Starting your period is the ultimate signal a girl is becoming a woman. But many women of all ages struggle with worries about what is right and normal for their periods. The key is to realize that everyone is different so what is normal for someone else may be different from what is normal for you.
How much blood is normal during my period?
You get your period each month because hormones (chemicals in your blood) trigger the inside lining of your uterus to clean itself. This is a normal part of how your body gets ready to start a new cycle of preparing for an egg to be fertilized if you get pregnant. This lining and a little bit of blood will flow out of your body through your vagina.
There is no “right amount” of blood to have during your period, and your period can change from month to month. Some months you may have a heavier flow and other months barely see any blood at all. Some months, you may also have thicker blood clots along with the blood.
It may be scary at first to see the blood from your period. But unless you have a medical condition that causes you to bleed excessively, you are not likely to lose too much blood during your period. In fact, although it can look like a lot of blood on your pads, the average amount of blood lost during a period is only about two tablespoons each month. But if you have very heavy bleeding so that you need to change your pad or tampon every one to two hours, or if you having bleeding for more than seven days, see your doctor right away.
Should I use tampons or pads?
This is really your choice. Some women don’t like the bulk of pads. Others don’t like how tampons feel. You may find that tampons are more uncomfortable if your flow is light, and you may decide to wear tampons sometimes and pads other times. If you are going to be swimming, you’ll want to use tampons. Leaving a tampon in for too long can sometimes make you sick, so be sure to change your tampon a minimum of every eight hours. More often than that is better.
How many days will my period last?
There is no “right” number of days for your period to last. Some women have periods that last just two or three days and other women have periods that last up to seven days. If you have bleeding that lasts more than seven days, talk to your doctor to find out why your periods are longer than normal.
How often should I get my period?
The number of days between the start of one period and the start of the next is called your “cycle”. Count the first day you get your period as day one and keep counting until you get your period again. Each month, the first day counts as day one. So if you get your period on June 15, count that as day one. If your next period arrives on July 10th, the last day of your cycle was July 9th and your cycle was 25 days long. There is no right or wrong length for your cycle. Most women’s cycles are around 28 days long, but some cycles are normal at 21 days or 45 days. Keeping track of your cycle on a calendar can help you get used to what is “normal” for you.
When will my period be “regular”?
A girl starts getting her period when hormone levels in her body get high enough to trigger it. But hormone levels can continue to go up and down for years after your period starts. Most girls find that their periods settle into a pattern within about three years. Even after your period gets to be “regular” you can still have months where it is shorter or longer than normal. You may also have months where your periods are spread farther apart than normal, or where you have two periods right after each other.
Will my period be painful?
There is no way to predict if your period will be painful or not. The inside of your uterus does not hurt when you bleed. But sometimes you may have muscle cramps in your abdomen that can range from mild to very painful. Most of the time, cramps in teens and young women are caused by an imbalance of certain chemicals in your body during this time of the month. If an older woman starts having cramps or her cramps get worse, it could be a sign that a problem is developing such as uterine fibroids (non-cancerous growths in the uterus) or endometriosis (a condition where tissue from the uterus migrates into the abdomen and bleeds there, causing pain).
What can I do about cramps?
Some over-the-counter medications help ease the pain of cramps, including:
• Ibuprofen – sold as Advil, Motrin, and Midol Cramp
• Ketoprofen – sold as Orudis KT
• Naproxen – sold as Aleve
Sometimes soaking in a warm bath or putting a warm compress on your abdomen can help your muscles relax, which can ease cramping. Be sure to see your doctor if these medications don’t work or if your pain is bad enough to interfere with school or work.
What if my period doesn’t show up?
If your periods are usually regular and you suddenly miss a month, the first thing to think about is whether or not you could be pregnant. Even if you are using birth control, if you have had sex, pregnancy might be possible. You can buy a home pregnancy test at any pharmacy to check for yourself, or go to the doctor to get tested. Other things that can cause you to miss a period include losing a lot of weight or being very underweight, stress, and eating disorders. If you are sure you are not pregnant, missing a period for one month is probably not cause for alarm. If you miss several periods, see your doctor to figure out what is going on.
What are menstrual irregularities?
Irregularities are anything that is different from what is normal for you and your period. It may mean you stop getting your period for several months even though you are not pregnant (amenorrhea) or that you only have a period once in a while instead of every month (oligomenorrhea). Either of these things can happen if you are exercising at a very high level, if you have an eating disorder, if you are under a lot of stress, or if you have a tumor or hormone problem. If you don’t get your period for several months and you are sure you are not pregnant or if you have bleeding that is much heavier than usual, schedule an appointment with your doctor or gynecologist to figure out what is going on.
If you are concerned about your period or have questions about what to expect, don’t be afraid to talk to your doctor or gynecologist. Understanding what is happening in your body is the first step toward taking care of your health.
Sources:
Teens Health.org
National Women’s Health Information Center
National Institutes of Health