A125 Helping Your Daughter Through Puberty

## Is it Normal?

During puberty, it can be hard to know what’s “normal” and what’s not. In this article we share some of girls’ most common concerns, with expert advice so you can be sure you’re helping your daughter through puberty in the right way – and seeking support when she needs it.

While many of us experience irritability or moodiness during our periods, helping your daughter through puberty means keeping an eye on the extremity of her mood swings.

If she shows ﬁve or more of the following symptoms to a worrying degree, she may have a syndrome called premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD):

- Deep sadness or despair, with possible suicidal thoughts
- Crying
- Fatigue
- Lasting irritability and anger issues
- Disinterest in daily activities and relationships
- Low energy
- Lasting feelings of tension or anxiety
- Trouble thinking or focusing
- Food cravings or binge eating
- Panic attacks
- Feeling out of control or overwhelmed

Thankfully, PMMD can be managed with treatment so, if you think your daughter may be suffering from it, speak to your GP to get a diagnosis.

Extreme mood swings

## What does your first period look like?

Getting your first period is full of excitement and anticipation.

But what does your first period look like? It’s a question on a lot of girls’ minds.

Most girls get their period somewhere between the ages of 10 and 13. Don’t worry if you get yours earlier or later than your friends. Everyone is on their own schedule, and there’s no “good” or “bad” age to get your period. But when it does come, it’s pretty exciting!

You go to the loo – and TA-DA!! There it is. Period blood. But it may not be that straightforward.

[Your first period](/en-gb/period-hub/first-period-and-puberty/what-is-a-period/) (and the next few after that) may just look like brown spotting in your knickers. It’s not the red blood you may have been expecting. So what actually DOES your first period look like?


A017 - What Does Your First Period Look Like?

Read the full article below 

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1 Heavy, painful periods

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Your period will last between 3 to 7 days. Once your menstrual cycle is more predictable, your period will come regularly, about every 28 days. You may want to mark down on a [calendar](/en-gb/period-tracker/) when you get your first period.

This way, you’ll have some idea when your next one will come. Your period will likely be [irregular](/en-gb/period-hub/first-period-and-puberty/home-remedies-for-irregular-periods-in-teenagers/) at first. It’s totally natural. It can take a while for your body to settle into a regular cycle.

A017 - T04 - How long will my period last?

As much as she might not want it to happen, a certain amount of weight gain is normal. Part of helping your daughter through puberty involves providing reassurance that this is natural, because adult women have more body fat than young girls.

However, if she’s gaining a lot of weight, you’ll need to support her in adopting a healthier lifestyle. Rather than focusing on the scales, encourage her to eat well and stay active to keep herself physically (and mentally) ﬁt.

Weight gain during puberty

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Make sure you use the size best adapted to your shape and flow. For additional leakage protection, try a higher size and consider changing your sanitary towel more frequently. Sanitary towels with wings provide a closer fit to you knickers that not only helps keep the pad in place but also keeps it closer to your body’s shape further reducing the risk of leakage. Check out our product recommender to find the best product for your need.

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4 Spotting between periods

A017 What Does Your First Period Look Like?

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A125 - T05 - Weight gain during puberty

Is it Normal?

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A125 - T02 - Hair sprouting everywhere!

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Find helpful resources about periods categorised into subtopics. Get informed with expert insights, navigate your period journey with confidence.

First Period & Puberty

Period Hub: Explore Period Articles by Category | Always UK

Period Hub - PH01 - First Period & Puberty

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A010-T01-Calculate your menstrual cycle

Calculate your menstrual cycle

A010- Related Articles 

6 Early or Late developer

How to Calculate Your Menstrual Cycle

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SmartFoam is a technology that is found only in Always Infinity feminine sanitary towels. It is a soft, very absorbent foam. Its layered structure allows fluid to be quickly drawn from the top of the sanitary towel deep into the bottom layer, where it is stored.

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When you get your first period be sure to [tell your mum](/en-gb/period-hub/first-period-and-puberty/how-to-explain-periods-and-puberty-to-your-daughter/) or a trusted adult. (No one will know you have your period unless you tell them!). It can be good to tell them, so they can help support you and provide you with what you need (period products, tips…).
<br/><br/>
Next, you’ll want to put on a [sanitary towel](/en-gb/feminine-products/sanitary-towels/) in order to absorb period blood and protect your knickers and clothing from it.

A017 - T05 - What to do when I get my first period?

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A010 How to Calculate Your Menstrual Cycle

Now that you know how to calculate your cycle, you may want to stock up on  Always Ultra pads before you think your period will start. They have an absorbent core that turns liquid into gel – and gel can’t leak – so you’ll feel confident and protected on your period. Stash some in your bag or locker so you’ll always be prepared.

A010 - How to Calculate Your Menstrual Cycle Description Content

A010-T03-Calculating your average menstrual cycle length

Calculating your average menstrual cycle length

There’s no need for your daughter to go to the doctor when she gets her ﬁrst period. However, you should book an appointment if she:

- Has severe [menstrual cramps](/en-gb/period-hub/symptoms-explained/why-are-you-tired-before-period/) or any other extreme [pelvic pains](/en-gb/period-hub/symptoms-explained/symptoms-before-your-period/)
- Experiences bleeding that is unusually heavy or lasts more than seven days
- Has vaginal itching, redness, sores, swelling, an unusual odour or discharge
- Is thinking of becoming sexually active and needs to discuss contraception and safe sex habits
- Might be pregnant
- Notices a change in the regularity of her periods after more than a year
- Experiences frequent urination or a burning sensation when she urinates
- Has any injury to her pelvic area
- Has had non-consensual sex or may have been exposed to a sexually transmitted disease.

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 1 Heavy, painful periods

A017 - T02 - How much will I bleed during my first period?

How much will I bleed during my first period?

A010-T02-How to count the days in your menstrual cycle 

How to count the days in your menstrual cycle 

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The frequency with which you change your sanitary pad depends on your particular flow. The heavier your flow, the more often you should change your sanitary towel to reduce the risk of leaking. The lighter your flow, the less often you may need to change your sanitary towel. It is recommended to change your sanitary towel every four to eight hours.

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A125 - T06 - Early or Late developer

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A017 - T03 - How much blood will I shed?

How much blood will I shed?

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A125 - T04 - Spotting between periods

Spotting between periods

Dr Tariq Miskry

Period Hub - PH01 - First Period and Puberty -  Our most read Articles

Our most read Articles

7 Problems making friends

Now, figuring out when your next period will come is easy as pie. Starting on the first day of your last period, just count out the average number of days between your periods (aka your average cycle length that you calculated) and that gives you the projected start date of your next period.

Voila! Now you know how to calculate your [cycle](/en-gb/period-tracker/). Calculating your period isn’t an exact science but knowing how to calculate your menstrual cycle will give you a good approximation of when your period will come. 

Your period may not come regularly. In fact, when you first start menstruating, it’s totally normal for your period to be irregular. It may take up to a year or two for your body to get into a regular pattern so keep on tracking. 

Did all this make you a little cross-eyed? Don’t worry. You can read up more about this on always.com, so check online and use the period calendar on our website. Knowing how to calculate your__ menstrual cycle__ is a big help for being prepared and confident around your period.

How to know when your next period is due

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A017 - T01 - What will my first period look like

What will my first period look like

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PH00 - A015 How to Manage Period Pain and Cramps

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PH00 - A010 -  How to Calculate Your Menstrual Cycle

Friendships can be a challenging part of puberty. Your daughter may not be particularly sociable, but if she seems generally happy there’s no need to worry. However, if she ﬁnds social situations tough, these tips on how to help your child through puberty can help:

Encourage her to plan an activity – like having a sleepover with a friend or playing football in the park.

Give your daughter lots of praise for her efforts to help build her self- esteem.

If she lacks conﬁdence, help her identify other kids who share similar interests, or suggest she joins a club where she might meet like-minded people.

Try not to pressure her about friends or constantly discuss the situation.

Problems making friends

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We share some of girls’ most common concerns, with expert advice so you can be sure you’re helping your daughter through puberty in the right way!

Helping Your Daughter Through Puberty

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What Does Your First Period Look Like?

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