Puberty

Many girls prefer to use pads when they first get their period, but you can choose pads or tampons. Tampons are great for sport or swimming, and generally become more popular once girls get the hang of having their periods. If you’re new to tampons you could try a U By Kotex® mini tampon which is smaller than the others.

One thing your family and friends might notice is any mood swings you get, but these are perfectly normal. Some girls worry that others might be able to 'smell' their period, while it’s true that menstrual blood does have a slight aroma it’s nothing anyone else will notice as long as you shower and change your pads regularly.

The start of the menstrual cycle varies from girl to girl so if you're late don’t worry! While most girls get their first period around the ages of 12 or 13, some can be as young as 9 or as old as 16 (occasionally up to 18). If you do have concerns speak to your parents who can sort a visit to the doctor to help ease your mind.

You've probably heard a million terrible jokes about PMS. PMS (Pre-Menstrual Syndrome), also known as PMT (Pre-Menstrual Tension), can have a real negative effect on your mood. You might get cranky and moody for no apparent reason. Don’t fret – your hormones are going a bit crazy because your period is on its way. You may also be moody because of the period pain. It’s also common to have tender breasts around the beginning of menstruation. Another common period symptom is the pain in your stomach, back or thighs that is caused by menstrual cramps (often also referred to as period pain).
All these symptoms are perfectly normal and natural. Some girls suffer more than others. If you don’t notice these symptoms then count yourself lucky! But if these symptoms are so bad that you can’t focus on anything else, make sure you get help from your doctor. There are ways to ease the pain and make yourself feel more comfortable.

It can be pretty gross, but those spots are just the ejected blood from the lining of your womb. The blood could look anywhere from bright red to dark brown, which is perfectly normal. The amount of menstrual blood you have is different for each woman but most have heavier bleeding at the start, and then it lightens up until it’s all done. Sanitary products like tampons, pads and liners come in a range of absorbencies. This is so you can use the ‘super’ absorbency products for heavy days, ‘regular’ for medium flow and ‘mini’ for light days.

Around 1 in 3 girls experience an irregular period at some point – it’s actually pretty common and normally not a reason to worry! An irregular period is any type of bleeding that is unusual when compared to your normal cycle. This can include a late period, an early period or bleeding between periods. If you have just started to get your period then don’t worry if it’s a little irregular, as you get older they start to arrive like clockwork. Normally irregular periods correct themselves over time, however if you have had irregular periods for a year or more, it is best to get some advice from your doc as there could be an underlying illness causing the problem.

There's nothing worse than being caught off guard by your period! It’s best to keep some products in your bag for when it arrives. We recommend the U by Kotex® Ultrathin Pads (an easy option) or try tampons – starting with the smaller ones is usually easier as they tend to be less difficult to insert.
Getting your first period doesn’t need to be a big drama – so get organised, not worried! Remember that you’re not the first or the last woman to go through rite of passage, even though it may feel like a big change!

Girls can start their periods (also referred to as menstruation) any time between 8 and 18 years old, but most girls start their menstrual cycle between the ages of 11 and 14. You might have mixed emotions about getting your period. Some girls can’t wait to start their periods and feel left out if they haven’t got theirs, especially if all their girlfriends have. Whereas other girls would be perfectly happy to be get theirs at an older age. There is no way to make your period come sooner or delay it from happening. Don’t panic if you haven’t started your period yet – it will happen when your body is ready.

Your period marks the beginning of your menstrual cycle which on average lasts around 28 to 30 days, but as none of us are the same this can range from 21 to 35 days. Your actual period (when you bleed) will last for between 3 -5 days. When your period starts it’s a good idea to make a note of the date (you can even download a smartphone app for it!) which will help you figure out your menstrual cycle and when next to expect your period. Simple!

Once menstrual fluid comes in contact with air, it can start to smell a bit icky – definitely not something you want! The aim of the game is to feel fresh all day long, so changing your pad every four hours or so is ideal. If you’ve got a heavier flow, then it may need to be changed more often. Every girl is different.

Around half of women in the world suffer from period pain, otherwise known as cramps, but the actual 'bleeding' part of your period doesn't hurt. Cramps are normally a dull ache just below your stomach and around your lower back, which you’ll experience during the lead up and first few days of your period. Cramps tend to affect younger woman and girls more and get less painful with age. There are a few things that you can do to help make your period cramps easier to bear. Treat yourself to a hot bath, or use a hot water bottle. Exercise, painkillers and vitamin supplements can also do a world of good.

You absolutely can! A proof way to keep track of your period is to mark it on a calendar. There are plenty of smartphone apps available which can track your period. This will help you figure out how long your menstrual cycle is, which will help you predict when your next period is due. You do have to deal with menstruation, but you don’t have to let it catch you by surprise.

A nice warm hot water bottle will help; in fact, any kind of heat is probably going to ease this ache, so a nice relaxing bath will also help reduce the pain you are feeling from any period cramps. Having your period is the best reason to get pampered. Because let's face it, you deserve it! Exercise is also a great way to relieve period cramps as it helps relieve stress and tension in muscles. There are lots of over the counter painkillers that help with period cramps, a quick visit to your pharmacy or even local supermarket should kit you out perfectly. If your period cramps are really sore, so much so that you can’t go to school or do everyday things, you should go see your doc. They might even prescribe the Contraceptive Pill which has also been known to regulate periods and make period cramps less severe.

The vagina is the passage that connects a girls reproductive system (uterus) to the outside of her body. The vagina is where your monthly menstrual fluid leaves your body, as well as where a baby leaves the mothers body at the end of pregnancy. It is also where the penis enters the female body during sex and where you'd place a tampon during your period.

Your period is one stage of your menstrual cycle which is part of the female reproductive system, ultimately it’s about having children. Although having babies is probably the last thing on your mind right now, that’s exactly what your body is preparing for! When you reach puberty your ovaries will begin to ripen eggs and release these each month which travel down to the uterus (womb). The lining of the uterus thickens so it can provide nutrients for a fertilised egg. If the egg is not fertilised (during sex), the extra lining of the uterus will break down and come out through the vagina – which is your period, ta-da!

Not long enough, for some of us. On average, a menstrual cycle lasts around 28 to 30 days, but because we’re all different, a cycle can range from 21 to 35 days. Days 1-7 is when the bleeding will happen so you'll need to use either a tampon or pad during these days. The flow will be heavier at the beginning and become much lighter towards the end of this stage. Then the cycle starts all over again.

Most girls get their first period around the ages of 12 or 13, but some can be as young as 9 or as old as 16 (occasionally up to 18). There are some signs that will indicate your period might be on it's way such as white vaginal discharge (which is perfectly normal!), cramps in your lower stomach and back, mood swings (you might feel upset for no reason) and bloating. These are all perfectly normal and something you shouldn't be worried about. Your period will come once puberty has started, so you may notice other signs first, like developing breasts, pubic hair and pimples as well a rapid growth in your height and weight.

Puberty is when a girls or boys body starts to change in preparation for adulthood. Puberty is different for everyone - different girls develop at different stages. There are a number of changes which will let you know that puberty has started for you, such as rapid growth in height and weight, developing breasts, pubic hair and pimples (bummer!). You can checkout a full list of the changes in our Female Puberty section.

If you know your period is due, it’s a good idea to wear a U by Kotex® Liner  just in case. If you do get caught by surprise, ask one of your friends if they have a pad or tampon, or talk to your teacher or school nurse. Most schools have a few spares. If all else fails, pop some folded tissue or toilet paper in your undies until you can get a pad or tampon.

Yes, a tampon does not affect your virginity. The hymen that partially covers the vaginal opening (usually intact for girls who have not had sex) is large enough to accommodate a tampon without being affected.