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First Period & Puberty

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

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There are a number of ways you can prevent and stop cyberbullying.

- Ask for help

  Don’t be afraid to talk to your parents, teachers or a trusted adult. They can offer you support, advice and help you to report what’s happening to the relevant websites or social media platforms. Talking to others about how you’re feeling can also help you feel less alone.

  You can also contact independent support services, such as Childline which is available online at [childline.org.uk](https://www.childline.org.uk/ "Childline"), or via phone on 0800 1111 if you are under 19 years of age.

- Adjust your privacy settings

  You can adjust your privacy settings to stop unwanted messages coming through, or so that only people you know and trust can see what you post. If you’re struggling to do so, ask a parent or teacher to help.

- Avoid retaliation

   It can be difﬁcult but try not to respond by sending the cyberbully similar posts or spreading rumours about them, it will only make you fall into a horrible trap of becoming a cyberbully yourself. Instead, make sure you’re spending time ofﬂine with the people you care about.

A154 - T05 - How to stop cyberbullying

How to stop cyberbullying

A013 How to Start Your Period

A012 - FC04 - Is spotting normal?

Is spotting normal?

Generally, you may experience discomfort as your uterus contracts to get rid of its lining. Most women find this more painful during their teenage years, then report having it less severely as they age. The risk is usually higher if you started menstruating before you turned 11, have long or heavy periods, or have a lot of stress in your life.

You can ease the pain by putting a heating pad on your lower belly or back, or with over-the-counter pain-killers, such as ibuprofen, naproxen or acetaminophen. If these medicines do not help over time, you should make an appointment to see your doctor.

Some women also find that hormonal changes related to menstruation make their moods, acne or migraines more severe.

If your period interferes with your ability to go to school or enjoy other everyday activities, you should see your doctor.

A037 - T06 - How will my first period feel?

How will my first period feel?

A137 Different types of vaginal discharge. What are they and what do they mean?

Period Hub - PH05 - Pregnancy

Pregnancy

Stay hydrated

A012 - Flash Cards - Why Am I Bleeding Before My Period Is Due?

## 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/ "Your first 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 

MCBLA06 - How to Prevent Period Leaks?

How to Prevent Period Leaks?

CAP01 - Healthy & unhealthy behaviours in teenage relationships | Always

Read

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A045 - Caurosal - Why is my period late? 10 Reasons for a Late Period

Why is my period late? 10 Reasons for a Late Period

PRFPEA01 - Tampons vs. Pads 

Tampons vs. Pads

Menstrual cramps occur when the lining of the uterus, which has built up in preparation for pregnancy, needs to flake off and leave the body. For this to happen, the uterine muscles alternately contract and relax. These contractions can in turn cause crampy menstrual pains. Not everyone experiences these. Some feel only slight discomfort, while others experience pain in the lower abdomen or sharp pain radiating to the legs and back. Other symptoms that may accompany menstrual pain include:<br/>
- nausea,
- vomiting,
- diarrhoea.
<br/>
However, it is important to remember that although menstrual pain is common, acute pain caused by these cramps is not. You should consult your doctor if you have acute pain, if it impedes your daily functioning or if it intensifies over time. These symptoms may suggest that there are other factors behind what appears to be normal, expected menstrual pain.

A015 - T02 - Why period cramps happen and how do you know it's it?

Why period cramps happen and how do you know it's it?

A060 What are Periods Called in Other Countries?

What are Periods Called in Other Countries?

A065 What is PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome)?

My Period category icon

DDA03 - Is it Normal to Have a Lot of Discharge?

Lot of discharge

A061 Don’t Be Worried about Your First Gynaecological Examination

You might also want to start wearing an [Always Dailies](/en-gb/feminine-products/panty-liners/ "Always Dailies") pantyliner in the run up to your period so you don’t get caught off guard when it arrives.

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## Your period is supposed to come once a month, right? After all, that’s why it gets called your monthly visitor.

But there's much more to the story. Often, [your period](/en-gb/period-hub/first-period-and-puberty/first-period-symptoms/ "Your period") doesn't actually come on the same day of each calendar month. In other words, it won't come on, say, the 14th of every month.
<br/><br/>
Understanding when your period is supposed to come is pretty simple once you get the hang of it, but it takes some figuring out. So, if it’s not coming every month on the dot, how often is a [period](/en-gb/period-hub/first-period-and-puberty/when-is-my-next-period-due/ "Period")?

A033 How Often Is a Period?

Read the full article below

A123 - T01 - Encourage the growth mindset

Encourage the growth mindset

A090 Your Guide to Breast Development During Puberty

Your Guide to Breast Development During Puberty

A120 How To Talk To Your Daughter About Sex

How To Talk To Your Daughter About Sex

There are six main energy-draining culprits that lead to PMS fatigue.

- Hormonal fluctuations – Oestrogen usually acts as a stimulant, but its levels drop significantly after you ovulate, depriving you of its energy. At the same time, your levels of feel-good serotonin also dip, leaving you without its mood-boosting effects as well. Meanwhile, the calming effects of progesterone begin to kick in, which makes you feel more mellow.

- Energy burning – When you ovulate, your body temperature rises and your body starts burning more energy in preparation for pregnancy. For the next few days, your basal metabolic rate can go up by 9 percent, draining your energy. This all adds up to making you feel more tired.

- Anaemia – If your periods are heavy, you lose a lot of blood, which could lead to an iron deficiency in your red blood cells. This makes it difficult for your tissues to get the oxygen they need, meaning your cells need to work harder to function normally.

- Giving in to other symptoms – You’re sore and you’re hungry. You’re not sleeping well and you feel bloated. It’s no wonder you’re not jumping for joy. All these factors may stop you from exercising, which would make you feel rejuvenated. It is hard to get motivated when faced with these factors.

- Cravings – Your fluctuating hormones may have convinced you to binge on chocolate or other sugary foods, triggering a sugar high that is followed by a crash. This cycle can repeat itself unless you recognise it and actively switch to healthier alternatives.

- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) – If you are experiencing severe emotional lows, this acute form of PMS may be to blame. In addition to physical symptoms, you may find yourself crying, lashing out at others, feeling out of control or losing interest in things that used to bring you joy. If this happens monthly, you should see a doctor.

A149-T02-Can PMS cause fatigue?

Can PMS cause fatigue?

Don’t Be Worried about Your First Gynaecological Examination

Different types of Discharge

How Often Is a Period

PH05 - ADP -  Pregnancy Vaginal Discharge - Related Articles

PE01 - What is a Period?

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As long as your discharge is not itchy, smelly, or greenish-brown coloured, it is perfectly normal. Signs to look out for are cramping, pelvic pain or bleeding during sex, spots, weight gain, fever, or – as mentioned earlier – strange smells. This may indicate an underlying medical condition or serious hormonal imbalance that requires treatment.

These include things such as ovarian cysts, polycystic ovary syndrome, and cervical cancer (infection should be in this list as would be most common). These are rarely the cause, and they are often accompanied by other symptoms, so please don’t worry, but it is always worth getting the opinion of a medical professional.

A101 - T03 - When Should I Be Concerned About Brown Discharge?

When Should I Be Concerned About Brown Discharge?

A101 Should I Be Worried About Brown Discharge?

Should I Be Worried About Brown Discharge?

Caffeine tends to make your blood vessels constrict and can constrict the uterus. This can make cramping feel more intense.

During your [period](/en-gb/period-hub/first-period-and-puberty/first-period-symptoms/ "First period symptoms"), skip the morning coffee and opt for a herbal tea instead! If you need to start your day with coffee, try decaffeinated coffee during your period. If you rely on caffeine all day, then to beat the afternoon slump, have a protein-rich snack or go for a brisk 10-minute walk. This will give you a boost of energy.

Skip the caffeine

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A083 - T08 - Your first period

Your first period

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Put quite straightforwardly, brown discharge is caused by bits of blood getting caught up in your discharge, leaving your body. Here is a list of possible reasons why you might be experiencing brown discharge every once in a while:

- __You Have Just Finished Your Period__ Thick brown discharge is often a sign that your body is cleaning itself by flushing out residual blood from your period. Bits may come out with your discharge in the days after you think your period has ended. Older blood tends to turn more brownish. You might see this during your period when the blood is a bright red in the first few days and becomes browner a few days in. See this as a positive thing, as it means that your body is doing a good job of keeping clean.

- __You Are About To Ovulate__ Brown sticky discharge can also occur due to the hormonal changes your body experiences during ovulation. Oestrogen levels rise, prompting your body to release an egg from your ovaries, so the change in discharge texture is completely normal.

- __It’s Not You, It’s Your Birth Control__ Random brown discharge can be your body’s reaction to a new birth control pill or you might have forgotten to take your pill for a few days recently. This is thanks to the hormonal changes, and the spotting should stop as your body adjusts. If you have forgotten to take your birth control pill it’s important to start taking it as soon as possible and consider emergency contraception if you have had intercourse.

- __Your Cervix is Irritated__ The cervix is fairly sensitive, so anything from a slightly careless pelvic examination to vigorous bedroom antics can be causes of brown discharge.

- __You Are Stressed or Depressed__ Stress and depression can cause the lining of the uterus to thin, and parts of it to come away at unexpected times. Try to identify and remove the cause of stress from your life. Take some time out to relax or, if it feels more serious, see a doctor about the way you are feeling. With the right self-care and support, this brown discharge should clear up.

A101 - T01 - What Causes Brown Discharge?

What Causes Brown Discharge?

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.

How do I avoid leaks?

While puberty is often an exciting time, it can be difﬁcult to know what to do when your daughter gets her period early or late. Click here for our tips!

A124 What To Do When Your Daughter Gets Her Period Early Or Late?/period-hub/first-period-and-puberty/

What To Do When Your Daughter Gets Her Period Early Or Late?

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A052 - T02 - What does menstruation feel like?

What does menstruation feel like?

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The menstrual cycle is affected by various diseases:

- thyroid diseases,
- pituitary tumours,
- adrenal diseases,
- ovarian cysts,
- liver dysfunction,
- coeliac disease,
- diabetes.

A045 - T04 - SUB08 -  Diseases

8. Diseases

A012 - FC05 - What increase spotting

What increase spotting

Puberty is a time full of exciting changes.

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MCBLA03 - Symptoms of an abnormal period

Symptoms of an abnormal period

Maybe you made a mistake counting the days since your last period, so you think why is my period delayed, when in fact, it’s right on schedule.

The average [menstrual cycle](/en-gb/period-hub/first-period-and-puberty/menstrual-cycle-phases "Menstrual cycle") is 28 days. But most women’s cycles are slightly longer or shorter than this. If your period is just two days late, it may be a result of normal cycle fluctuations from month to month.

Many women have slightly irregular cycles with one month being on, say, a 27-day cycle and the following month a 29-day one. This means that if the previous month’s period came “early”, the next month may seem like it’s “late.” It happens to the best of us.

A045 - T04 - SUB02 -  Miscalculation or normal fluctuation?

2.  Miscalculation or normal fluctuation?

One common cause of late periods is [Polycystic Ovary Syndrome](/en-gb/period-hub/symptoms-explained/ovarian-cysts-causes-treatment-and-prevention/ "Polycystic Ovary Syndrome"), aka PCOS, a condition that many women and girls experience.

This is when multiple follicular cysts form on the ovaries. These cysts contain eggs. PCOS is associated with hormonal disruption, which means the eggs may not be released, resulting in delayed, infrequent or absent periods.

PCOS is very common, and often the symptoms of PCOS can be managed with medication. Ask your doctor if you’re concerned.

A045 - T04 - SUB06 - PCOS

6. PCOS

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Vaginal discharge during pregnancy: What's normal?

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WHAT'S YOUR FLOW LIKE - HEAVY

### What Happens During a Pelvic Exam
“I love being able to do a girl’s first pelvic, so I can help her to realise that it’s not a big deal,” says gynaecologist Holmes. “First, I show her the speculum we use on teenagers — it’s about the size of a super tampon.”

When it’s time for your first internal pelvic exam, you’ll lie on your back, your bottom near to the end of the examination table. You might need to put your feet into two metal stirrups so that your legs are bent and spread apart. You might be asked to wear a paper robe and you will have a sheet covering you for privacy. There are two parts of the exam:

### Vagina and cervix exam
The gynaecologist will insert a closed speculum — a metal or plastic gadget that looks kind of like tongs — into your vagina. Then the doctor opens the speculum to hold the vaginal walls apart, in order to get a good look inside to make sure that the walls, discharge and cervix look healthy. 

If you are over 25 you will be invited by letter for cervical screening (a smear test) to check the health of your cervix. During the screening appointment, a small sample of cells will be taken from your cervix which is checked for certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) that can cause changes to the cells of your cervix. The smear test will usually be carried out at the GP surgery.

### Bi-manual exam
After removing the speculum, the gynaecologist will slide one or two gloved and lubricated fingers into your vagina. With the other hand, the doctor presses on your abdomen from the outside. In this way, the doctor can check that your fallopian tubes, uterus and ovaries are in the right position, and that there are no swellings or growths. The doctor is also checking for pain. When you book your exam, ask the doctor what you should do if you’re having your period. Some doctors may ask you to reschedule if your period is heavy.

### 3 Ways to Relax During a Gynaecological Exam
A pelvic exam may be uncomfortable, but it shouldn’t be painful. The key is to relax. Dr Holmes offers these tips if you have the jitters during an exam:

- Do deep, slow breathing.
- Let your legs relax and open as far as they will go.
- Don’t squeeze your bottom cheeks together. “If you squeeze your bottom, it squeezes around the speculum,” she says.

### Confidentiality and Talking Honestly
Remember, anything you discuss with your gynaecologist about your body, sex or any other private matter is totally confidential. If your mum comes with you to your visit, the gynaecologist will probably ask her to leave the room while you talk about some of these things. It’s important to be honest because many things can affect your female health — and your health as a whole!

Were you scared about your first gynae [exam](/en-gb/period-hub/symptoms-explained/how-to-check-your-breasts/ "Exam")?

Comfort and effective protection from leakage during your period are fundamental for your confidence and well-being, especially if your periods tends to be heavier. [Always Platinum Size 3](/en-gb/feminine-products/sanitary-towels/always-platinum/always-platinum-night-sanitary-pads-with-wings/ "Always Platinum Size 3") period pads have all that you need and more: soft wings, zero Feel System, an absorbent core and the top sheet is made of a soft non-woven material with hundreds of micro-cushions. Try them out! 

What Happens During a Pelvic Exam

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PUE A01 - Stages of Puberty in Girls

Stages of Puberty in Girls

### Now that you have tips to stay confident, go out and enjoy this journey. You have limitless possibilities ahead of you!

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1. Take up a sport or physical activity

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PE02 - What Does Your First Period Look Like?

First Period, How it looks

A017 What Does Your First Period Look Like?

## Congratulations if you just got your first period!

It’s a big sign that you’re growing up. If you’ve [started menstruating](/en-gb/period-hub/first-period-and-puberty/what-does-your-first-period-look-like/ "Started menstruating") or if you simply want to learn how to use a sanitary pad to get prepared, this article is for you!

Knowing how to use a sanitary pad will give you confidence during your period, while keeping your knickers clean.

A048 How to Use Sanitary Pads

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First Period Stories

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Teach the importance of perseverance

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Irregular periods

Every woman at some point in her life experiences crampy menstrual pains. And how to get reduce period pain and cramps? You can start with warm compresses!

A015 How to get rid of period pain and cramps

How to get reduce period pain and cramps

If there’s a silver lining to getting period cramps, it’s that they often start a day or two before your period.

This gives you a nice (if uncomfortable!) heads up that your period is on its way, and enough time to check if your supply of pads and tampons is fully replenished from last month’s period.

You can also start wearing pantyliners to catch that first bit of period blood when it starts.

A015 - Get prepared

Get prepared


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Calculate your menstrual cycle

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