Teenage girl packing her school backpack

If you’re looking to learn more about when to expect your first period or how to manage it, being prepared can help you feel more confident. Knowing what to expect and having accurate information can help reduce worries as puberty progresses and you start to notice signs that your first period may be approaching. Starting your period is a normal part of puberty and an important stage of development. Read our first period guide to learn more about what to expect and how to feel prepared for your first period.

Table of content:

What exactly is a period?

There’s a lot to understand about the menstrual cycle and periods, but basically, a period is something that begins to happen a couple of years after puberty begins.

When someone has a period, blood and tissue from the lining of the uterus are released through the vagina. Periods typically last between 3–7 days, although cycles can be irregular at first, especially in the early years after puberty. It’s called the menstrual cycle because it is a pattern that repeats over time. Although it may feel unfamiliar at first, periods are a completely normal part of development and are experienced by around half of the world’s population. For many people, having periods is a sign that the body is developing and hormones are working as expected during puberty.

Why do girls get periods?

The whole reason people go through puberty is to be able to reproduce in the future (to continue the human species!). If you have a uterus and vagina, you have the potential to grow a baby. A period is a sign that your uterus (the place inside the female body where babies grow) is beginning to prepare for the possibility of pregnancy. It does so by forming a thick, lush lining where a baby could grow. If there’s no pregnancy, the uterus releases the lining as a period, then it starts creating a new, fresh lining over the next 3-5 weeks. If there’s no pregnancy, there’s another period, and so the cycle continues. Periods happen this way from puberty until menopause, which is when the menstrual cycle stops around age 50. Have a look at this guide to learn more about periods and the menstrual cycle.

When will I get my first period?

As a doctor, one of the most common questions I hear from young girls is, “When to expect first period?”. Although there’s no crystal ball to tell you exactly when you’ll start, there are definitely some signs to look out for that your first period is on its way. 

It’s normal to get your first period as young as age nine or as old as age 16, but the average age that most people start their periods is around age 12. Your age has a lot less to do with your first period than the way your body is changing during puberty.

Your first period marks the start of your menstrual cycle, although it can take time for periods to become regular. In the early months or years after your first period, ovulation (when an egg is released from the ovary) may not happen every cycle. However, pregnancy is still possible once periods begin. The timing of your first period varies from person to person and can be influenced by factors such as genetics, body weight, overall health and physical activity.

What are the symptoms and signs your first period is coming soon?

The best way to predict when your first period might start is to look out for the changes happening in your body during puberty. So, what are the signs your first period may be approaching? Changes such as breast development, pubic hair growth and getting taller can all be clues that your body is developing.

For many people, periods begin around one and a half to three years after breasts start developing, once pubic hair is more established, and often around six months after a growth spurt in height. However, everyone develops at their own pace, so there’s no way to predict exactly when your first period will arrive. It might still come as a bit of a surprise — which is why it can help to be prepared, just in case.

Some people notice changes in their body before their first period starts, while others may not notice any symptoms at all. Possible signs your first period may be approaching can include:

  • mild lower tummy (abdominal) cramps
  • bloating or feeling puffy due to fluid retention
  • temporary changes in weight or tummy shape
  • mood changes
  • breast tenderness or soreness
  • changes in the skin, such as spots or oily skin
  • These changes can happen before a first period and may also occur before later periods as part of the menstrual cycle. However, it’s also completely normal not to notice any symptoms before your first period starts.

What will my first period look like?

You already know that a period is when blood and tissue from the lining of the uterus are released through the vagina – but what exactly will that feel like? Does it come out quickly or slowly? How much blood will there be? How long does a period last? Will it hurt? What does period blood look like? It’s completely normal to have lots of questions, so keep reading to learn more about what to expect when your period starts.

You might expect period blood to look exactly like fresh blood, but it can actually vary quite a bit in colour and consistency. Sometimes period flow looks thinner or thicker than fresh blood. First periods can sometimes appear as a small amount of dark red, brown or reddish-brown staining in your underwear.

The colour of period blood can vary from bright or deep red to maroon, brown or almost black. This is completely normal and usually reflects how long the blood has been in the uterus or vagina before leaving the body. Older blood tends to look darker than fresh blood, which is why brown or darker blood is common, especially at the beginning or end of a period.

In most cases, changes in the colour of period blood are completely normal, so if you notice brown staining in your underwear, it may simply mean your first period is starting.

Remember that everyone’s first period is different. A first period will often last between 3 and 7 days and may be lighter than later periods, although this can vary. It’s also common for periods to be irregular during the first few months or even years after they begin.

Still wondering what your first period might look like? First periods can vary a lot — they may be light or heavier, short or longer-lasting, regular or irregular. Everyone’s experience is different.

One important thing to know is that if your period has not started by age 16, or if you are concerned about delayed puberty, it’s a good idea to speak to a healthcare professional such as your GP or a gynaecologist.

How much blood during first period?

First of all, period blood usually comes out gradually over several days rather than all at once. It’s not a steady stream like when you pee, and the flow can vary from day to day. Although everyone’s period is a little different, most people lose an average of around six to eight teaspoons of menstrual blood over the course of a period.

It’s common for the first day or two to be a little heavier, with the flow often becoming lighter towards the end of a period. Because flow can change throughout your period, many people choose to use different absorbencies or types of period products, such as pads, tampons or menstrual cups, on different days.

How long does first period last?

On average, periods last anywhere from three to seven days, although this can vary from person to person. After you’ve had a few periods, you’ll start to learn what is normal for your body. It’s also common for periods to be irregular or vary in length during the first few months or years after they begin.

If you’re wondering how long a first period lasts, the answer is that everyone is different. Paying attention to changes in your cycle can help you understand what feels normal for you, and if you have concerns about very heavy bleeding, severe pain or periods that seem very irregular, it’s always okay to speak to a healthcare professional.

Will first period hurt?

Since periods involve blood, it seems only natural to think that they might hurt. The good news is that first periods usually don’t hurt! In fact, you might even start your first period and not even know it until you see it. Some people have menstrual cramps, which involve a mild crampy feeling in the lower abdomen. Cramps happen because the uterus is made of muscle, and muscles can cramp when they’re working hard. There are lots of ways to ease cramps, though, so your period doesn’t slow you down.

Should I use pads or tampons during first period?

Obviously, if you have period blood coming from your vagina, you’ll want to do something to stop it soaking through your clothes. That’s where pads and tampons come in! A pad is an absorbent product that sticks to the inside of your underwear and absorbs period blood as it leaves the body. A tampon is a period product that sits inside the vagina and absorbs menstrual flow before it leaves the body.There are lots of different sizes of pads and tampons. Larger sizes are good for heavier period flow, and smaller sizes are best for lighter flow.

A lot of people think you have to use pads when you get your first period, but there’s no reason why you can’t use a tampon if you want to. It’s your choice! Both pads and tampons are safe, even for your first period. The most important thing is to know how to use them properly and safely. You can learn how to insert a tampon here.

How often should your period come?

After your first period, your second one can be pretty unpredictable. Most people expect it to come one month after the first period, but in reality, it's pretty normal for it to happen anywhere from three weeks to three months after your first period.

Once you’ve had a few periods, the best way to predict future ones is to write down the dates of every period you’ve had and count how many days there are from the start of one period to the start of the next.

This can help you work out the length of your cycle. You’ll usually need to have had a few periods before you start to notice a pattern, but tracking your periods can be really helpful for feeling prepared and understanding what is normal for your body.

Over time, you may begin to notice how often your period tends to come. Once periods become established, menstrual cycles commonly occur every 21–35 days, although it’s very common for cycles to be irregular in the first few years after periods begin.

When you keep track of your periods like that, it’s called “period tracking”. There are lots of ways to track your periods – you can write them on a calendar, in a journal or notebook, or use a period tracker. Just make sure you record the day you start and every day you have flow. You may also want to note when your flow is heavy and when it is light. This is the best way to know your flow so you can be aware and prepared!

Are there any other period signs?

Besides tracking the timing of your cycle, some people notice certain signs that their period may be approaching. These symptoms are caused by hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle and can include bloating, mood changes, food cravings, breast tenderness, headaches or menstrual cramps. Within a day or two after the period begins, these symptoms disappear naturally. If you experience some or all of these signs before most of your periods, you may have a condition called premenstrual syndrome or PMS.