Most girls get their first period when they're around 12. But getting it any time between age 10 and 15 is OK. Every girl's body has its own schedule.
Just because you're 14 and haven't gotten your period yet doesn't necessarily mean that anything's wrong with you. Some girls, though, might not be getting their first periods for other reasons. Some don't get their periods because of hormone imbalances.
Some of the most common PMS symptoms are:
- Cramps (pain in your lower belly or lower back)
- Bloating (when your belly feels puffy)
- Breakouts (getting pimples)
- Sore breasts.
- Feeling tired.
- Mood swings (when your emotions change quickly or you feel sad, angry, or anxious)
It's common, especially in the first 2 years after a girl starts getting her period, to skip periods or to have irregular periods. Illness, rapid weight change, or stress can also make things more unpredictable. That's because the part of the brain that regulates periods is influenced by events like these.
If you have decided that you want to stop your period, there are a few different ways your doctor will likely suggest you can go about it.
- The Pill.
- Seasonal Birth Control.
- Mirena IUD.
- Birth Control Shot (Depo-Provera)
- Vaginal Ring.
Natural remedies for forestalling your period
- Apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar (ACV) has been touted as a miracle cure for acne, heartburn, and even belly fat.
- Gram lentils. Anecdotal reports say consuming gram lentils in the days just before your period may push it back.
- Lemon juice.
- Gelatin.
- Exercise.
Natural causes most likely to cause amenorrhea include pregnancy, breast-feeding, and menopause. Lifestyle factors may include excessive exercise and stress. Also, having too little body fat or too much body fat may also delay or stop menstruation. Hormonal imbalances may cause amenorrhea.
See your GP if you have not started your periods by the time you're 16. Your GP can assess whether you're going through the normal stages of puberty. It's also a good idea to see your GP if you have not developed any signs of puberty at all by the age of 14. You may be advised to "wait and see".
If your period suddenly becomes much shorter, though, it's normal to be concerned. While it could be an early sign of pregnancy, there are many other possible causes, including lifestyle factors, birth control, or a medical condition.
About 6 months to 1 year before a girl gets her first period, her body may start to make vaginal discharge. This is normal and due to changing hormone levels. The discharge helps keep the vagina healthy. Normal vaginal discharge can have a texture that's anywhere from thin and slightly sticky to thick and gooey.
When you first start having your period, it may last only a few days. Your first few periods may be very light. You may only see a few spots of reddish brown blood. Anywhere from 2 to 7 days is normal.
Signs that your period is on its way are if you've grown underarm and pubic hair. Typically, you'll start your periods about 2 years after your breasts start growing and about a year after getting a white vaginal discharge.
Encourage her to stay active. Regular exercise and stretching will help ease her cramps. Suggest that she lie down and gently rub her abdomen to help relax the muscles. Ask her doctor for a recommendation of herbal remedies or medicines that may relieve symptoms.
Of course, men don't actually have the lovely bonafide PMS related to preparing the uterus and egg for fertilization. But some go through what's called the male PMS: "IMS" (Irritable Male Syndrome). This can be attributed to men experiencing a drop in testosterone, the hormone that gives them their mojo.
Yes, this is perfectly normal. Girls start to produce more vaginal discharge (fluid) as they go through puberty and the hormones in the glands of the vagina and cervix (neck of the womb) begin to work. The fluid helps to keep the vaginal area moist and protects it from damage or infection.
Guys don't have periods because they don't have a uterus, but their bodies develop and change too – the changes are just different. For example: their voice changes and they develop hair on their face and other parts of their bodies. So, although guys don't get periods, their bodies do go through changes too.
