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In general, the puberty and the menstrual cycle are genetically and hormonally determined and different girls can have different development. In different countries periods are starting at 11 -17 (depending on physical development, hormones, genetics, country location, etc). It is very personal and pre-menstrual "signals" (strange discharges, breast tense, abdomen pain, etc.) can come 1-2 days or 2-3 months or 11-12 months in advance. Some girls don’t have any pre-menstruation "signals". It depends how sensitive are you and how fast your hormones will jump up. Just don't be stressed because stress itself could make a delay. Everything has it’s time. If you would not have your cycle up to 17 – better visit your doctor.
First period usually occurs about two years after your breasts develop and between 4 and 6 months after the growth of your pubic and underarm hair.
You will probably feel some moderate symptoms when you first get your period. You may notice that you feel bloated or uncomfortable – this is caused by water that your body retains during menstruation. Other signs of menarche include a slight headache, leg ache or backache for a few hours. The most common symptom of menarche is cramping. You may feel abdominal cramping, similar to a stomachache for the first few days of your period.
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Try taking an over-the-counter pain medication, such as Advil or Tylenol, for the pain. You may notice some emotional changes too before your period. You may feel tense, angry, or sad because of the hormones your body is releasing. Don’t get too discouraged. These symptoms won’t last long.
Menstrual cycle is very specific and individual, and can range 24 days to 37 days. Duration is not so important but the regularity is very important. At the beginning cycles could be not regular or not intensive enough – it is a period of development. From age 18-20 usually cycles are already fully developed and periods should be very regular. Just remember – normal cycle is what is normal for your body. The length of your cycle may be affected by many things, including illness, stress, emotions, travel, medication, drugs, inflammations and some other factors.
Some girls feel not comfortable and worried about their body development. Nothing is wrong with you. As it was already mentioned, the puberty and the menstrual cycle are genetically and hormonally determined and different girls can have different development. Different persons in different countries with different physical development can have their first period from 11 to 17. It is very personal.
Sometimes young girls have difficult period from first menstruation up to fully developed regular menstrual cycles. It will take some time to fully develop the mature regular menstrual cycle. Just be patient. Usually by 18-20 year the menstrual cycle will be fully developed, your hormones will develop own (personal) cycle and your menstrual cycle will be regular.
If you already had your first period – Congratulations! You are becoming a woman. Lean more about menstrual products (pads, tampons, cups, etc.)
It is really pretty useful to use menstrual calendar which will help you to control your menstrual cycle and monitor all your feelings related to the menstrual cycle.
| Please click here to see menstrual calendar example. |
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| Please click here to print empty example for you |
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10 Things You Need to Know About Periods (from Tina Kells)
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Most girls get there first period between the ages of 11 and 15, but it is not abnormal to be as old as 18 or as young as 10.
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For the first few years most girls have irregular periods; it is not unusual to miss your period for months at a time or to have 2 periods very close together.
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Periods work on 28 day cycles, this means you can expect 13 periods in a year.
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PMS is not a myth but it has been exaggerated. It is more physical than emotional and includes things like bloating, cramping, water retention, elevated body temperature, and skin break outs.
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It is possible, although highly unlikely, to get pregnant if you have unprotected sex during your period. |
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Cramps our real and for some girls they are severe enough to warrant missing school or other activities; Ibuprofen (Advil®), Acetaminophen (Tylenol®), Naproxen Sodium (Aleve®) or Motrin® can help ease the pain.
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Birth control pills can ease severe cramps and make irregular periods regular.
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Using tampons does not mean you are no longer a virgin.
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Tampons should not be left in for more than 8 hours; extended use can cause the disease called "Toxic Shock Syndrome" (TSS).
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A period is part of the regular fertility cycle in females; it is merely the expulsion of an unfertilized egg along with uterine wall tissue and blood. Although it seems as if you lose a lot of blood you really only lose between 4 - 6 tablespoons, the rest is tissue and water.
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