Welcome to the tribe
So you’re here to learn what a period is, so let’s start with the basics. Simply put, a period is when a woman bleeds from her vagina for a few days each month – welcome to puberty! If you’re feeling anxious or nervous about it, don’t worry because you’re not alone. You’re now in the most exclusive but universal club you’ll ever be a part of. After you’ve had a few periods, it’ll just become a part of normal life.
Each month your uterus (or womb) produces tissue in case a fertilised egg arrives there that develops into a baby – it all happens because of a change in hormone levels which is completely normal. If sperm doesn’t fertilize that egg to make a baby, your body will shed the tissue as blood that you see each month. This is called menstruation – don’t worry about all this period slang as there’s a lot to remember. Your period can last from three to eight days but everyone’s different.
When will I have my first period?
This will usually happen during puberty, which can begin between around the ages of 10 and 15 in most girls with the majority having regular periods by 16-18. You know the signs – breasts begin to grow, more hair appears on your arms and legs, pubic hair starts appearing and later on there will probably be white discharge in your underwear. It should be around this time you’ll get your first period and you’ll probably know it’s coming because you might start having symptoms you haven’t experienced before. This is called premenstrual syndrome (PMS for short) and they’ll be things like cramps in your stomach – better known as period pain – moodiness, bloating, backache and spots on your face. We know all about PMS, so take a look at our seven easy ways to ease PMS to help you along the way.
How much blood is normal?
There’s never going to be a normal because all of our bodies are different. Most people with a womb will bleed about two to three tablespoons each cycle (it looks like a lot but it’s not) – and it’s normal to bleed more heavily at the beginning of your period. If you think your bleeding is getting out of control (it’s super heavy for more than four days), just go to your GP and have a chat because they’ll be able to ease your mind or investigate further.
What does a menstrual cycle mean?
There’s four phases of a menstrual cycle, but we’re not here to school you up on them as it’s pretty complicated. Put simply, the menstrual cycle happens each month and as a result your body goes through changes. These changes happen just in case of a pregnancy, and start from day one of your period to the first day of your next one.
Each month, one of your ovaries will release an egg (ovulation) whilst hormonal changes are happening to prepare the uterus for a pregnancy. But if the egg isn’t fertilized, the lining of the uterus sheds and is your monthly period.
What else do I need to know about periods?
We could talk for hours about periods, but remember it’s nothing to be embarrassed about and don’t let anyone period shame you because it’s one of the most natural things that will ever happen to you. Periods shouldn’t get in the way of exercising, having fun and enjoying life but if it's getting in the way of that, make sure you speak to someone you trust.
Now you’re clued up on all things periods, let’s break down the taboo walls and get talking to each other about periods – because the more we talk, the more we learn.
