this has probably happened to everyone who has a period. You have half the world in your corner!
Lastly, if you’re out and you stain your underwear but not the rest of your clothing, you can simply change your pad or tampon and then wash your underwear when you get home. If you are caught in a situation where you don’t have any products on you, wrap some toilet paper around your underwear until you are able to get a product. When you get home, wash your underwear in the bathroom sink with some cold water and soap — this usually gets most of the blood out. If you have hydrogen peroxide, this is great at removing blood from clothing. Then you can throw them in the washing machine. It’s a good idea to ask a trusted adult for help the first time this happens. The person who does the laundry in your household probably has a few tips!
I think I just got my first period, what should I do?
For starters, take a deep breath and know that this is completely normal and happens to about half of the people in the world – so you’re not alone! Next, tell someone that you trust, and ask them if they can help you get some pads, underwear liners, or tampons. If you get your first period at school, you can visit the school nurse. If your school does not have a nurse, you can always wrap toilet paper around your underwear until you can find a product, and/or ask a friend or trusted adult if they have any products they could give you. Some school bathrooms also have period supplies available. Your first period should not be heavy enough to soil your pants, but if this does happen you can wrap a sweater or sweatshirt around your waist and visit the nurse. If neither of those options are available to you, wrap some toilet paper around your underwear and ask a friend or trusted adult to borrow a period product and/or a sweater or sweatshirt of theirs.
What if I’m the first or last of my friends to get my period?
Written by Jen Bell
| Reviewed by Staci Tanouye, M.D.
If you’re the first…
It’s up to you if you want to share this with your friends or not. Unless you tell them, they probably won’t notice. If you feel lonely, know that it probably won’t be for long. It’s likely that your friends will get their periods too in the next few months — and when that happens they’ll be coming to you for advice!
If you’re the last…
Remember it’s totally normal to not get your period until you are 15, and some people start theirs even later. It’s natural to feel left out if all your friends have experienced something you haven’t, but your body is working hard to grow and develop. So be patient, it will be here before you know it!
It is very likely that at some point in your life you WILL get your period when you’re away from home. The best way to handle this situation is to be prepared by always carrying a few period essentials in your bag, or keep some in your locker at school. It is also likely that someone nearby will have some products that you can use. If you think you’re going to get your period soon, try to wear an underwear liner or your period underwear in preparation and always take a couple of pads or tampons with you when you go out.
If you get it at school…
If you get your period while at school, try asking a friend, teacher or school nurse, or check the nearest restroom — some have a supply of period products. In an emergency, you can always fold up some toilet paper and place it in your underwear as a safeguard until you can find a period product.
If you get it in the middle of class…
If you are in the middle of class and feel your period coming on, you can always raise your hand to be excused or privately ask the teacher if you can go to the bathroom.
If you get it while you’re out…
If you don’t have any products on you, ask a friend or trusted adult. Some public restrooms still have tampon vending machines or a supply of period products, but you can’t always count on these options. If there’s no other option, you can always fold up some toilet paper and place it in your underwear as a safeguard until you can find a period product.
How do I tell my caregiver that I got my period?
Getting your first period is an exciting moment in your life, and sharing your questions and feelings with a caregiver is essential for your support. Talk with your caregiver (or an adult you trust) about what you are experiencing. You can start by asking them to buy some period products for you. Be honest about what you are experiencing and remember that if they have a uterus, they’ve been through this too! If your family is unable to afford period products and you find yourself unable to attend school because of your period, there are many agencies and charities that supply families with free or discounted feminine products. Organizations such as, #HappyPeriod, Free The Period, and Alliance for Period Supplies, are all great options for those who may need assistance affording products.
